Banco Popular participates in FITUR 2026 focusing on financing and diversification of the tourism model

Banco Popular Dominicano will participate in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) 2026, which will be held from January 21 to 25 at the IFEMA exhibition center in Madrid, Spain, where it will develop an agenda focused on boosting tourism financing, diversifying the destination, and strengthening strategic institutional relationships for the sector. During the event, Banco Popular will hold more than thirty important work meetings and encounters with leaders and representatives of hotel chains, developers, tour operators, and other key players in the sector. These interactions will be aimed at exploring new investment opportunities and financial support for projects linked to the development and diversification of the tourism offer in the Dominican Republic. The delegation will be headed by the executive president of Banco Popular, Mr. Christopher Paniagua, along with a team of executives from various areas of the financial organization who will hold these meetings with companies and institutions in the tourism industry.

Experience in tourism financing

Since the early 1990s, the vision and strategy of Popular regarding the development potential of Dominican tourism allowed the bank to position itself as the pioneering banking entity in the country in offering financial solutions designed to respond to the specific needs of the sector. As part of this specialized service, the banking entity includes a wide portfolio of financing and structuring options for the construction of hotel infrastructures, the renovation of existing facilities, and support for initiatives aimed at expanding and strengthening the innovation of the country’s tourism proposal. In addition, beyond financial support and reflecting its commitment to the sector, Popular belongs to international and national organizations linked to tourism, being an active member in the country of ASONAHORES (Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic), being at the forefront of the presidency of the Santo Domingo Tourist Cluster and having a presence in other sectoral associations and guilds.

2025, an extraordinary year for tourism

El Popular closes 2025 as a year of extraordinary performance for its tourism portfolio, with relevant operations in different parts of the country. Among them, the structuring that the banking entity carried out in alliance with the Meliá Group to acquire 25% of the stake in the companies that own the Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa and ZEL by Meliá hotels, located in the country, stands out.

This innovative operation, which was completed with long-term financing of US$17 million, won the “Transaction of the Year” award during the 2025 Tourism Investment Forum of ASONAHORES, highlighting that it marks a before and after in the way tourism investments are conceived and executed in the country, consolidating Popular as a regional benchmark in financial structuring for the hotel sector.

Positive Outlook

Within the framework of the 46th edition of FITUR, Popular will present its current approach to tourism financing, aligned with the strategic axes defined by the financial organization, with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and the creation of long-term value for the national economy. The banking entity is positive about the maturity of the Dominican tourism sector and predicts that the Dominican Republic will be the focus of attention for many new international investors, thanks to the strategy of diversification of destinations that the country is promoting.

Presence on international platform

FITUR is one of the main meetings in the tourism sector globally, annually bringing together thousands of professionals, investors, and institutions linked to the industry. In its 2025 edition, the fair registered more than 250,000 visitors from 156 countries, establishing itself as a key platform for the exchange of trends, business opportunities, and international cooperation. The 46th edition of FITUR 2026 incorporates the Knowledge Pavilion as a novelty, a space designed to centralize sectoral debate and technological innovation. This pavilion will integrate specialized sections such as FITUR TechY and FITUR Talent, aimed at addressing key issues such as digitalization, operational efficiency, and the sustainable management of resources in the tourism industry.