Balearic Islands President Tours INFOTEP Hotel School in Sabana de la Mar
International Recognition for Dominican Tourism Training
The Dominican Republic's reputation as a training ground for hospitality talent received a notable boost this month when Margalida Prohens, President of Spain's Balearic Islands, visited the INFOTEP Villa Suiza Hotel School in Sabana de la Mar. According to Dominican Today, Prohens commended the institution's approach to preparing workers for the tourism industry and underlined how essential well-trained staff are to the country's continued success as a Caribbean destination.
During her tour, the Balearic leader was joined by Dominican officials including Maira Morla Pineda and Rafael Santos Badía. She examined the school's curriculum and spoke about the role its graduates play in raising service standards across hotels, restaurants, and resorts throughout the country.
Why This Matters for Visitors
For travelers planning a 2026 trip to the Dominican Republic, this kind of recognition reinforces something many guests already notice on the ground: the level of service at DR resorts, particularly in zones like Punta Cana, Samaná, and Puerto Plata, is increasingly competitive with top destinations worldwide. INFOTEP (the Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional) has been a quiet but important force behind that progress, supplying the front-desk agents, bartenders, chefs, housekeepers, and tour guides who shape day-to-day guest experiences.
The Villa Suiza campus, located in the Samaná province community of Sabana de la Mar, is particularly relevant for visitors heading to Los Haitises National Park, the whale-watching grounds of Samaná Bay, or eco-lodges in the region. Many of the staff serving travelers in this part of the country trained at this very school.
A Sign of Stronger Spain–DR Tourism Ties
The visit also highlights the deep professional connection between the Balearic Islands — home to Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca — and the Dominican Republic. Several major Spanish hotel chains operate large resort portfolios on Dominican shores, making knowledge-sharing between the two regions an ongoing priority for 2026 and beyond.