Edmundo Aja Fleites, founder and chairman of Hodelpa Hospitality, has been recognised for his business career and contributions to tourism in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
The distinction was presented during the inaugural ceremony of the First Ashoresa 2026 Golf Tournament. The sporting competition was organised by the Santiago Province Hotel and Tourism Association, known by its Spanish acronym Ashoresa.
Ashoresa President Lourdes De la Rosa presented the award directly to Aja during the opening event. De la Rosa commended Aja for his legacy of more than four decades of dedicated work in the tourism sector and highlighted his pivotal role in developing the nation's hotel industry.
Following the ceremony, Hodelpa Hospitality celebrated the trajectory of its founder and president of the board of directors. The hotel group stated that Aja's executive leadership has been essential to consolidating the company and expanding its footprint within the Dominican Republic's hospitality industry.
Four decades of Dominican hotel leadership
Hodelpa Hospitality is a major hotel chain based in the Dominican Republic. The company operates full-service hotels, business accommodation, and luxury resort properties across several key destinations, including Santiago and Santo Domingo.
Santiago de los Caballeros, the capital of Santiago Province, is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and serves as the economic and cultural center of the northern Cibao region. The city relies on hospitality providers like Hodelpa to support commercial traffic, medical tourism, and corporate conferences.
Ashoresa functions as the private-sector trade group representing hotel owners, tour operators, and hospitality businesses across Santiago Province. The association works in partnership with local authorities to enhance regional tourism infrastructure and attract investment to northern Dominican Republic.
Inaugural golf tournament at Las Aromas
The First Ashoresa 2026 Golf Tournament brought together more than 100 players alongside local political figures and business leaders. Santiago Mayor Ulises Rodríguez delivered the ceremonial opening tee shot to officially launch the competition.
The tournament was hosted at Las Aromas Golf Course, a signature 18-hole golf facility situated on the hills overlooking Santiago. The club serves as a central venue for local corporate outings, regional tournaments, and recreational sports in the province.
Ashoresa established the inaugural tournament as part of broader initiatives to foster networking among hospitality executives, showcase Santiago's sporting facilities, and promote sustained tourism growth throughout the region.
