Ambra Attus, Director of Impact, Development and Growth at Aquila
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic – Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence has partnered with Dominican Republic-based tour operator Xploratur to support the development of accessible tourism experiences tailored to the cruise industry.
The collaboration recently resulted in specialized training for Xploratur staff ahead of the launch of “Xploratur Access,” a new division focused on accessible excursions for cruise visitors.
The training session, titled “Excellence for All: Diversity and Inclusion in the Visitor Experience,” was held in Puerto Plata on April 30 and brought together tour guides, drivers and office staff.
According to Aquila, the program was designed to strengthen participants’ ability to deliver inclusive, high-quality experiences that meet the changing expectations of modern travelers.
“We applaud Xploratur for taking meaningful steps to develop accessible tourism experiences and for investing in its team to ensure excellence at every touchpoint,” said Ambra Attus, Director of Impact, Development and Growth at Aquila.
Attus said the initiative demonstrates a commitment to improving service standards while contributing to a more inclusive tourism sector and enhancing the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness as a cruise destination.
The partnership also reflects Aquila’s “people-first” approach, which emphasizes the importance of investing in frontline personnel as part of destination development.
During the hands-on training session, participants engaged in practical exercises focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in tourism, communication with diverse visitors and adapting services in real time to meet guest needs.
By incorporating these practices, Xploratur aims to strengthen the guest experience through Aquila’s “Living Lab” training model, which promotes continuous improvement in tourism services.
“The development of accessible products allows us to offer a value proposition aligned with the expectations of cruise lines,” said Katty Valdez, Managing Director of Xploratur.
“Along the way, we’ve learned that inclusion is not only about having the right equipment, but about how we make people feel in every interaction. Investing in our people is key,” Valdez added.
Aquila serves as the exclusive training partner of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and says it continues to work with destinations and tourism operators worldwide to strengthen cruise tourism standards through training and professional development.
More information about Aquila and its programs is available at Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence.
