Santo Domingo.- Journalist Adrian Morales, author of a feature published in Dominican Today, received a special mention in the “Opinion Journalism” category at the 21st Premio Nacional de Periodismo Turístico Epifanio Lantigua (PEL 2025), organized by the Asociación Dominicana de Prensa Turística (Adompretur), presided by Sarah Hernández.

Morales was recognized for his article, “Influencers, ‘sinvergüencers,’ ‘fakevergüencers,’ and other figures in tourism promotion,” a concise, investigative commentary on influencer-driven tourism marketing. The piece foregrounds the testimony of communications analyst Edgar Argüello, who is credited in the text with coining the terms “sinvergüencers” and “fakevergüencers” to describe social-media actors who trade on apparent authority without professional credentials or ethical grounding. Morales’s analysis critiques how follower counts and viral content can mislead travelers and distort destination narratives, and it urges greater rigor and accountability in tourism communication.

The PEL jury highlighted the article’s clarity, ethical concern and constructive approach. Rather than limit itself to denunciation, the piece combines interviews, evidence and practical recommendations, calling on media, platforms and policymakers to prioritize accuracy, responsibility and sustainable destination stewardship over short-term engagement metrics.

Significantly, the same article had previously received international recognition: in August 2025 it was awarded the “Pasaporte Abierto” prize by the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) at a ceremony in Nariño, Colombia. With this dual recognition, international and national, Morales’s work cements its place among the most relevant and rigorous contributions to tourism journalism in the region.

The special mention at PEL 2025 places Morales among a distinguished group of professionals honored for advancing ethical, critical and inclusive narratives within the tourism sector. The jury’s recognition affirms that the article is not merely an exposé but a call to action: to elevate standards, resist superficial promotional content and reassert the role of quality journalism in shaping meaningful tourism experiences.

For Morales, the acknowledgement represents both a personal milestone and a signal of the growing importance of well-researched commentary in tourism media. “In an age dominated by algorithms and visuals, our profession must reclaim depth, accountability and social responsibility,” he said.

The ceremony, held at the Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel, brought together journalists, communicators, academics and tourism-sector representatives in an atmosphere of recognition, professional pride and celebration of Dominican identity. Under the motto “Somos cultura,” the gala paid tribute to the legacy of Epifanio Lantigua, a pioneer of tourism journalism in the country, and reaffirmed Adompretur’s commitment to ethics, creativity and the social responsibility of communication.

PEL 2025 — Winners and special mentions

• Photography: Special mentions — Ángel Fernández and José Alfredo Mercado.

• Regional Tourism: Winner — Mayerlin Martínez; Special mention — Ramón Ramos Pichardo.

• Arts and Culture: Winner — Elena Crespo.

• Ecotourism: Winner — Karla Alcántara.

• Digital Journalism: Winner — Katheryn Luna; Special mention — Solagel Valdez.

• Gastronomy: Winner — Sudelka García.

• Print and/or Digital Magazine: Winner — Sergio Sid; Special mentions — Odalis Castillo and Ángela Carrasco.

• Audiovisual: Winners — Karelyn Cuevas and Francisco Medrano.

• Opinion Journalism: Winner — Magaly Toribio; Special mention — Adrian R. Morales (Dominican Today).

• Print Journalism: Winner — Karina Jiménez; Special mention — Pedro Martín Sánchez.

• Outstanding Media Outlet of the Year: Infotur Dominicano, directed by Javier Noguera.

• Special Recognition: Tourism Minister David Collado.

• Grand Prize Epifanio Lantigua 2025: Katheryn Luna — RD$85,000 and airline tickets courtesy of Arajet.