Digital communicator and international travel promoter Jhondry Ferreras received the Digital Excellence Award at the SMA Talents Awards 2026 in Santo Domingo on Saturday night, August 15.
Ferreras, who is widely known as El Árabe Dominicano, was recognized for his career, contribution, and impact within the digital ecosystem during the inaugural summit held under the slogan "Create. Connect. Transform."
The gala took place at the Sambil Santo Domingo Convention Centre, bringing together hundreds of content creators, brands, advertising agencies, and industry professionals from across the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.
The awards formed part of the wider SMA Talents Summit 2026, an initiative organized by SMA Group under the leadership of directors Eligio Reyes and Sebastián Cruz.
The event was produced in alliance with TikTokersRD and received official institutional support from the Dominican Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM).
According to a press release, the summit brought together more than 600 content creators and influencers, alongside representatives from TikTok, commercial brands, and national and international exhibitors, to advance the professionalization of the growing sector.
Recognition for the Dominican creator economy
Organizers established the SMA Talents Awards to recognize the career achievements, creativity, innovation, and impact of individuals contributing to the Dominican Republic's digital industry.
As part of the summit agenda, figures from the digital sphere including Julio Lora, Emelyoficial, and Aquaman participated in panel discussions moderated by Alexander Estrella.
Event organizers also presented the SMA Talents App, a new platform designed to strengthen connections and collaboration among content creators across the country.
Upon receiving the distinction, Ferreras thanked the organizers and highlighted the significance of the award in his career. He said the recognition represented much more than a prize, describing it as the validation of years of work connecting the Dominican community with the world through digital communication.
Ferreras also thanked SMA Group, TikTokersRD, and the team behind the summit for providing a space that he said helps professionalize and increase visibility for creators developing projects in the digital ecosystem.
Travel promotion and previous honours
Ferreras has built a career focused on international travel promotion, most notably through his "Dubái Sin Límites" tours, which he has operated since 2017 to take hundreds of Dominicans to visit the United Arab Emirates.
Across his digital channels, he produces content centered on travel, culture, and foreign destinations, with a particular focus on strengthening ties between the Dominican Republic, its diaspora, and the Arab world.
The award marks the latest recognition for the communicator. In 2025, Diplomatic Travel Services named him Best International Travel Agent, and in 2026 he earned an Honorable Mention at the National Youth Award ceremony at the Eduardo Brito National Theatre.
