Yes, it sure seems that way. I don't mind that too much though... But I would hope they would invest some more money into infrastructure here. The main road need new pavement, widening in some areas between Sosua and Puerto Plata, a ring road around Cabarete, nice street lights in the tourist downtown areas and water reservoir. The area is getting a nice road between Santiago and Puerto Plata and hopefully some help with the renovation of the port and new ports that might come. There is only one main road. I am sure that if it were re-paved and maintained, that would give many small investors confidence in the area. As for the beach, a study about the migration of sand might help. People really come for to the beach, weather they swim in it or just take a walk and look at it. A nice beach is what they are coming here for.
Unfortunately, the same people who published the article in this post also made objections which put a stop to the ring road that had presidential approval a few years ago. That proposal also including renovation of Cabarete main street, which would have been very beneficial.