The future of Sosua

[CristoRey]

that property is a complete tear down, trees and shrubs are growing out the windows and on the roof.
An Asian gentleman attempted to buy and restart the casino in Cararete a few years ago, once he saw the local occupancy numbers he bailed. I truly cant wait for the Marriott property in Sosua, I hope it is as nice as that super lux Ahnvee place. Did someone say "Infrastructure" and Sosua in the same sentence, part of the Sosua ambiance is the smell of sewage after a heavy rain, I am sure that will be ironed out, those Marriott guests don't mind not flushing or putting toilette tissue in a waste basket.

I'm not saying things will change tomorrow
and not to take this thread off-topic but I remember
having many conversations over breakfast while
living in Sihanoukville, Cambodia with the "die hard"
mongers who lived there for "years" and they all
shared the sentiment as you.

Fast forward 10 years later and if not for a few landmarks
which were grandfathered in, the entire town is unrecognizable.

My point is, if people with real money want to make changes
to some quiet little town with a bunch of mongers running
around pretending like they own the place.. It can happen and
not only can it happen, it can happen so fast it will make your
head spin.

 

[Garyexpat]

It's a combination, if you were investing $.5B would you want YouTube videos of Maria twerking for Tyrone on the beach in the first Google search that pops up. The sleepy little hamlet of Sosua had its day in the spotlight.

To me, the problem with the theory of the investors being the cause to clean up the ho's from Sosua is that it is a nationwide push. Places have been closed in Boca Chica, Santo Domingo, Santiago and of course Cangrejo's Rio Verde establishment. MAYBE there is a additional push because of some pending investors but I do not believe it is the primary motivation of ridding the DR of the sex tourism stigma.

 

[windeguy]

To me, the problem with the theory of the investors being the cause to clean up the ho's from Sosua is that it is a nationwide push. Places have been closed in Boca Chica, Santo Domingo, Santiago and of course Cangrejo's Rio Verde establishment. MAYBE there is a additional push because of some pending investors but I do not believe it is the primary motivation of ridding the DR of the sex tourism stigma.

It does not have to be one or the other. Not Black or White. It can be a combination of both reasons.

 

[Garyexpat]

Yea, I kind of address that in my last statement HOWEVER it is a nationwide push. I do realize that this thread is about Sousa but I often notice that with many threads the opinions people have are based on a limited knowledge of the country as a whole and instead based on a experience of a small geographic area, especially from those on the NC since the majority of those that respond on most topics seem to be living on the NC.

 

[bob saunders]

Arrogant and rude too...

But good to party with.

 

[windeguy]

Yea, I kind of address that in my last statement HOWEVER it is a nationwide push. I do realize that this thread is about Sousa but I often notice that with many threads the opinions people have are based on a limited knowledge of the country as a whole and instead based on a experience of a small geographic area, especially from those on the NC since the majority of those that respond on most topics seem to be living on the NC.

Correct. I have stated "forever" that there was a push from Santo Domingo to reduce the image of prostitution which the government hates. The Attorney General of the DR had press releases on this. They took action in Boca Chica some time ago and I reported on that.

It is a combination of despising the image prostitution puts on the country and in some areas, like Sosua, money to develop an area.

As someone who likes the north coast, what happens in Santo Domingo/Santiago/Punta Cana/Jarabacoa, etc is not of great interest in general to me. I do know the prostitution push is not just in Sosua. And I do know that whore mongers can still find prostitutes, it will just be slightly harder using WhatsApp.

 

[CristoRey]

And I do know that whore mongers can still find prostitutes, it will just be slightly harder using WhatsApp.

There are plenty of places here in Santiago with hookers running
around just as there are in SD and PP, the only difference being,
these not the type of areas to attract gringo mongers or foreign
investment.

 

[Big]

The same story was told to me by the person who was hired to revamp the AI resort in Cabarete.
What the "source" said is very close to what he told me years ago. He told me there would be an action
to diminish the visibility of prostitution before the investors would come in. The story may be a lie, but
I suspect it is real. Stay tuned and see for yourself. You are the last Big doubting Thomas after all.

???? you are joking right. I know of know one that in any way shape or form thinks that Sosua will be anything other than a seedy sex tourist town for the next 10 years. After that well than maybe it will be another Vatican city.

 

[windeguy]

???? you are joking right. I know of know one that in any way shape or form thinks that Sosua will be anything other than a seedy sex tourist town for the next 10 years. After that well than maybe it will be another Vatican city.

I related a story I was told to me by the man who was hired to rebuild the AI resort near Perla Marina a few years back. That story fits perfectly with the story posted on the whore monger site.

I am NOT joking at all. Some people cannot see the forest for the whores.

 

[windeguy]

There are plenty of places here in Santiago with hookers running
around just as there are in SD and PP, the only difference being,
these not the type of areas to attract gringo mongers or foreign
investment.

And they are not a problem. Are they?

Nope.

 

[Big]

I related a story I was told to me by the man who was hired to rebuild the AI resort near Perla Marina a few years back. That story fits perfectly with the story posted on the whore monger site.

I am NOT joking at all. Some people cannot see the forest for the whores.

ok Sir Windguy, I noticed we are spot on concerning many issues, political, financial and otherwise. We just have a difference of opinion on this issue, maybe its a time-line thing.
cheers

 

[windeguy]

ok Sir Windguy, I noticed we are spot on concerning many issues, political, financial and otherwise. We just have a difference of opinion on this issue, maybe its a time-line thing.
cheers

Could be. You are a Big doubting Thomas on most things Sosua. When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

From what I have heard over the years, nothing has surprised me that has happened so far.
It does take more time here, so patience is a virtue.

 

[Big]

Could be. You are a Big doubting Thomas on most things Sosua.

From what I have heard over the years, nothing has surprised me that has happened so far.
It does take more time here, so patience is a virtue.

yes, super super cynical for sure. Especially when I hear things like "hotel xyz" is not chica friendly, when I know factually every place in Sosua that rents IS chica friendly right down to the expensive condos on Airbnb.

 

[windeguy]

yes, super super cynical for sure. Especially when I hear things like "hotel xyz" is not chica friendly, when I know factually every place in Sosua that rents IS chica friendly right down to the expensive condos on Airbnb.

If we rented in Sosua, we would not be Chica Friendly. But then we are in Cabarete and are not Chica Friendly.

I appreciate cynicism, being one myself. I just have read and heard a lot about what might happen in Sosua and finally those things are starting to happen. If a Hilton breaks ground, notice is given on Sosua beach that the shacks will be removed, etc.. then the prophecies will be manifest.

 

[cavok]

Correct. I have stated "forever" that there was a push from Santo Domingo to reduce the image of prostitution which the government hates. The Attorney General of the DR had press releases on this. They took action in Boca Chica some time ago and I reported on that.

It is a combination of despising the image prostitution puts on the country and in some areas, like Sosua, money to develop an area.

As someone who likes the north coast, what happens in Santo Domingo/Santiago/Punta Cana/Jarabacoa, etc is not of great interest in general to me. I do know the prostitution push is not just in Sosua. And I do know that whore mongers can still find prostitutes, it will just be slightly harder using WhatsApp.

And much more discreet which seems to be exactly what the authorities want.

 

[cavok]

There are plenty of places here in Santiago with hookers running
around just as there are in SD and PP, the only difference being,
these not the type of areas to attract gringo mongers or foreign
investment.

I doubt they even remotely resemble anything like Sosua(?).

 

[cobraboy]

ok Sir Windguy, I noticed we are spot on concerning many issues, political, financial and otherwise. We just have a difference of opinion on this issue, maybe its a time-line thing.
cheers

Big, I enjoy your DR1 participation and we agree on many topics. The positive about DR1 is we have a variety of talents from which posters can learn.

I'm doing a large project, not real estate, which has to be approved by the DR gubmint, and requires the approval and assistance of numerous top Ministries.

In the last few years, especially the last 8 months, I've had to meet with some pretty powerful people, not because I want to rub shoulders, but I have to for my project. Many here on DR1 know who, why and some know when (especially the small victories :cheeky:.)

In all this interaction, some of which requires the word "Sosua" as a destination, I have never once offered any opinion of the town, mongering, or anything remotely similar to these people.

I can give you a few takeaways from what *they* have said that you can take or leave:

1. The local officials, the mayor, etc. are minor players. By the way the DR is structured, they take orders from above. If anything, *some* local officials have been slow-walking the orders of these national officials.
2. The current DR Ministers think Sosua and Boca Chica are national embarrassments. They may be hypocrites, yada, yada, yada, but that does not mean they don't find Sosua a national embarrassment.
3. Tourism strongly thinks that prostitution in Sosua has badly hindered local economic development for years.
4. I learned six months ago the hammer was going to be dropped on Sosua as a sex-tourist destination, and even tried giving DR1ers a heads' up. I was mocked and ridiculed which didn't bother me at all. And voila-six months later the hammer got dropped.

Now I don't pretend to know what the future holds in Sosua next month or 1, 5 or 10 years, have no dog in that fight, have no interest in the area beyond an occasional pass-through and have no "inside scoop" on any development projects or plans. The locals know better.

But what I can tell you with great confidence is that the power folks in Santo Domingo are very serious about "cleaning up" Sosua. And it is an election year. You can do some simple math and take my observations for what they are worth: everything or nothing.

A wise man would plan accordingly.

Enjoy the show.

 

[CristoRey]

And much more discreet which seems to be exactly what the authorities want.

That's been my point since day one.
Felt the same way when I moved out
of Sosua back in June 2014. What a nice
place it would be to live long-term if
they'd just clean it up a little.

Best thing I saw them do while living
there was close the street off for traffic
and let people bring out tables and chairs.

By comparison the mayor of Santiago has
done a fantastic job of cleaning up this city
the last 3 years which makes it a wonderful
place to live... hence me calling this beautiful
city home.

 

[ctrob]

yes, super super cynical for sure. Especially when I hear things like "hotel xyz" is not chica friendly, when I know factually every place in Sosua that rents IS chica friendly right down to the expensive condos on Airbnb.

Just because someone makes an erroneous statement on the interweb, it does not prove your argument.

Have you actually been on pedro clisante lately? Are we talking about two different Sosua's? The place is a ghost town at night. How is that not change? And the dreams of reopening, it ain't gonna happen. Not this time. Too much effort went into this purge. They took the hill, and will never give it back. I'm amazed that some people can't see that.

And now, without hardly taking a breath, they're arresting girls coming out of bars on the East end of PC? You really don't see a message there? Oh well.

 

[cobraboy]

That's been my point since day one.
Felt the same way when I moved out
of Sosua back in June 2014. What a nice
place it would be to live long-term if
they'd just clean it up a little.

Best thing I saw them do while living
there was close the street off for traffic
and let people bring out tables and chairs.

By comparison the mayor of Santiago has
done a fantastic job of cleaning up this city
the last 3 years which makes it a wonderful
place to live... hence me calling this beautiful
city home.

The mayor of Santiago has shown what can happen when the people and gubmint work together. Santiago has done a "clean-up" turnaround.

Except traffic. I hate the traffic. It took 20+ minutes to drive from Nacional on Estrella Sadhala to PriceSmart Wednesday at 6pm.