About tourism in DR versus Cuba

While it pains me to say so because I'm Dominican and I love my country, I agree with those who say that Cuba will be the #1 tourist spot in the Caribbean when they get rid of Castro. We do have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but remember, during the fifties, Cuba was to the US what the Hamptons is to NYC, the weekend getaway. They certainly have the experience and the know-how without having to invest much in publicity, it's just a hop and a skip from Miami and it was very "accommodating" to the "elite" groups of Americans that used Cuba as their playground, the Maffia. I agree with you that the Dominican government should invest in advertising in the US, but I think that if we want to be a major tourist destination for the US we should also change the name of the country.

Wouldn't everyone agree that Dominican Republic reminds people of regimes, communism, martial law, etc, (I guess is the word "Republic" that does it). We should advertise with a catchy name like Quisqueya or even Santo Domingo, almost everyone thinks the whole country is called Santo Domingo anyway. All the islands have short names, ie: Hawaii, Tahiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Bahamas, St. Thomas, etc. Dominican Republic is certainly not a "touristically attractive" name for a caribbean island and Americans love short names and abbreviation, here we say DR or Dom Rep because the name is definitely toooooooo loooooooong......

cuba is already a major player in the tourist business,and as far as getting rid of castro,if their was a free election today in cuba castro would get 80 to 90 per cent of the vote.do you really think changeing thename would increase business,i don;t think americans are that fickle not to go to a country because the name is to long.

Interesting point concerning the name of the Dominican Republic.
You are correct because I have spoken of the Dominican Republic to other gringos and that is exactly the sort of knee jerk responce.
Perhaps a naming the nation would be a jim dandy contest.
Something exotic, tropical, plesant, while friendly, and apoltical would be a tourist draw.
Then again, who cares if Americans go to the Dom.Rep., much less changing the name.
just a thought.

It has nothing to do with being "fickle", in Marketing, you want to sell a product, you give it a name that has "appeal"... ask youself how many Americans go to a store and ask for a Coca Cola, no one does, they say "Coke" or Pepsi, they don't say The United States, they say US, they don't go to the bathroom, they go to the "john", they don't have a personal computer, they have a PC, etc. I think is a great marketing strategy to choose a name that has the flavor of the caribbean when we advertise in the States, as Andy said before, the name Dominican Republic is the place where "those drug dealers came from", no one sees it here as a tourist destination, trust me, I live here and I know.

From Tall buildings

"Then again, who cares if Americans go to the Dom.Rep., much less changing the name.
just a thought"

People in the tourism industry sort of like to do business with the wealthiest nation on Earth, pretty good base to draw from

The name has nothing to do with Americans not visiting the DR. the number one problem is lack of promotion, number 2 is the association with Haiti 3 is the "banana republic" style of laws, customs and service.

like it or not, Americans are used to traveling without passports, not seeing armed guards every ten feet, not being shook down by the police and expect a high level of service

You can reply with "then don't go to the DR" and that is exactly my point, Americans won't (even though they are your majority of tourist business and leading trade partner

Cuba is going to be the 800# Gorilla

If any of you follow any financial news, especially regarding the gaming industry, you would realize there is over 100 Billion (With a B) USD ready to be poured into a gambling Mecca once Castro is gone.

Every major Casino has options on property (Through intermediatiries) to immediately recreate "Old Havana"

Every destination in the Caribbean will be severely hurt when Cuba instantly becomes the number one destination in the Caribbean for North America, both due to proximity and the allure of Old Cuba. they don't need to market it, Hollywood has already done that

The eastern part of the island of Hispaniola (DR)is much better preserved than most part of Cuba, and much less polluted. We don't have stalinian buildings down here, and we may be quite inefficient about everything, but it will take a generation for the basic Cubans to get to the "american-standard"... Yeah, you will tell me about numerous investers, that's true, it's also true that Cuba gonna hit it big time in the Carribean tourism market, but I am not so sure about that "bulldozer-effect" you guys are painting... Just get down to Cuba and check it out by yourself...

It's amazing how a few Billion USD can change the landscape, and iw ouldn't be surprised to see "imported" labor for many of the higher level jobs.

Well, perhaps that image (Dominicans being drug-dealers) is more NYC based. Then again, which ethnic (minority) group in NYC has not been spared of negative images? My experience has been different when I mention where I am from. Okay, I have never lived in NYC and only have visited twice (don't care for that city, really), but here in DC is all very positive. I say Dominican Republic and it's "Oh, really, I just went to Punta Cana!" or "My friend just went there", or "Oh, where Sammy is from". My experience in PA and in DC is that the Dominican Republic is always associated with either Punta Cana, baseball, and lastly, depending on the age of the person, the US invasion of 1965. It helps that the Washington Post has periodically done extensive stories on Punta Cana and it also "helps" that the Clintons and also Charles Rangel are supposedly buying properties in Punta Cana. That is the rumor inside the Beltway these days. In terms of Cuba, I don't know, why don't we cross that bridge when we get there. It would be interesting to witness how and when Cuba will open up. This won't really happen with the pressure by the old guard, Miami-based Cubans, for sure. As long as Castro is in power, they want that embargo going!

Regards,
Natasha

Aye, Aye (John)

I don't think the "Repulic" part of the name has anything to do with attracting tourists. I also don't think most people (outside of the DR) know it as "Santo Domingo," that is just the Capitol.

Wealthiest nation? Measured how? Overall or per capita?

We are talking about a sovereign nation, not soda-pop. I don't think a country should change its name to please foreigners.

I thought most of the tourists are Europeans? Maybe its old statistics, but something like 85% - correct me if I'm wrong, and tell me whrer to read up.

please "then don't .....

Natasha,

It's true that the "drug dealer" stereotyping of Dominicans happens mostly in NY, and we should make Sammy Sosa a national heroe for putting our country on the map, but 95% of my workers are Americans and when they see my screensaver (Playas de la Republica Dominicana from ASONAHORES) the typical comment is "I didn't know you had such beautiful beaches in DR". We definitely need more exposure in the US and all those people you mentioned are helping a lot (Clinton, Charles Rangel, Julio Iglesias) but Castro won't live forever and I think we should be prepared for a Castro-less Cuba, not cross that bridge when we get to it, our country can always use some US dollars thrown our way, so we should be prepared for the competition.

A month or so ago, DR1 reported that 52% of the tourists last year were from US

Overall