Pace of tourism slows, global uncertainties put a dapper on tourism increases

AlterEgo

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Jan 9, 2009
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Interesting.
At what point were you the majority?

Most all of the expats I socialize with here in Santiago are Italian. I think they are the biggest group of expats in the city after the Dom Yorkers.

That surprises me. I knew about the Italian presence in Dominicus and Juan Dolio areas, but not Santiago. Are there good Italian restaurants?
 
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CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
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That surprises me. I knew about the Italian presence in Dominicus and Juan Dolio areas, but not Santiago. Are there good Italian restaurants?
Yes. La Trattoria de Claudio located in Los Jardines.
Old school stone oven cooking.
Everything on their menu is delicious. Nice selection of wine as well. By far my favorite Italian in the DR.

Prior to Covid I knew an Italian chef who cooked at Victoria's at Parque Duarte (central park) and did a fine job but he became frustrated with the way the restraurant was being run so he stopped working there.
 

PJP

Fortunate to be retired and exploring the World
Dec 9, 2024
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Agreed.

I spent just over a month in Turkiye in the Summer of 2023. It was less expensive (at the time) than the DR with plenty to see and do. I absolutely loved it over there. The beaches around Bodrum are amazing. If I were still living in Europe it would be my # 1 travel destination mainly to due the prices, proximity and frequency of flights to all major European airports.
It's much more expensive now
 
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PJP

Fortunate to be retired and exploring the World
Dec 9, 2024
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We are becoming a minority among expats. Although a higher percentage of us are legal expats haha
There was a time, 20 - 30 years ago when there were few Americans and tons of Europeans. French, Italian, Brits, Dutch, German, and quite a few Canadians. With reductions in flights from Europe and a massive increase in American visitors things are radically different now. No idea about Canadians now, it's been forever since I've met any new ones

I bet if the DR made residency simpler and easier, as well as cheaper that there would be a surge in Canadian visitors with the US acting up and so many cancellations to the US. As well as from many countries.

I see no need for residency now. My personal opinion only. Not worth it if it ever was
 
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PJP

Fortunate to be retired and exploring the World
Dec 9, 2024
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Know of one who has a restaurant in Jarabaco, La Baita. Really good and famous guy, old race driver.
He had a great little restaurant on Pedro C about 15 years ago give or take. Firebombed...so he moved and is thriving.

There's another hotelier and restauranteur in Sosua that also has a great restaurant and hour or so away. I forget the name/details but the food is amazing
 

Father Guido

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Jul 24, 2022
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you've heard the term "the more the merrier", when applied to tourists, as far as I'm concerned, less is better
 

DrNoob

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Aug 10, 2024
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you've heard the term "the more the merrier", when applied to tourists, as far as I'm concerned, less is better
Whenever I see a large concentration of tourists it triggers my reptile brain to go into ‘run’ mode. Even when I am a tourist myself.
You are channelling windeguy's spirit but he usually limits that to North Coast expat overcrowding
He had a great little restaurant on Pedro C about 15 years ago give or take. Firebombed...so he moved and is thriving.

There's another hotelier and restauranteur in Sosua that also has a great restaurant and hour or so away. I forget the name/details but the food is amazing
Would this be Dolci E’ Sapori in Sosua ? https://www.instagram.com/dolciesapori.rd/
 
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Ecoman1949

Born to Ride.
Oct 17, 2015
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Since Luis assumed the Presidency, AI development has been on steroids, partly because of annual increases in tourism. It’s declining and they still continue to build new resorts while some close and others change to condos to try to survive. Overcapacity might be the problem now and a recession could make it worse.

At some point the government has to change its focus to other priorities like the dependable delivery of water and electricity before they add more commercial and residential infrastructure. The focus might change when Luis steps down at the end of his term. Till then, it’s business as usual.
 

Ecoman1949

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Whenever I see a large concentration of tourists it triggers my reptile brain to go into ‘run’ mode. Even when I am a tourist myself.
God bless the tourists who spend their money at the DR resorts. They keep the economy going but, I get the same feeling walking beaches and seeing croc wearing, over size beer cooler toting, badly sunburned, half drunk tourists. The main reason I head to remote beaches to enjoy the solitude and a beer in the company of a few locals.
 
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aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
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God bless the tourists who spend their money at the DR resorts. They keep the economy going but, I get the same feeling walking beaches and seeing croc wearing, over size beer cooler toting, badly sunburned, half drunk tourists. The main reason I head to remote beaches to enjoy the solitude and a beer in the company of a few locals.
Moving to Las Terrenas from Santo Domingo June 2020 during the pandemic was speciel.
 
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You are channelling windeguy's spirit but he usually limits that to North Coast expat overcrowding
The difference is I spend my time in San Cristobal, usually without spotting any expat or tourist for months.

Nothing against mass tourism or expat cluster’s but it is not for me.
 
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windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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You are channelling windeguy's spirit but he usually limits that to North Coast expat overcrowding

Would this be Dolci E’ Sapori in Sosua ? https://www.instagram.com/dolciesapori.rd/
Indeed, I recommend all Expats to move to Punta Cana as several hundred more housing units are being built a short walk from me.
There is the rumble of a "steam roller" flattening a 8 foot high pile of caliche rocke upon which will be built another condo complex in front of Costa Azul.
There is still room for a third condo complex just west of the second one.

Behind Cota Azul, the building of Great Wall between La Cienaga and the Cabarete Country Club commenced recently.

If they build them, will they come?