Anonymous sources within the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) told the afternoon daily Ultima Hora that President Fern?ndez pledged to an ASONAHORES delegation at last week’s visit in the National Palace that his Government will proceed with work on environmental health in tourism zones even before winning the anticipated World Bank loan toward that end. The DR is applying for World Bank money to improve trash collection, build and/or repair drainage and sewer systems, improve potable water delivery and other sanitation projects in the coastal tourism areas of the country. President Fern?ndez reportedly guaranteed that his Government will initiate such work even ahead of Bank approval of the US$150 million loan proposal, and that the work will cover not only the North and East coasts, but the entire Southern coast as well. The President also reportedly was interested in hearing ASONAHORES’ plans to ensure "sustainable" tourism in the DR.
