Economist Andy Dauhajre, who is in charge of the Medium Term Foreign Financing Plan, has become the government spokesman on efforts to ensure the winter season tourism traffic is maintained. President Mejia headed a meeting of the tourism sector at the National Palace yesterday. Present were the Governor of the Central Bank Frank Guerrero Prats, Minister of Finance Fernando Alvarez Bogaert, Minister of Tourism Ramon Alfredo Bordas, Minister of Industry and Commerce Hugo Guiliani, the administrator of the Banco de Reservas and members of the private sector.
At the end of the meeting, Dauhajre told the press the government will develop a contingency plan to attract European, Canadian and American travellers who otherwise might head to countries such as Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Maldive Islands, Bali, Indonesia and Arab nations. He explained that this could be done by making contact with tour operators and airlines, and starting an aggressive promotional and public relations campaign in Europe, Canada and South America.
He said there is no time to be lost because competitors such as Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda are already moving in the same direction. He mentioned that Miami lost about 70,000 reservations from Brazilian travellers. Thousands of them could be attracted to visit the DR.
The campaign would also focus on markets in Chile, Argentina, England, Italy, Germany, and Holland. He said efforts will also be made to boost domestic travel. Several hotels are already offering attractive plans.
The terrorist attack in the US has primarily affected travel to the DR’s east coast destinations and Santo Domingo. (3 October 2001)
