The Frontier Development Department (DGDF) has begun the repairs and construction of airports that either existed previously or have been planned for the area along the Haitian border. According to El Caribe, the government has set aside RD$3.5 million to refurbish the local airports at Elias Pina, Montecristi, Dajabon and Pedernales. Although the project started in Montecristi and Dajabon with the clean-up of the existing local facilities, there are plans to build air terminals in Bahoruco and Jimani as well. The object of the renewed interest in these airports is to make the areas more attractive to tourism and industry. The existing facilities will be completely refurbished and the new ones built as funds become available. The program became viable after Andres Vanderhorst, the head of the Airport Authority, and ambassadors Claude Moyret of France and Ekhart Peters of Costa Rica visited the region, and commented on its touristic potential.