During a press conference at DATE Punta Cana last week, Deputy Tourism Minister Radhames Martinez highlighted the impact that the completion of key roadways is having on tourism in the Dominican Republic. He announced that with the completion of the expansion of the Av. Estados Unidos that runs north-south in the Punta Cana area the Coral Highway would be completed by December, providing for fast connections from resorts in Arena Gorda and Uvero Alto to the Punta Cana airport, and considerably reducing driving time.
Martinez stressed that the first-rate roadways that will soon link San Pedro de Macoris (Juan Dolio) with the east, with the completion of the San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana roundabouts. He announced that driving times from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo would be reduced to two hours, down from four hours just a year ago.
The completion of the highway opens up travel to Santo Domingo and key attractions in San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana, both for tourists staying in Punta Cana as well as in Santo Domingo, Juan Dolio or La Romana destinations.
Likewise, works are advancing on the completion of the Uvero Alto-Miches-Sabana de la Mar two-lane road with more than 100km at a cost of US$185 million. This puts Samana a half an hour boat trip away.
Martinez believes that the redistribution of tourism due to the proximity of airports now linked by new roads will open the way for more airlines to fly to the Dominican Republic in the medium term. He highlighted the fact that many tourists would be able to fly into one airport, and depart from another.
The Ministry of Tourism has also announced the start of reconstruction of the Puerto Plata-Navarrete highway that will put Puerto Plata 25 minutes from Santiago.
Speaking at DATE Punta Cana, Asonahores president Luis Emilio Rodriguez also stressed the impact the roads are having on multi-destinations within the country. He made the point that research shows tourists are spending US$101 up from US$100. “The fact that one more dollar is being spent means that the country being acknowledged as a multi-destination” he said.
He said that the investment in the new roads will mean domestic and foreign travelers will be able to travel inland and enjoy the country’s attractions.
Asonahores said that the DR received more than US$4.3 billion in revenue in 2012. Foreign tourist visits were up 6% last year.