Minister of Agriculture Jose Ramon Rodriguez has announced an ambitious plan to convert the Mercado Modelo and the Mercado Nuevo into modern farm produce centers and to promote them as tourist attractions. He told reporters from El Caribe that he was preparing the terms of reference for an international tender to remodel the two markets, saying that this project is part of the government’s priorities during this administration. He said that the Mercado Modelo on Mella Street would become a specialized tourist center selling handicrafts, souvenirs and other items as well as good quality fruits and vegetables.
While originally a produce market, the Mercado Modelo is now the country’s largest crafts market. Fruits and vegetables make up only a small part of the goods on sale at the market that is a short walk from Santo Domingo’s Colonial City.