The Ministry of Tourism published the controversial resolution 002/2017 that amends the maximum number of floors for the construction of high rises in the Punta Cana tourist destination area. The resolution was published a year and three months after it was enacted by the Ministry, in violation with set Ministry of Tourism procedures. The resolution changes the decades-long development strategy for lowrise development in the Punta Cana area that is thought to be a major factor in the successful development of the area.
When rumors circulated for the government support of the change in authorized heights for the Punta Cana area, the National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores) objected, but at last minute in December 2018, the leading hotel association desisted from taking legal action against the government.
The resolution authorizes the construction of five-story buildings in the Punta Cana area (Punta Cana, Bavaro, Macao) and increases the maximum floor height to 22 in some points.
In an interview on Hoy Mismo TV show, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia said there is no discord with the measure and any differences of opinions were left in the past. He stated: “What everyone wants is that, in the measure of what is possible, or always, as has been the spirit of the Ministry of Tourism, that we handle ourselves within the framework of dialogue.”
Diario Libre consulted Asonahores but was told the organization does not have an official position on the publishing of the resolution. But a source from the sector says that the mere fact that the government published the later on 31 January 2019 when it was adopted on 12 October 2017 is an example that the Ministry has not implemented the procedures correctly.
4 February 2019
