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President Luis Abinader was in Montecristi last week where he toured the newly renovated El Morro National Park tourist trail and lookout point and attended the ground breaking for two hotels. The new El Morro 190-meter trail takes visitors all the way to the El Zapato islet (known for its form as a shoe) and offers access to the beach behind El Morro hill.
The El Morro trail was implemented by the Ministry of Environment with Banco de Reservas funds. On site is a 315 m2 plaza for activities, a 200 m2 camping area and a 140 m2 picnic area. 27 parking spaces, and an area for buses is part of the eco-friendly passage.
New signage makes the project eco-friendly. The signage and information panels about the area help raise the awareness of the sustainable use of the environment.
Abinader indicated that the government has invested RD$22.9 million in the trail. He said the initiative is part of the efforts of his administration to develop tourism while protecting the environment. He said Montecristi is earmarked to become a tourist, economic, social and sustainable zone for the benefit of the inhabitants and the whole country.
During his visit to Montecristi on 29 November 2021, President Abinader announced the construction of the Montecristi seawall and the reconstruction of the central park.
Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera, emphasized that the intervention in El Morro is part of the objectives of conditioning the country’s protected areas to maximize the experience of contact with nature for visitors.
He explained that, in addition to the new infrastructures, more than 300 trees of the guayacán, maguey, sábila, beach grape and saona species, among others, have been planted in this area.
President Abinader attended the start of construction of the first of two Super 8 Hotel that will go up in Montecristi and Manzanillo, in the northwesternmost area. Each of the hotels will have meeting rooms, gardens, gyms, swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. These would be the first chain hotels to operate in the northwestern-most province.
Speaking for the Super 8 Hotel investors, Jaime Santana Bonetti, said the constructions will contribute to position Montecristi as a tourist destination.
The new hotels are going up at a time when the Manzanillo port will be expanded and modernized, a major power plant will be installed, and a shipyard will be built. These works are expected to be completed in 2023. Manzanillo is the country’s port that is the closest to the United States and northern shipping routes.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
Hoy
Super7FM
8 December 2021