
President Luis Abinader took the opportunity to promote the emerging Pedernales tourism destination with its beautiful beaches when speaking during a panel during the World Economic Forum. He also spoke of what the Dominican government did differently to fast-track economic recovery, starting with the tourism sector.
In his remarks, he commented on taking office in August 2020 just as the airports were authorized to open after shutdown since March 2020 due to Covid-19. He told the global audience how he was aware that the economy would not recover if tourism did not recover first. He stressed the tourism industry represents 16% of GDP and employs 20%.
He said the government sought to find a balance between health concerns and the economy. He said focus groups were held in the United States that was just starting to reopen to travel. The people indicated they wanted to travel again, and especially were longing to travel to beach destinations, but they were afraid they might get sick at the destination. A brain-storming produced the idea of offering Covid-19 insurance for travelers. The risk was taken by the state insurance company. He said only 0.7% of travelers used the insurance coverage. He explained there was a cost, but the cost of not receiving visitors was much greater.
Abinader also pointed out the Dominican Republic took the dive and purchased vaccines to quickstart one of the first vaccination programs in Latin America. He said the government and hotel industry saw to it that all employees of hotels were among the first to get vaccinated.
Abinader spoke how his government decided it was the time to stop all the planning and go ahead and open a new destination. He said that a first Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Marriott. The government will develop the project and Marriott will manage a first hotel there.
Abinader spoke of the continuing challenges. “We were to have the best December, and then Omicron came,” he remarked. “We again started to recover, and then the war.” Nevertheless, he told the audience that April 2022 turned out to be the best April in number of tourist arrivals in the history of the country. He forecast, May 2022 will be the best May in the country’s history.
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24 May 2022