Tourism Minister David Collado, has assured local entrepreneurs and residents that the historic Colonial City will experience no street closures during the crucial month of December, allowing businesses to maximize sales during the peak holiday season, as reported in Diario Libre.
The announcement came on Friday, 7 November 2025 during the official inauguration of 11 newly renovated streets, part of a major reconstruction and revitalization project in the capital’s historic district. The minister emphasized that keeping the thoroughfares open is a measure to support local commerce, which was impacted by the recent construction work.
“There will be no closed streets during December,” Collado stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the most important sales season of the year is uninterrupted for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The handover of the 11 streets represents a major milestone in the project, which carries an investment of RD$103 million. The work included new sidewalks, curbs, and updated drainage systems, substantially improving urban infrastructure and enhancing the appeal of the oldest historic center in the Americas.
The project, which began in October 2022 with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is a coordinated effort with the Ministry of Culture and the National District Mayor’s Office.
The inaugurated streets, which benefit both residents and the estimated 8% of all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic who are drawn to the Colonial City. Streets that were revamped are:
Isabel La Católica, Arzobispo Meriño, Restauración, Duarte, Juan Isidro Pérez, La Noria, José Reyes, Calle 19 de Marzo and Callejón María la O.
Focus on safety and historic preservation
The Minister also addressed security, stating that serious crime has been curtailed. “There is no longer major delinquency in the Colonial City. We have strengthened security, and today we have a vibrant, safe, and touristic zone,” he asserted.
Looking ahead, Collado was optimistic about the country’s tourism sector. Despite a recent storm, he noted that October was the best month in the history of air tourism. He further projected that the Dominican Republic will close the year with a visitor growth between 11.6 and 11.7 million, positioning 2025 as “the best year in the history of Dominican tourism.”
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
11 November 2025