Simon Súarez, former president of the National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores), criticized the present lack of respect to the zoning laws in the Bávaro-Punta Cana-Macao tourist area. He said that there is complicity by the authorities to allow the illegal commercial use of space less than 60 meters from high tide on the area’s beaches, the removal of dunes and extraction of sand, damage to coastal mangroves, damage to coral reefs, elimination of wetlands and lagoons and the extraction of construction materials from local rivers. Suarez is especially critical of an unexpected resolution issued by the Ministry of Tourism that has allowed the construction of buildings of up to 22 stories in the Punta Cana area.
He warned construction of 22 story buildings in the eastern beach area threatens the sustainability of tourism. Suarez noted that the resolution is not supported by scientific studies that can justify the change and without taking into account the arguments of those who oppose the recent decision.
Súarez spoke during the First International Coastal and Tourism Biodiversity Symposium.” He is vice president for institutional relations of the Punta Cana Group.
In addition to damage to tourism in Punta Cana, he mentioned a recent approval of tax incentives in Juan Dolio beach area for a 121 apartments just 30 meters from high tide. He said this is in disregard with resolutions that have been issued by both the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment.
“Shortcuts are being taken and due process is not fulfilled, such as the obligation to listen to the communities and other stakeholders involved who are affected by the decisions of the authorities, whose regulatory power does not supersede the collective voice of the community,” he said.
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Acento
3 July 2018
