Hans Dannenberg, director of the Puerto Plata Hotel Association, told CDN Radio that this morning’s earthquake mostly affected lamps and television sets that fell to the floor. He commended the tourists who grouped in hotel lobby areas, and the tour operators’ reps who arrived shortly after the shake. He said some tourists staying in second- and third-floor rooms requested to be relocated to the first floor. Since this is low season, Dannenberg said the hotels were able to comply with the requests. He mentioned there have been some cracked walls of hotels, too.
\nWhile some tourists were obviously jittery during the quake, Dannenberg reported that by later this morning tourists were back on their way to the beaches and pools and that the earthquake should have no fundamental impact on tourism in Puerto Plata, nor should it affect the upcoming Jazz Festival that begins this weekend in Playa Dorada and continues on to Sosua and Cabarete.
\nRegarding the older inner-city of Puerto Plata, Dannenberg said that some of the buildings suffered cracks, including the bell structure of the church there.
\nReports from the airport have been confusing, but Dannenberg says that only minor damages were sustained. Apparently, Puerto Plata’s international airport was closed briefly for a technical evaluation and later reopened. Dannenberg said the landing strips were unharmed and operations would continue normally.
\nFurthermore, he said that Puerto Plata’s governor was awaiting the visit of Acting President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, who would visit the North Coast to personally inspect for damages. He commended the townspeople for immediately initiating a city clean-up of debris caused by the quake. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hans Dannenberg, director of the Puerto Plata Hotel Association, told CDN Radio that this morning’s earthquake mostly affected lamps and television sets that fell to the floor. He commended the tourists who grouped in hotel lobby areas, and the tour operators’ reps who arrived shortly after the shake. He said some tourists staying in second- … <\/p>\n