Speaking at the Dominican Annual Travel Exchange (DATE) meeting in Punta Cana last week, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia stressed the new public-private alliance in the tourism sector. He predicted that the implementation of the recently approved land use plan for the Punta Cana-Bavaro region would mean that visitors to the area this December “will think they have arrived somewhere else.” He said the objectives were to create conditions for tourists to have a community-included experience that will turn them into repeat tourists. He announced that along with plans for lighting and signage, a plan for enhanced security with the installation of cameras on tourist roads and highways is under way. <\/p>\n
He said that within three months, by the start of the summer season, a blitz to patch up holes in highways using one million gallons of asphalt leading to and within the Punta Cana zone would be completed. <\/p>\n
Javier Garcia spoke of efforts under way to work closely with tour operators, but also to attract new markets, especially at a time when US travelers are showing a downward trend. But at the same time, he said that they expected US travel to continue strong, as many who would have chosen a long-haul destination would now look to the Caribbean for their vacations. “It is an opportunity for close destinations,” said Javier Garcia. He said the DR would be increasing its presence in US market with the opening of nine new tourist offices. <\/p>\n
“In times of crisis, you have two options,” he said. “You sit down and cry, or you take firm steps forward,” he stated, indicating that the DR would be stepping forward. <\/p>\n
He forecast that tourism developments would continue in the DR. “The beaches, the climate and nature are not going anywhere,” he said. <\/p>\n
He said that during his term as minister of tourism he would be strengthening relations with the private sector – with the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, and all associations with ties to the tourism industry. He said the Ministry was working closely with the tourism clusters throughout the country. “In tourism neither the private sector nor government can be ahead or behind, they have to work side by side,” he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Speaking at the Dominican Annual Travel Exchange (DATE) meeting in Punta Cana last week, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia stressed the new public-private alliance in the tourism sector. He predicted that the implementation of the recently approved land use plan for the Punta Cana-Bavaro region would mean that visitors to the area this December “will … <\/p>\n