Sosua is the Acapulco of the Dominican Republic and where tourism first took off back in the 70s and 80s. The town became a touristic spinoff when charter travel and airlines initially flew into Puerto Plata and those tourists wandered off the beaten track in search of restaurants and shopping. Sosua possessed a unique ambience due to its Jewish settlers who put down roots there to escape Nazi Germany. They were later followed by sun- and fun-seeking tourists-turned-settlers from Canada, Austria and the United States, among other nationalities.

Cabarete, located slightly over half an hour from Puerto Plata, carved a name for itself as a windsurfing, surfing and kiteboarding capital. In Cabarete, everything revolves around the beach, including the string of restaurants where people mingle late into the night, adding to the magic and success of this six-kilometer community, just 14 kilometers east of Sosua. All told, the Ernst & Young/Yesawich Pepperdine Brown & Russell "Competitive Strategy Report7 for Puerto Plata recommends that the North Coast area be marketed as a destination that offers visitors a remarkable array of experiences reflecting the inherent drama and spirit of its beach towns, as well as the nature-based and cultural experience. The study sees fundamental strengths in the towns where the beach culture of the Dominican Republic originally developed and from where it has since evolved.

The E&Y/YPBR study concluded that Puerto Plata has a rich harbor-focused history indicative of the colonial era and ambience, much like the nostalgic, laid-back setting of Key West Florida. It highlights that Cofresi, Sosua and Cabarete, all well within Puerto Plata's reach, further add dimension to the beach culture.

PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

The Port of Puerto Plata
There is consensus that the most important public works needed in the area is the reconstruction and expansion of Puerto Plata's port The city attracted cruise ship trade in the late 70s, only to lose it in the early 80s due to lack of organization, security and hygiene. Today, a simple revitalization is not enough to rehabilitate the old port The much larger size of cruise ships today demands modifications to make it a multi-functional port, as well as dredging, breakwater construction, expansion of the cargo container area, and modern docks for large cruise ships. There is national agreement on the need to remove the power plants from the east side in order to leave the bay free for tourism.

The new harbor development is envisioned as a staging area for day-visits to the historic sites, surrounding beach towns and the associated resort properties of the North Coast.

Profitability studies carried out on the success story of La Romana's newly improved port, on the much less-trafficked Southeast Coast support the feasibility of an overhaul in Puerto Plata, from where it sits on the main Caribbean cruise line route. Port construction is being contemplated in phases, with the first anticipated cruise ship to arrive there by Fall 2005.

Private investors are completing the construction of the Ocean World Marina, adjacent to the newly-opened marine and zoological park facility of the same name. Scheduled to open in 2005, it will offer 200 berths for mega-yachts, sailboats and small vessels cruising the Caribbean from Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda, down to the Windward Islands.

Major Highway Construction.
Eco-Avenue: The increasing number of vehicles passing through Puerto Plata en route to other destinations such as Sosua, Cabarete and beyond, call for the need to build an Eco-Avenue. This project is being contemplated in development plans for Puerto Plata to improve its flow of traffic, as well as to provide room for expansion of housing