The Ministry of Tourism publishes its priorities for the next four years under Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez today. This is expected to be Jimenez’s third term as minister of Tourism in the likely scenario of President Fernandez being reelected. Jimenez forecasts that by 2012 the DR would be receiving five million visitors, up from four million in 2008. The plan is to increase arrivals by around 170,000 visitors per year, generating US$200 million in annual revenue. Likewise, he foresees an increase in number of hotel rooms by 3,000 units per year, with an investment of US$420 million. The Ministry predicts that another US$1 billion will be invested in residential communities for around US$1.4 billion a year in the industry, and expects new developments in areas such as Samana, due to the opening of the new highway that cuts the current four-hour journey from Santo Domingo down to an hour and a half, and the improvements to the beach at Juan Dolio. Plans for 2008-2012 include expediting the development of the Macao-Miches-Sabana de la Mar highway and support for a ferry to Samana from a new port in Sabana de la Mar. Likewise, new investments are planned for the provinces of Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, San Cristobal, Peravia, Azua, Barahona, and municipalities in Moncion, San Jose de las Matas, Janico, Jarabacoa, Constanza and Ocoa, with funding provided under the new National Institute for Tourism Development, promoted by the Ministry. Furthermore, the minister says that he would support tourism expansion on the north coast, with the construction of the Montecristi to Puerto Plata highway, which will pass through Luperon. Another highway that would be built is the Moncion-Janico-Jarabacoa-Constanza-Ocoa highway. The plan also contemplates the construction of the Santo Domingo Convention Center, for which ITB Messe Berlin has been contracted as consultant, to complement the expansion of the Port of Santo Domingo. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism plan includes the start of construction of works for the new Puerto Plata port, as well as the construction of 6,000 housing units for low-income people in Puerto Plata, Samana, Najayo and Palenque. The Ministry also announces plans to continue to spend US$25 million a year on advertising and publicity.