President Luis Abinader presented the Government’s tourism development proposals to the Puerto Plata businessmen aimed to relaunch the industry on the north coast.
Abinader showed the initiatives in a private event with representatives of that industry at the Emotions hotel, in Playa Dorada.
“A plan has been prepared between the Government and the Minister of Tourism that includes the Amber Highway”, the president told journalists.
He said that the objective is for the business community and developers to approve the initiatives presented to promote tourism in Puerto Plata and other provinces in the Northern region.
Among these proposals is the Ámbar highway, a high-tech project, and the tourist development of the Bergantín beach, which extends from Playa Dorada to Sosúa.
“The president’s objective is to submit the project to a consensus and it can be reviewed during the month of February and formally presented during the month of March”, declared Sixto Peralta, president of the Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce and Production.
José Natalio Redondo, president of the Northern Hotels Association (Ashonorte), pointed out that President Abinader promised to work on a comprehensive plan to diversify the tourist offer, attract large investments, and new business models that allow this destination to be promoted.
“These are vital works for Puerto Plata … we are very happy with those projects,” said Redondo.
Luis Abinader’s meeting with tourist entrepreneurs was held within the framework of a visit to the so-called Bride of the Atlantic, where the president inaugurated a treatment plant, wastewater system, and impulsion line in the municipality of Luperón.
In addition, the Head of State started work on the construction of the fishermen’s jetty in La Puntilla.
During his visit, President Abinader was accompanied by the Ministers of Tourism and Administration of the Presidency, David Collado and José Ignacio Paliza.
American actor Vin Diesel spoke with Abinader about future projects “because Diesel has a great attachment” for the Dominican Republic where he has filmed several of his most successful films.
In the meeting with Vin Diesel, Abinader was accompanied by the Administrative Ministers of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; and Tourism, David Collado, as well as the senator for the province of Puerto Plata, Ginette Bournigal.
About the plan
The plan includes the development of more than 40 investment projects from foreign companies and international organizations.
He said that the works are offered to be operated and managed through a trust, in order to guarantee that the resources are diverted to other purposes.
The governor also announced the creation of the Nautical Tourism Directorate, which has the task of presenting him with an action plan for the provinces of Puerto Plata and Samaná.
He revealed that another project contemplated is the Ruta de Colón, a historic corridor that includes the provinces of Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Valverde.
Meanwhile, Shanny Peña, director of Tourism Planning and Projects, explained that the plan includes developing a tourist corridor in the area, real estate projects, theme and ecological parks, underwater dives, and a 250-kilometer coastal sea route, between Punta Rucia and Río San Juan.
She indicated that the plan includes investments in new tourism projects in the municipalities of Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Cabarete, Maimón, Luperón, and Imbert.