UNWTO: The Dominican Republic is a role model of tourism management
The Dominican Republic is prepared to receive tourists due to its sanitary protocol, security and infrastructure, considered the secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization(UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili.
Zurab, who chose the country for the first family vacation since the pandemic began, paid a courtesy visit on his last day to President Luis Abinader.
At the end of the meeting that was held privately and in which the Minister of Tourism David Collado was present, the secretary affirmed that the country is an example in the world of how tourism can be managed with responsible protocols in the time of COVID -19, managing to attract international tourists with health security.
He considered that Abinader is the president with some of the best ideas that he has seen in recent years to lead tourism, attract more tourists, investments, create new destinations and generate more jobs.
“There is no better place to invest than this paradise. A legally safe country, with a government motivated to carry out interesting, creative, modern and sustainable projects”, said Pololikashvili.
He congratulated the Dominican government for the way it has managed tourism, recognizing that it is not easy to maintain a balance between health and the economy.
Among the qualities to choose the Republic, he valued its history, culture, and above all, for security.
“We have seen with our own eyes that it is a safe country, that it complies with all the protocols in the world that are needed in these rare and difficult times”, added the UNWTO leader.
During his stay in the country, he said that thanks to the rigorous sanitary protocols, he was able to confirm that it is safer than being at home or going to the supermarket.
In addition, he highlighted the beauty and hospitality of the Dominican Republic, since his arrival in Punta Cana.
He understands that traveling is possible in a responsible way, and that not traveling is not the solution to avoid the pandemic, so he urged to travel and enjoy the world.
He emphasized that in the history of tourism there is no crisis as intense as that caused by COVID-19.
The Dominican Republic, due to its successful experience in the management of COVID-19, can be used to hold a summit of leaders of the region to host good practices that promote tourism.
Praised visit
David Collado stressed “that the secretary general of the World Tourism Organization chooses this destination, it is another accolade that we are doing things differently and very well.”
He said that in February, which was shaping up with a drop in tourist visits, they will conclude with more than 100,000 visitors, indicating that tourism is picking up firmly.
All the decisions made by the Dominican government, he added, are thinking about tourism, as the main industry in the country, which represents 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Likewise, due to the importance that some 500,000 Dominicans make a living from this activity, and that the crisis has impacted an entire chain that includes small travel agencies and tour operators.
Among the measures adopted by the country, Collado cited insurance for COVID-19 coverage, being a pioneer in this initiative.
Likewise, the incentive of internal tourism has allowed nearly 100,000 employees to regain their jobs in the different hotel complexes in the country.
Collado stressed that in the random tests that are carried out in all Dominican airports and, in hotels, with antigen tests for the North American market, the positivity rate does not exceed 1.20%, so tourism does not represent a risk to increase contagion.
Pololikashvil was accompanied by his son Nikoloz Pololikashvili; Bernardo Castillo, advisor to the Minister of Transport of Spain and George Shamdze.