JULY 2010

Expansion of the Puerto Plata – Navarrete Highway

Highway Puerto Plata - NavarreteWork progressing rapidly

BREAKING NEWS: Puerto Plata.- Construction teams are working at an accelerated pace on the widening of the Navarrete - Puerto Plata Highway. The first part involves the removal of large amounts of land so that the two lane road can be expanded to four.

The work is part of the infrastructure development being done by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, which will include building a new tunnel in the community of Altamira.

President Fernandez, in his address to the nation on February 27th, announced the construction of major road work, which will contribute to the growth of tourism and boost business in the city of Puerto Plata.

This work is part of Project VIADOM, which includes important roadwork development, such as the Northern Bypass and the Santiago – Duarte Highway, among others. This work is being executed by DORVICOM Construction, who has extensive experience in the construction of land routes nationwide.

Puerto Plata Live, 02.07.10

Puerto Plata Tourism to return better than ever

Monument in Puerto PlataMinistry of Tourism is working on various development works

BREAKING NEWS: Puerto Plata.- According to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, César José de los Santos, Puerto Plata will emerge with strength and within a period not exceeding two years will have recovered its status as the most attractive, comprehensive and entertaining tourist destination in the region. He argued that it is not a destination on the verge of collapse but a destination in a process of a strong revival.

Mr. De los Santos said that Puerto Plata will emerge very strongly because of the effort being made by the government of President Leonel Fernández, the Ministry of Tourism, and the private sector.

He said that the expansion of the Puerto Plata-Navarrete Highway, the reconstruction of the port area, including a modern cruise terminal, along with the renovation of the old town, guarantee that in two years this destination will be uniquely positioned to compete and attract new tourists to the region.

De Los Santos said the Tourism Ministry headed by Mr. Francisco Javier Garcia intends to undertake the renovation of the botanical park and the attractions of the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres, to make them more appealing. They also hope to begin construction of an amphitheater, and install a mass transit system, to transport tourists to the city as a way to energize the local economy and encourage the opening of new restaurants, bars, shops, galleries and other businesses.

The Deputy Tourism Minister also stated that the construction of a Convention Center with input from the private sector and the Government is within the short term plans of the area, indicating that large investments have already been made.

He said he also proposed a program to make better use of the natural resources, which include the Damajagua cascades, Cabarete Lagoon, Sosua Bay Underwater Park. Mr. Francisco Javier Garcia is ready to give the order to complete this project that will enrich and regenerate corals and marine life, promoting Sosua as a major diving center.

Puerto Plata has a large number of protected areas, of great beauty, in Isabela, which was the First City of the New World and also has the manatee sanctuary in Los Canos de Punta Rusia. Luperon Bay is a very safe natural marine which attracts thousands of yachtsmen and sailors annually. We must also mention the investment made by the Meister family for building the most attractive theme park in the world, the World Ocean.

Cesar Jose de los Santos said that we are looking for a way to energize and promote this destination through holding international events, like the World Cup of Kiteboarding in Cabarete among others, where international press is present and can project images of the destination in countless ways. He also felt that the area should exploit the fact that Brugal Rum has its origin in this city. They even have plans to make a Museum of Rum.

Finally he stressed that the area is becoming a major tourist destination for real estate. Everyday there are new residential tourism projects, the natural and cultural attractions in addition to the services we offer, large air connectivity, quality health care, etc… In conclusion there will be much tourism in Puerto Plata for many decades and we have large groups of investors around the world investing in new hotels and the renovation of others, such as Globalia Group of Juan Jose Hidalgo.

Puerto Plata Live, 16.07.10

Puerto Plata needs exclusive promotion

Aerial view of the Puerto Plata city, Dominican Republic According to the president of the Association of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism

BREAKING NEWS: Puerto Plata.- The president of the Association of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management North (Ashonorte), Maximo Iglesias, said that the promotion exclusively in the U.S. markets, Canada, England and Europe is a key to the recovery of tourism in Puerto Plata.

In that sense, Mr. Iglesias stated that last month the Ministry of Tourism was formally petitioned for the creation of a special emergency fund " of five million dollars for the exclusive promotion of Puerto Plata as a tourist destination.

Ashonorte President cited the sharp drop in passenger arrivals and departures in recent years by the Gregorio Luperon International Airport as an example of the decline of tourism in Puerto Plata. He also suggested that the number of passengers has been falling steadily, almost 50 percent in the last ten years.

Currently, most hotels have been renovated. What happened is that there is the perception that in Puerto Plata there are many hotels that are in poor condition. It is true that some hotels are closed, specifically four in Playa Dorada.These hotels, for one reason or another, have never been renovated. I think it is the duty of each hotel owner, because after all this affects the whole destination, expressed Iglesias.

According to the tourism entrepreneur, another factor that stops the growth of this destination, is that while Puerto Plata was sinking, the tourist sector of Bávaro-Punta Cana grew so exorbitantly, offering over 30,000 rooms, including art hotels, national chains and international hotels.

Puerto Plata has dropped prices to such a low level that they cannot be dropped any lower.If so, the hoteliers go bankrupt. Amid all this, the lack of promotion at international level has caused the name of Puerto Plata not to be mentioned anywhere, said Iglesias.

Puerto Plata Live, 21.07.10