The project will have a projected investment of 68 million dollars
President Luis Abinader inaugurated the construction work yesterday, Sunday, on the Samaná Port tourist port , located in Arroyo Barril , a project that represents a transcendental step for the economic and tourist development of the Northeast region and the Central Cibao.
The port, which was formerly a cargo terminal , will now be transformed for tourist use after its design is approved.
The project will have a projected investment of 68 million dollars and seeks to transform the historic Duarte port , inaugurated in 1977 as a free port, into a modern cruise terminal and tourist facilities area.
This change of use will not only raise Samaná's profile on the Caribbean tourist map, but will also generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and boost local commerce.
Tourism Minister David Collado stated that this project will diversify the country's tourism offerings and strengthen its destination brand. He emphasized that they are creating the conditions for tourism development so that visitors don't just stay inside the cruise terminal, but also go out and explore.
"Because that's what tourism sustainability is about: if it permeates the entire community, the wealth of tourism is distributed.".
Meanwhile, the executive director of the Dominican Port Authority, Jean Luis Rodríguez , emphasized the importance of the project, which he described as a key undertaking for the region's economic and tourism development. public-private partnership model , symbolizes the government's commitment to territorial equity, job creation, and the country's growth.
Likewise, the executive director of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), Andrés Lugo , emphasized the pioneering nature of the project, which marks a milestone in the history of public-private partnerships in the country, as it is the first infrastructure project executed under this model.
ITM Group CEO Mauricio Hamui expressed feeling deeply honored to be part of this sustainable transformation that Samaná will experience.
“The arrival of cruise ships from the main Caribbean shipping companies will bring dynamism to the economy, to tourism and, above all, new opportunities for the people of this beautiful region,” he noted.
The new terminal will feature an access plaza and commercial area, a water park, a food court, a craft market, spaces for cultural and recreational activities, and docking piers with the capacity to receive up to two vessels simultaneously.
The terminal will transform Samaná into a benchmark for cruise tourism in the Caribbean , benefiting both the province and neighboring communities. Beyond its infrastructure, this project represents a model of development, inclusion, and a forward-looking vision , aligned with the Dominican government's strategy of decentralization and sustainable growth .
