Taken from Hoy
SANTO DOMINGO.– Investments include the launch of new destinations in Miches and Pedernales and the consolidation of offerings in Santo Domingo.
Tourism is expected to close this year with investments exceeding US$550 million, thanks to approved projects and those currently underway, said Rafael Blanco Tejera, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
Speaking at the fifth edition of the Asonahores Investment Forum, he detailed that the investments include the launch of the new destinations of Miches and Pedernales; the consolidation of the offer in Santo Domingo, with multiple new hotels in the process of development, and the development of Santiago, with investments that aim to consolidate that city as a world-class urban destination.
Also included are the new Taíno Park cruise terminal in Puerto Plata; hotels in Monte Cristi; and the expansion of the eastern destination, with theme parks, multiple new hotels, and renovations of existing facilities.
“These extraordinary results are not by chance; they are the product of a defined and precisely executed strategy, based on a strong public-private partnership,” he noted.
Blanco Tejera pointed out that the investments the sector will make this year are occurring despite the ongoing effects of the pandemic at an international level, now with a new strain of the virus.
“The rebound in tourism activity in Samaná is remarkable, as is the strong boost we've received through our strategy of promoting health tourism, which has been so beneficial to us, especially during the pandemic,” he said.
Job recovery.
Referring to the sector's recovery, the president of Asonahores highlighted the increase in tourist arrivals that the country has experienced month after month, with 519,000 foreigners received in November alone, and the recovery of employment in this sector, which he assured has recovered more than 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
“We are confident that in the coming months we will surpass pre-pandemic levels,” he added.
He noted that macroeconomic indicators, based on the recent Bank of America report, suggest that the Dominican Republic will be among the fastest-growing economies in the region this year, with an estimated growth rate of over 11%. According to this leading institution, this growth is largely due to the robust recovery of the tourism sector.
“December reservations remain strong,” he said.
