SANTO DOMINGO, RD – After years of intermittent progress, tourism in the south of the Dominican Republic is once again at the center of national debate, with a view to its definitive rebirth, following a meeting between the region's legislators and representatives of the Southern Tourism Clusters.
The meeting was held at the National Congress, with the objective of consolidating a joint strategy to reactivate tourism development in a sustainable and productive way in the area, under a unified and long-term vision.
Senator Julito Fulcar of Peravia led the meeting, in which Juan Tejeda, spokesperson for the clusters and president of the Baní Tourism and Production Cluster, presented the regional articulation proposal under the "South Coast" brand, in front of legislators and territorial leaders of the clusters of San Cristóbal, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, Azua, Barahona, Elías Piña, Pedernales, San Juan, Independencia and Bahoruco.
“The goal of this meeting is to open a permanent channel of dialogue and coordination between Congress and the local stakeholders who promote tourism in the south. We are facing a historic opportunity to transform our potential into a true industry that benefits the communities,” Fulcar stated.
One way to remove the brake
During the event, it was acknowledged that tourism development in the south has made significant progress, but its impact has been limited by inequalities and a lack of continuity, with a lack of institutionalization of clusters in provinces such as Independencia and Bahoruco, and a disconnect between projects.
Juan Tejeda detailed a proposal structured around five key pillars: institutional strengthening, financial sustainability, legislative support, joint promotion under the Costa del Sur brand, and support for the Southern Clusters Regional Forum, which will be held on October 11 in Baní.
“We have the necessary elements to make the South a competitive, authentic, and sustainable tourist destination. We want this initiative to transcend the local level and become public policy,” Tejeda stated.
Multi-destination vision
The senators present agreed on the need to promote a multi-destination vision, based on the strengths of each province. Senator Gustavo Lara Salazar of San Cristóbal requested technical support from the Ministry of Tourism to gather data, identify capabilities, and work with evidence. Meanwhile, Senator Aneudy Ortiz Sajiun of Ocoa advocated for the reactivation of the Ecotourism Development Council and for integrating tourism clusters into local investment and development plans.
Successful experiences such as the Barahona Cluster, a pioneer since 2005, and the Baní Cluster, both supported by international cooperation, were highlighted as replicable models in other areas.
As a concrete result, the senators reaffirmed their legislative support for the presented initiatives and their institutional support for the Regional Forum on October 11, an event poised to be a turning point for tourism in the south. This meeting could represent a firm step toward the tourism revival of the Dominican south, a region rich in history, culture, nature, and warm hospitality, with the opportunity to align itself under a shared vision: to transform the South Coast into a leading destination for sustainable tourism in the Caribbean.
