During the past year, foreign direct investment amounted to 960 million dollars, which translated into 3,500 hotel rooms, 204,000 tourists and 19,000 direct and indirect jobs, figures that according to calculations by David Collado, will generate 20 billion pesos in taxes and 2.45 billion dollars in foreign exchange for the next ten years.
SANTO DOMINGO- Seventy-two hotel projects are currently under construction in ten provinces of the country, assured the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, at the launch last Friday of the Central Unit of Tourist Procedures.
“These projects will translate into $4.738 billion in investment, over 36 billion pesos in purchases from Dominican companies, more than 40,000 jobs, and 25,000 hotel rooms,” said Collado, who was accompanied at the event by President Luis Abinader.
In 2021 alone, the official stated, foreign direct investment amounted to 960 million dollars, which translated into 3,500 hotel rooms, 204,000 tourists and 19,000 direct and indirect jobs, figures that according to his calculations will generate 20 billion pesos in taxes and 2.45 billion dollars in foreign exchange over the next ten years.
Collado indicated that the Central Unit for Tourist Procedures will strengthen and attract foreign investment, which will boost the economy, generate jobs, and allow for the implementation of projects that will benefit all of Dominican society.
Speaking at the event, MITUR's Director of Planning and Projects, Shaney Peña, announced that from now on, printing plans will no longer be necessary. A digital signature and a unique QR code will be included for approved plans, saving time and doubling the team's productivity.
What is the Central Unit for Tourist Procedures (UCTT)?
It is a digital platform that connects the State institutions that are linked to the processes of project approval and licensing in the sector, reducing times, minimizing procedures, and giving the user supervisory control over all their processes.
In it, the user will be able to manage their different projects and requirements under a single profile, will be able to verify each stage of these, and will have feedback and constant communication with the areas of the ministry.
Likewise, you will send all your documents digitally, receive answers and digital service, and without having to leave your offices, you will know everything about the status of your procedures at the Ministry of Tourism.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, highlighted that this project is being carried out as part of a process of transformation and support for the entire sector, and for the partners who are committed to our destination every day and work towards the development of tourism.
"This project has been in planning and design for 18 months. Since 2020, the Ministry of Tourism has been digitizing and automating its internal processes for the user, encompassing all the procedures and permits that this institution granted to the value chain to guarantee quality in the supply of tourist services," Collado explained.
The UCTT encompasses all investment approval processes, as well as applications for operating licenses. This platform is the natural evolution of the strategy initiated in March 2021 with the launch of the One Mitur portal, which consolidates the services of the Ministry of Tourism and was the first step towards digitalization and cultural transformation, eventually evolving into a more comprehensive platform.
