SANTO DOMINGO –The Ministry of Tourism continues to promote its strategy to position Santiago de los Caballeros as one of the Dominican Republic's leading tourist destinations. To this end, the administration, headed by David Collado, announced yesterday that, together with the private sector, it will invest more than 400 million pesos, with the initial funds earmarked for developing the city's brand.
The official made the announcement while participating in a meeting yesterday, Wednesday, with business leaders and heads of development institutions in Santiago. The plan will be coordinated and implemented by the private sector.
Of the projected amount, a sum will be allocated for the renovation of the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, an iconic infrastructure of the Heart City and the main tourist attraction of the province.
Collado said he is committed to the tourism development of Santiago. "That's why we took Santiago to the Anato Fair in Colombia, and that's why we want to make the necessary investments hand in hand with the private sector of this province to boost the city's brand and increase the number of tourists arriving in this area every day.".
During the meeting, the necessary guidelines for developing a tourism strategy for Santiago de los Caballeros were also discussed, based on four fundamental pillars that will be defined by the private sector.
Businessman Manuel Estrella expressed his gratitude to Collado for his willingness to work hand in hand with the private sector.
"This is an opportunity for our city, as we have a minister who is determined to support our tourism and development initiatives, so it is now up to the private sector to seize this opportunity to boost our city," Estrella explained.
Ricardo Founder explained that, as part of the Santiago Commitment, plans will be implemented to provide monthly follow-ups to the Santiago tourism relaunch plan.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the organization called Compromiso Santiago, which brings together the city's business and development institutions.
Among those present were Carlos Iglesias, from the Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production; Sandy Filpo, from the Association of Merchants and Industrialists; Ramón Paulino, from the Santiago Tourism Cluster; Fernando Capellán, from the Association for Development; Augusto Reyes, a businessman in the tobacco sector; and Edmundo Aja, from the hotel sector, among other businessmen.
