Dominican Authorities at Odds on whether the Nation’s Tourism Has Lost its Edge

Dominican Authorities at Odds on whether the Nation’s Tourism Has Lost its Edge

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia Wednesday questioned the World Economic Forum report which affirms that Dominican republic’s tourism has lost competitiveness, noting that the local tourism sector wasn’t consulted.

But for the National Hotels and Tourism Association the report results from high costs, lack of roads and the insecurity it affirms affects their sector, as well as the lack of promotion of the new local offer.

Garcia, speaking during the ITB Berlin tourism fair, called Dominican Republic the Caribbean region’s tourism powerhouse, as evidenced by the Dominican Golf Tour Operators Association award as the No.1 destination for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2009. “The country has been growing and has become the consolidated leader among 23 nations and this is obviously because it has been doing well.”

But Asonahores spokesman Arturo Villanueva cited Puerto Plata as an example, where costs and deficiency energy have further eroded that destination’s competitiveness.

Another example is Puerto Rico, where he affirms electricity costs 12 U.S. cents per kilowatt, compared with as high as 30 cents locally.

The business leader also noted that Punta Cana (east) doesn’t have blackouts because it buys energy from private companies.

Villanueva said Juan Dolio and Guayacanes have had a development diversified with real estate properties, courses golf and marinas, but that those new supplies must be promoted and that stops it is needed major economic resources.

Villanueva also complained that Pedernales, which has one of the world’s most pristine beaches, has yet to be developed because of what he considers difficulties with the Jaragua National Park, which in his view has curtailed investors’ interest given the numerous protected areas there.