Dominican Tourism Affected by Toxic Wastes

The inflow of tourists toward Samana and the seaport of Manzanillo, both in northwestern Dominican Republic, has slipped dramatically as a result of pollution caused by the dumping of toxic wastes on the premises. Political leaders are pinning the blame of the country’s ecological disaster on the government.

Former President and presidential candidate for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Leonel Fernandez, accused President Hipolito Mejia for greenlighting the dumping of toxic wastes in the area.

Mr. Fernandez, who’s leading all national polls in the face of the May 16 general elections, spoke in a meeting organized by the Independent Movement of the Environmental Sector for Leonel (MISAL is the acronym in Spanish).

PLD activists assessed compliance with laws that regulate the country’s environmental protection.

Another complaint about polluting toxic wastes was made by Hector Rodriguez Pimentel, member of the opposition Reform Social Christian Party, who informed about an increasingly larger amount of travelers that have called off their reservations in the destination of Samana.

Mr. Pimentel explained the situation has pushed the panic button among tourists who fear about falling down with diseases derived from toxic wastes in the sands. The stampede is inflicting heavy losses on the location and hitting the local travel industry hard, he warned.