Dominican Tourism Industry Begins Historic Hotels Classification

In what was described as a “historic” step to consolidate the country’s tourism industry, the government and the hoteliers announced a joint effort to classify the hundreds of lodgings and resorts, and coincides with more positive figures in occupancy and tourist arrivals released today.

Tourism minister Felix Jimenez, in a press conference this morning, said the implementation of the National Hotels Classification System (SNCH) was begun to establish standards of quality, and “optimize the international positioning of the Dominican tourism industry.” He said although a first classification took place in 1991, the one announced today applies wider criteria.

Accompanied by industry leaders grouped in the National Hotels and Restaurants Association (ASONAHORES), the official said the Spanish company ECA-Instituto de Calidad, was contracted via tender to design and apply the hotel classification system, at a cost of $381,353, with partial funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Tourism deputy minister Radhames Martinez Aponte, who heads the effort to classify the hotels, said it would be a topic debated among the industry representatives, to reach a consensus.

He said the evaluations –to take 250 days and cover that same number of hotels- include the installations for guests such as size, the availability of amenities such as pools and other facilities, and their environmental sustainability.