1. Where is the tourism industry heading in the Dominican Republic?

‍The tourism industry is of high interest to the current administration. In the Dominican Republic we are working on a public investment plan to diversify our tourism activities, towards a much more sustainable and inclusive approach. We also want to strengthen the regulatory framework. In the next 10 years, we will see strong investments in tourism segments such as luxury, sports, entertainment, culture, and gastronomy. We have defined master plans for new touristic zones which combines meeting with investors and investment programs and includes local communities. Without a doubt, our goal is to exceed 10 million tourists, attract visitors from new countries, all the while consolidating ourselves as a safe, diversified, and sustainable destination.

2. What are your objectives for 2023?‍

Our goal is to set a record of arrivals in 2023 and to recover 100% employment in all the value chain. We are currently at 92%, this will be achieved by increasing the average occupancy rate above 75% and attracting new investments. The tourism industry directly and indirectly employs 20% of the workforce and is the main source of foreign direct investment in the country. The development of real estate tourism is also a high priority as we want visitors that stay longer and with second homes in the country. ‍

3. What are the actions that are being taken to promote the 5 pillars of the “Marca País”? 

Tourism combines these 5 pillars, as the coordinator of the “Marca País”, we have established a working agenda in conjunction with the investment and export promotion agency, ProDominicana, to guarantee coherence in the actions. We actively participate in important tourism and investment fairs, in each of them we highlight the value of the Dominican Republic brand. In addition, the multisectoral commission that leads the country brand strategy is made up of business leaders which own brands of national pride in all industries. 

The tourism pillar is managed with a 360-degree vision, working hand in hand with the main investors, guaranteeing respect for investment rules and carrying out the promotion strategy in conjunction with the private sector. We are developing a more inclusive tourism, close to the community, which strengthens the relationship between tourism, exports, culture, and citizenship, as well as promoting all our products and the national brand. There is an internal plan for the development of the values and pillars of the country brand, in homes, schools and companies.

4. Which new destinations and market niches are being promoted? 

The administration of President Luis Abinader focuses on diversification and the development of forgotten areas.
Firstly, the second phase of the revitalization of the colonial zone, a World Heritage Site, has begun. This will bring new investments, promote culture, and will bring benefits to the local community. Moreover, a development of the North Coast is being carried out, with a project that seeks to combine tourism, with innovation and the film industry and which includes the revitalization of the beaches and the rehabilitation of cultural heritage. Finally, Miches is being developed in the eastern area, a destination of virgin beaches, with a sustainable tourism approach.

In terms of market niches, we support sports tourism, since we have one of the best world destinations for water sports on Cabarete Beach. We also have great aspirations for nautical tourism, several fishing tournaments are already taking place nowadays. We are currently developing the legal framework to continue developing this type of tourism. We are the main golf destination in the Caribbean and Central America, with 28 golf courses. Another rapidly growing niche is gastronomic tourism, which focuses on local gourmet food.

We have also begun to implement our Community Tourism strategy with the Japanese Cooperation Agency (JICA), in the northern area several businesses have already been certified under this category.

5. Which strategies have been put in place to attract Foreign Direct Investment? 

It is well known that foreign investment reaches a country with economic opportunities, growth political stability, respect for the rules of the game and good prospects for future policies. 

The Dominican Republic has all of that and more. We are the fastest growing country in the region and one of the fastest growing in the world. We have a highly diversified, open economy with great political and social stability. In 2020 during the Covid 19 pandemic, an historical change of government took place, under an atmosphere of social peace and cooperation of all the actors. We have investment incentive laws in key sectors such as Tourism. In addition, we have defined master plans for different areas of tourism development, and we are implementing an investment plan that makes private investment attractive in these areas. Constantly and from different platforms, we are talking with potential as well as current investors, establishing ties to continue attracting investment, as a source of employment and well-being for the country. Finally, the president has defined a reform plan to prepare the market for further growth.

6. What business and tourism development opportunities are there with the Middle East? ‍

The Middle East is undoubtedly a huge market, with more and more consumers, travelers, and capital to invest but it is a market that we must know in depth to establish long-term relationships. We have good diplomatic relations with this area, and we have started to develop tourism. We are defining a strategy to penetrate this market, Turkish Airways, a leader in the aviation sector, will start flights soon. Since our arrival, Qatar has shown a growing interest in the tourism sector and in establishing regular flights (we currently have charter flights). Very soon, we will establish direct flights from Israel to Punta Cana.‍

‍7. What is your final message for the readers of Khaleej Times?

‍In almost all my presentations I like to leave the following message: Let's not let fear be the legacy of this pandemic. On the contrary, we have achieved so much that hope must be our greatest legacy and our engine moving forward. By being united, societies, governments, businesses, and academia will emerge stronger. 

Tourism awaits its best decade in history, and in the Dominican Republic we are working tirelessly to be ready. In these 10 years, we want to lift more Dominicans out of poverty, create more and better jobs, strengthen our relationship with the rest of the world and make a greater and happier Dominican Republic.

‍