Dominican Republic Tourism Report and Strategy 2023

-What has been the strategy?

Among others, we have had a very direct approach with the operators, and we have managed to organize a platform with 8,000 travel agents and tour operators to have a direct relationship with them and keep them up to date with what is offered and happening in the Dominican Republic.

-Tourism is travelers… and investments.

The important thing is not the number of projects, which are many, both real estate tourism and hotels. The important thing is the brands that, post-pandemic, have decided to enter the country. The W Punta Cana all-inclusive, the St. Regis, the Ritz Carlton all-inclusive, the Four Seasons… the best brands in the world want to move in. We are in the best moment of tourism and the Country Brand.

-How much does this mean in money?

Right now only in Miches there are new investments worth a billion dollars in projects under construction. Thousands of rooms.

-Will there be a beach for so many people?

Everyone wants to come! In total, there are projects worth 4 billion dollars under construction.

Here in the city…

-Mitur is responsible for the works of the Colonial City. Do you dare to give a delivery date?

Two years. The important thing is to know that works are being done in the Colonial City that have not been done for 50 years. The Alcázar of Colón, the Puerta de Misericordia, the facades of more than 13 churches have not been intervened for half a century and it is being done with funds from the Ministry of Tourism . Sidewalks, containers and storm drainage in peripheral neighborhoods to the center of the Colonial City are also being intervened because they deserve to experience part of the improvements of this silent and historic revolution that is being experienced in the Colonial City. The BID project that focuses on streets is designed to not stop traffic and move block by block. We are going to inaugurate the first two important avenues, Las Damas Street and Mercedes Street at the beginning of the year.

Dominican Republic Tourism Report and Strategy 2023-

There are voices that believe that it is a gentrification process that is expelling neighbors.

It is a common evolution of historic centers that are tourist destinations. Nobody is firing anyone. It’s supply and demand. The most expensive square meter in the capital right now is in the Colonial City. This comes with the investments that are being made. He who wants to sell will be able to sell better and gain capital. Nobody is expelling anyone. What we are doing is taking all measures so that the colonial City is a jewel worthy of being a World Heritage Site, as in fact it is.

-When is the intervention in El Conde?

By early 2024. The tender begins in December. And the parking project also starts. The Banreservas Trust will soon give the first push for a parking lot and there is already a commission chaired by Joel Santos, who also has the issue of the Billini Street parking lot, to speak with the mayor and find a solution.

Dominican Republic Tourism Report and Strategy 2023

Nautical tourism

-Does the tax exemption for yachts make sense? Do you believe in the development of nautical tourism?

I do not believe that it is the fiscal issue that prevents the development of nautical tourism. It’s the organization. Organize how many people, what institutions should get on a yacht when it arrives, what the protocols are. That is organized tourism, it is a community, similar to that of private flights. What is needed is organization, because they are constantly in communication with each other and a bad experience is shared.

Dominican Republic Tourism Report and Strategy 2023-

Does Mitur have a line of work in these two fields?

Yes, it launches in October. Because without any doubt, now we have to decide on diversity. In sports tourism, we are betting heavily on golf. Gastronomic tourism, cultural tourism… And we are asking for more luxury tourism offerings: this tourist spends four times more in the country than other types of tourists.

-Are we still appearing on the list of sex tourism destinations?

We are eradicating sexual tourism in Sosúa, which is the main focus of this problem in the country and especially the abuse of children and adolescents. The tourist who is looking for that should go to another country.

-You who were mayor… let’s talk about tourism and garbage. It is something that surprises the traveler.

Garbage is a challenge.

-A challenge or a big problem?

It is a challenge. And it does not fall within the Ministry of Tourism . In the different tourist centers, the issue of solid waste collection must be improved. It is a reality that it is up to the mayors to resolve.

Dominican Republic Tourism Report and Strategy 2023

Taxes on Airbnbs?

The 93,000 rooms on the Airbnb platform in the country are “a reality that Mitur can regularize, but not act on them to collect taxes,” explains Collado. The Ministry of Tourism is in advanced negotiations with Airbnb and in October the agreement will be signed to regularize the rooms, ensure that the offer corresponds to reality, and the services and safety of the tourist are guaranteed. Will they pay taxes? “That’s up to the DGII. The tax is not paid by the Dominican, it is paid by Airbnb and they are not opposed to paying. That is going well too.”

About 2024

-Impossible not to bring up the topic; What plans do you have for 2024?

Support for President Abinader.

-Already? Negotiated?

Conversed and agreed upon. The truth is that the relationship that the President of the Republic and I have now is literally as if we were brothers and friends from many years ago. We have a relationship of sincere friendship, of dialogue. We talk things through transparently, we sit down and plan. I am giving my full support to the re-election.

-And for 2028? A lot is missing!