Swiss Tourism to Dominican Republic on the Rise

As part of Tourism Minister Félix Jiménez’s trip to Spain, Italy and Switzerland, the Tourism Minister held a series of meetings with the main tour operators and press outlets. In Switzerland, he procured bilateral links and familiarized the Swiss market with the Dominican government’s institutions through the Tourism Zones Infrastructure Executor Committee (CEIZTUR).

Félix Jiménez discussed the 7.24% growth of the Swiss tourism market in the Dominican Republic between January and May 2008

In a press conference in Zurich, Félix Jiménez discussed the 7.24% growth of the Swiss tourism market in the Dominican Republic between January and May 2008 and the 25% just in the month of May as compared with last year. This tendency will likely continue throughout the winter of 2008-2009 given the increase in airplane flights into the DR.

Impact of New Infrastructure Projects

Mr. Jiménez referred to the Salamandra Hot Springs Project in Canoa, Barahona with its investment of 25 billion pesos and an initial $800 million dollars. The project is expected to be completed by 2012. The complex will offer 1,000 guest rooms, a convention center, tennis courts built to international competition standards and hot springs for spa treatments, Minister Jiménez said.

He added that large hotel projects are also underway such as Westin Roko Ki, which will open at the end of the year, and the Sanctuary Cap Cana, the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons in La Romana.

Jiménez pointed out that the Dominican government, through CEIZTUR, has earmarked US$450 million dollars to improve tourism infrastructure and another US$650 million to be invested over the next two-year period. Among the investments, he mentioned the regeneration of the beaches of the Costa Norte (North Coast) and Juan Dolio beach as well as improvements to the sanitary system of Puerto Plata.

The upcoming projects to be carried out will include new highways that will unite the country’s various tourism areas such as the Santo Domingo – Samaná route, already inaugurated, which reduces the drive between the two destinations from four hours to two hours. He also pointed to the construction of game and fishing reserves and cable cars leading up to the Diego de Ocampo and Mogote Peaks. There is a plan to diversify tourism among the convention, golfing, and yachting visitors.

He emphasized the positive great impact the highway from Punta Cana will have on tourism development in Miches and Samaná and the ferry between Miches to Samaná in addition to the construction of new marinas, hotels and sanitary infrastructure.

He explained that by improving its public infrastructure and hotel offering, the Dominican Republic becomes a destination for even the most demanding traveler who seeks luxury and comfort. A decade ago, he noted, the average cost of building a hotel room was $40,000 dollars and today it is more than $140,000. “In fact, there are hotels, like the Sanctuary Cap Cana, that have invested one million dollars per room. Imagine the luxury of such a place.”

He explained that by improving its public infrastructure and hotel offering, the Dominican Republic becomes a destination for even the most demanding traveler who seeks luxury and comfort.

Present at the event with Minister Jiménez was the Dominican Ambassador in Switzerland, José Ares Germán; Luis López, President of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES); Petra Cruz, SECTUR Director for Europe, about 20 tour operators and influential Swiss media outlets including Sonntags Zeitung, Golf Times, Travel Manager, Schweizer Touristik, Travel Incide.

Tour Operators Increase Their Operations

The Minister took a close look at the current market with important tour operators such as Kuoni Reisen AG, Hotelplan, Caribtours, Travelhouse and Tui Suiza.

With the idea of increasing Swiss travel agency trips to the DR, it was agreed upon with some agencies work in conjunction with SECTUR.

In addition, Tui Suiza decided to double its capacity of guaranteed seats with Belait for this coming winter, making it the third largest Swiss DR-destined tour operator with 20% of the market. Kuoni has a 28% share, Hotelplan 26% and others hold the remaining 25%, according to TUI estimates.

Hotelplan also expressed its intention to add an additional Belair/Air Berlin Zurich/PUJ/Zurich flight thus increasing seat capacity in the Swiss market by 30%.

The meetings and press conferences were coordinated by Petra Cruz, Director of SECTUR for Europe and the Dominican Office of Tourism Promotion in Germany. The President of ASONAHORES, as well as its main executives, participated in the tourism meetings.

Minister Jiménez extended his stay in Switzerland from Wednesday to Friday of last week. He will return to the DR this Monday.

Petra Cruz, Luis López and Félix Jiménez.