Puerto Plata begins preparing for the arrival of cruise ships with the first inter-agency meeting in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce

Puerto Plata begins preparing for the arrival of cruise ships with the first inter-agency meeting in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce
Santo Domingo, January 11, 2014

The Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata hosted the first inter-agency meeting related to the implementation of the “Puerto Plata Ciudad Crucerista (Puerto Plata Cruise City),” which it coordinates together with various organizations related to the local tourism sector.

This event was an important step in bringing together representatives from some 40 organizations from the province. They were shown the initial work plan and methodology that will be implemented to address the various actions to be undertaken by the agencies involved in the development of tourism in the area.

At the opening ceremony, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Ángel Amaury Plá, described the objectives and the importance of this plan for the current efforts that are taking place in order to reposition the province within the tourism industry.

He said that, a first major step is to start creating the proper conditions to achieve a suitable profile for the types of customers who will disembark, starting next year, on the North Coast. He indicated that, through the “Puerto Plata Cruise City” project, there will be inter-agency coordination with a view to providing an optimal and integral service at the destination.

In this regard, Juan Pablo González, Coordinator of the Business and Investment Unit at the Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the platform that they are to implement and the importance of working by consensus and involving all stakeholders.

González explained that the proposed scheme includes four stages of project development: planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the initiatives. “The implementation of these actions will be made in the areas of awareness, education, campaigns and, possibly, the development and implementation of a manual of good practice to be shared with all service providers in the area,” he stated.

A delegation of the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), headed by Orfila Salazar, Director of the Department of Cruises, and Lorenzo Sacassani, Provincial Director of Tourism in this city, attended the event.

In her speech, Salazar made ??an important presentation on the various issues related to the suitability of the tourist destination, mentioning several aspects such as security, the standardization of service fees, labeling, promotion, language learning, the creation of the destination’s own crafts, cleaning, efficient emergency plans, signage, strategic security plan, among other factors she considers that should be taken into account to ensure the permanence of the cruise industry in Puerto Plata. Also, she offered her support, as well as that of the agency under her responsibility, to contribute to the process that is under implementation.

In turn, Sancassani said that, from the provincial office of the Ministry of Tourism, various actions are taking place to set the stage for such purposes, such as the plan to remodel the historic center with an investment of RD$280 million. He also announced the creation of a cruise agency for the destination.
During the meeting it was stressed that the Chamber of Commerce, as the driving force behind the project, will serve as a coordinating body for the actions to be implemented by the agencies that will work directly in each of the areas included in the plan.

The meeting was attended by the following agencies: the City Council of Puerto Plata, the Maimón District Board, the Playa Dorada Hotel Association, ASHONORTE, ASHORESOCA, the Tourism Cluster of the Puerto Plata Destination, ADOMPRETUR, the Tour Guides Associations, the Federation of Tourist Taxis, the Puerto Plata Merchants Association, the Bishopric, FEDANORTE, INFOTEP, the UMPC Network, and all public safety and emergency road agencies, among others.