Tourism Ministry and Japanese Cooperation Agency Strengthen Sustainable Tourism Plans

Dominican Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier García, recently met with the directors of the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) who reiterated their interest in expanding joint cooperation initiatives between the two institutions.

García said that soon his ministry will implement the “Tourism for Everyone” program to promote tourism among Dominicans and encourage them to visit the many ecotourism attractions…

Dominican Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier García, recently met with the directors of the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) who reiterated their interest in expanding joint cooperation initiatives between the two institutions.

He announced, in this order, the opening of a joint SECTUR-Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA) office which will take on the task of evaluating all projects related to the conservation of natural resources and the commitment to carry out environmental impact studies for all new tourism projects.

García said that soon his ministry will implement the “Tourism for Everyone” program to promote tourism among Dominicans and encourage them to visit the many ecotourism attractions around their own country, such as Saona Island and our national parks.

He said the SECTUR will promote ecotourism among foreign visitors in the DR as well as to the domestic market.

The JICA courtesy visit to García´s office was headed by JICA´s Director, Kiyoshi Yoshimoto who was accompanied by Huáscar Peña, official of JICA´s Program for Sustainable Tourism; Takashi Aoki, Program for Sustainable Tourism´s advisor, and Takeshi Omura, staff member of the National Strategic Plan for the Development of Ecotourism (EPENDE). Radhamés Martínez Aponte, Deputy Minister of Tourism was also present.

JICA´s assistance also implies training of technicians in Japan, a large sustainable tourism project to foment public and private cooperation…

One of the goals of the PTS is to develop the capacity to encourage alternative, sustainable tourism through the conservation of natural resources and participation of the involved communities.

Currently JICA technicians are working with SECTUR and SEMARENA in four areas: ecotourism products, legal and institutional framework, community participation and marketing promotion.

Three other pilot projects underway include: Bayahibe-Padre Nuestro, La Descubierta and Social Network System.

JICA´s assistance also implies training of technicians in Japan, a large sustainable tourism project to foment public and private cooperation in Puerto Plata, volunteer programs and internships among other crucial support initiatives for the National Strategic Plan for the Development of Ecotourism (EPENDE).

JICA has been collaborating with the Dominican Republic in various areas of development for the past 35 years.

Francisco García, Minister of Tourism; Kiyoshi Yoshimoto, director of JICA; Takashi Aoki, Program for Sustainable Tourism´s advisor; Takeshi Omura, member of the National Strategic Plan for the Development of Ecotourism (EPENDE).

Huáscar Peña, official of JICA´s Program for Sustainable Tourism; Radhamés Martínez Aponte, Radhamés Martínez Aponte, Deputy Minister of Tourism; Francisco García, Minister of Tourism, Kiyoshi Yoshimoto, Director de la JICA; Takashi Aoki, Program for Sustainable Tourism´s advisor; Takeshi Omura, member of the National Strategic Plan for the Development of Ecotourism (EPENDE).