The South´s Time Has Come to Develop Tourism Potential, says Minister of Tourism

Speaking in Pedernales, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García Fernández said the time has come for the southern part of the country to develop its tourism potential and that his goal is to turn this region into the fourth tourism area of the country. He stressed, however, that this must be done in a way that is sustainable and in harmony with the region´s environment.

“The moment has come to give this part of the country the opportunity to begin its development. We are going to enter the South full speed ahead and we´re not going to be deterred,¨

In a meeting with authorities and organizations from civil society, Minister Fernández said that Pedernales has impressive touristic biodiversity which will complement, along with Barahona, the other provinces in the region of Enriquillo, the type of tourism being sought by visitors from abroad, according to the Office of Press and Communications.

“The moment has come to give this part of the country the opportunity to begin its development. We are going to enter the South full speed ahead and we´re not going to be deterred,¨ said Fernández who added that developing the south will improve the general tourism situation in the DR because of the region´s lush atmosphere and unique natural resources.

“Not everyone likes to spend all their vacation time at the beach. Tourists are demanding other types of destinations and offerings which is precisely what the Southern part of the country has to offer,” he said.

“We at the Tourism Ministry have taken a firm and conscious decision that the South´s time for tourism development has finally arrived,” he added. He continued to explain how this development would be different and how it would focus on alleviating rather than creating pockets of poverty; it will be ecological in that it will safeguard its areas and it will be a tourism project with significant investment and excellent quality of work.

He said the Southern coast was blessed by God, pointing to the region’s beautiful beaches, natural parks like Bahoruco and Jaragua as well as its lush landscapes and attractions that will add to and complement tourism in the North, East and Northeast.

“In the South, there are conditions for sustainable, conservational and adventure tourism development. Tourism in this area is not like other areas such as Punta Cana, Bávaro, Puerto Plata, Samaná and Las Terrenas. This area offers a different type of tourism where we have lakes, rivers, endemic species, exotic animals and, best of all, the people of the area: southerners are not at all timid and this is what visitors enjoy, hospitality,” said the Minister.

After highlighting the Southern region’s numerous qualities, García Fernández said “we need to take a decision. The Tourism Ministry cannot push this on its own; we need you to work with us.”

To begin tourism development in Pedernales, he designated the architect Maribel Villalona, Director of the Planning and Projects Department (DPP), to be the link between the Tourism Ministery (SECTUR) and the eco-tourism clusters of Barahona, Pedernales, the hotels, the authorities and social organizations in designing the master plan for the development of the potential tourism of the Southern region.

He also proposed that the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ANONAHORES) offer its expertise in tourism development. He promised to hire the best technicians and professionals in eco-tourism from Costa Rica. This Central American country is recognized around the world as a model for its successful implementation and development of eco-tourism.

He added that no one, not even those who live there, are aware of the potential of Padernales. People always talk about Bahía de las Águilas but there is extraordinary potential in this area that needs to be developed so that the eyes of the world will begin to see what is happening in this part of the country.

“We are going to sell Barahona and Pedernales at the national and international tourism trade fairs so that tourists will begin their exploration routes through this part of the Dominican Republic. We have the most important element for success when developing a tourism area: a good highway,” he explained.

He reiterated that SECTUR is prepared to work for the promotion of tourism in this area and that it considers this activity to be the starting point of elimination of poverty in the South.

“This region needs a healthy push, one that will move it toward development and that will help the local people develop without having to leave their towns,” he said.

He said it is also necessary that Pedernales resolves it problem of land registration. “This issue has to be dealt with. I do not fear that tourism development will create any difficulties nor that it will harm the environment nor the delimited areas. There are conditions for designing a development plan without difficulty. No one is suggesting that the protected areas will be touched. What we need to do is take the first step.”

The Encounter

The encounter was headed by the Tourism office of the Pedernales province. Others at the meeting were Governor Francisco Jiménez Sena; Senator Dionis Sánchez; Deputy Tati Matos; the Parish priest, Antonio Fernández; and the president of the Eco-tourism Cluster, Marino Ponceti, among important people from the province.

Others at the meeting included Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ANONAHORES); Frank Rainieri of the Punta Cana Group; Abraham Selman of Puerto Plata Village and Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva, vice president of the Dominican Banco Popular for the Tourism Sector.

Official representation included Gabriel Rodríguez, assistant to the Minister; deputy tourism ministers César José de los Santos and José Santana, responsible for the Northern and Southern regions of the country, respectively, and Maribel Villalona, Director of the DPP.

Tourism Minister, Francisco Javier García, with deputy tourism minister for the Southern region, José Santana, looking at the El Quemaito Beach in Barahona. .

Dionis Sánchez, Senador from Pedernales; Francisco Javier García, Toursim Minister; Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, President of ANONAHORES and Francisco Jiménez Sena, Governor of Pedernales. .

Dionis Sánchez, Senador from Pedernales; Francisco Javier García, Toursim Minister; Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, President of ANONAHORES.