The Dominican Republic participates in the meeting of “The most beautiful bays in the world” Club with the intention of entering the Samaná and El Rincón Bays.

Since May 15, a delegation from the Dominican Republic has been participating in the 5th World Bay Congress, which is being celebrated in Setubal, Portugal under the slogan United by Oceans. The event is being sponsored by the Republic of Portugal, the ministers of Environment and Tourism from Portugal, the mayor of Setubal and representatives from UNESCO.

The club, a French organization sponsored by UNESCO, includes thirty bays around the world in twenty different countries.

The club, a French organization sponsored by UNESCO, includes thirty bays around the world in twenty different countries. The goal of the event is to preserve and help these special areas in a sustainable way.

“Membership in the club presents an opportunity for the inhabitants of Samana, Galeras, and for the entire country, because it will give these magnificent bays more global recognition and prestige while at the same time helping them value and preserve their natural and cultural resources,” said Patricio Guzmán who represents the El Rincón Bay and the Pro-Development Association of “Las Galeras” (ASODEGA) in this project.

“Forming part of a network and exchanging with officials of other bays, promoting Samaná as a tourist destination, being able to use their logo and converting the bays into places of reference for sustainable tourism are all valuable assets of being part of the club,” explained Guzmán.

“It all began with the concern of a French friend, Luc Litzler, who came up with the idea to include the Samaná bay, the project began to gain ground and we decided to add El Rincón bay. With the help of the local community, we’ve kept on working with enthusiasm for this and we’re in this event to inscribe our candidature,” Guzmán added.

The final decision about acceptance will be announced at the next meeting of the club’s board of directors in September 2009 in Santander, Spain. If accepted, the bays will receive an official diploma as members of the club during the next General Assembly in 2010 in Vietnam with the right to use the logo for authorized organizations and people.

Apart from Patricio Guzmán, the Dominican delegation included Luc Litzler, coordinator; Giulio Marín, marine biologist who represents both bays; Maribel Villalona, representing the Secretary of Tourism; Augusto González, maritime businessman who representing the Samaná Bay and the journalist Javier Noguera.

This project has the backing of entities such as the Center for Conservation and Eco-Development of the Samaná Bay, ASODEGA, and authorities and representatives of Samaná, Las Galeras and Sánchez y Sabana de la Mar. Participation in the event is being sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.

Related link: http://www.world-bays.com/