Tourism Information Office to Open in Colonial City

Tourism Information Office to Open in Colonial City

The Archbishop of Santo Domingo ceded a significant part of the Herrera-Borgella Palace to the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) where it will set up a Tourism Information Center to assist international visitors to the Dominican Capital and above all, the Colonial City.

“What we want is for tourists who visit Colonial City, most of whom are arriving on cruises, to feel comfortable, well received and with the highest levels of information and documentation…”

The meeting took place between Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García with his Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez in which they agreed to open a Tourism Information Center at some point in the first quarter of next year. The new center, which will be at the disposal of national as well as international visitors, is part of the activities surrounding the Santo Domingo, American Cultural Capital program, according to the Press and Communication Office of SECTUR.

They discussed the issue of Religious Tourism and what it represents. They talked about the immediate possibility of incorporating a religious monuments tour route into the national tourism agenda. This would cover the entire country as well as the nation’s 500 year colonial history.

Mr. García Fernández’s visit was held in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect. Providing SECTUR with the opportunity to install the Information Center in the Palace in Colonial City demonstrates His Eminence Cardinal López Rodríguez’s understanding and appreciation of the importance of tourism in the DR.

Those present at the meeting included the Deputy Minister of Tourism Fausto Fernández; the architect Eugenio Pérez Montás, Director of the Construction Office for the Archbishopric of Santo Domingo and Doctor Fabio Herrera, among others. The meeting was held in Cardinal López Rodríguez’s residence.

The Cardinal told Mr. García Fernández that the Archbishopric of Santo Domingo would work in preparation for the Cathedral Museum, a monument that will display works of art, documents and historical information that dates back to over 400 years ago.

García Fernández said the Tourism Information Center will have the necessary infrastructure to receive tourists visiting the Colonial City. He said visitors will receive information and services from highly-trained and qualified personnel who will also be fluent in more than two languages in addition to Spanish.

“What we want is for tourists who visit Colonial City, most of whom are arriving on cruises, to feel comfortable, well received and with the highest levels of information and documentation, access to the latest technological equipment and access to high quality health services, comfort and hygiene,” said García Fernández.

The Tourism Minister noted that there is enormous tourism and cultural potential in Colonial City and that it is sought after by international visitors because it is the first city in the New World. He added that this important project, the Tourism Information Center, will attract a great deal of well-deserved attention.

Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, speaking with Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez.

Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García explains the plans being carried out by the Ministry in Colonial City. Also at the meeting were Fausto Fernández, Deputy Minister of Tourism in the South Central office and the architect Eugenio Pérez Montás and Fabio Herrera, among others.

Eugenio Pérez Montás, architect, shows the historic-religious documents to Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.