The Ministry of Culture and the Tourism Cluster introduce plans for the La Isabela Historic Park

The Ministry of Culture and the Tourism Cluster introduce plans for the La Isabela Historic Park
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 08/15/2013

The Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster (CTDPP for its acronym in Spanish),together with the IMF – IDB project “Tourism Management Based on Cultural Resources,” participated in a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Culture,with the objective of outlining their proposals for collaboration to enhance the attractions of the La Isabela National Historical and Archaeological Park, which is located in the town of Luperón,in the Puerto Plata province, as a tourism product.

.. innovations are focused on specific actions, such as: strengthening the training of the local guides together with the Ministry of Tourism; incorporating an interpretive signage in the archaeological park and improving the already existing one in other areas; repairing road signs from Puerto Plata to the park facilities; and adapting the physical space and areas of production, exhibition and sale of handicrafts …

At the meeting, Karina Abbott, Coordinatorof the FOMIN Project, outlined to the Minister of Culture of the Dominican Republic,José Antonio Rodríguez, and to the other officials that attended the meeting,the initiatives and plans that the Tourism Cluster plans to implement in order toincrease the number of visitors to this unique resort destination.

She stated that the innovations are focused on specific actions, such as: strengthening the training of the local guides together with the Ministry of Tourism; incorporating an interpretive signage in the archaeological park and improving the already existing one in other areas; repairing road signs from Puerto Plata to the park facilities; and adapting the physical space and areas of production, exhibition and sale of handicrafts, among other initiatives.

Abbott stated that an agenda for joint work between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Cluster of Puerto Plata and the private sector,that is coherent for all the parties,should be definedto make the available resources more efficient.

She also said that we must work towards sustainability through social empowerment, where individuals recognize the value of the tourism experience and seek the preservation of their cultural identity.

She added that sustainable actions should be carried outfrom the various units of the ministry in order to implement the actions that have been proposed in the short-term, medium-term and long-term.

During the meeting, the following persons also offered their ideas: the delegate of the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development, AECID; the representative of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, Aracelis De Oleo; a consultant from the Acuerdo Interinstitucional; and Architect Esteban Prieto,who designed the Management Plan.

In turn, Rodríguez thanked the interest received from the Cluster to pay attention to this historic place of invaluable cultural richness, and said that: “Culture requires a State prone todialogue; culture means debate, means creativity; and it demands,from whomeveris at the forefront of the Ministry, a closeness with the people and the sectors that work and liveamong the culture.”

He noted that the Ministry of Culture is working towardenhancingcultural industries,which generate employment and foreign exchange, and which could multiply in the future if the Government and civil society work together.

He added that, “it is necessary that our culture, music, plastic arts and Dominican crafts are present in the resort hotels of Puerto Plata and of the rest of the country, and not those of other countries, as has been observed in recent times.”

He added that, “it is necessary that our culture, music, plastic arts and Dominican crafts are present in the resort hotels of Puerto Plata and of the rest of the country, and not those of other countries, as has been observed in recent times.”