Yudit García, president of the Santo Domingo Hotel Association (AHSD), pointed out that the natural growth of cities brings with it a parallel development of tourist destinations, so she reiterated that between 900 and 1,000 new hotel rooms have been added this 2024.
“We have approximately 5,000 hotel rooms registered between national and international brands, not counting independent hotels, so this growth in the hotel plant is crucial for the development of the city,” he added.
He indicated that in Santo Domingo, the referred growth has been oriented towards the north of the city, although the sea continues to be an essential attraction for tourists, but the development of infrastructure, roads, highways, and corporate and real estate growth have completed the attraction, making many prefer to stay overnight in the city.
“Hotels ultimately need people to stay overnight, to come to sleep. What are the reasons you want to stay overnight in a city? Well, you could have multiple interests: cultural, gastronomic, economic. In one way or another, the growth of the corporate sector is in full swing within these new financial zones,” he said.
García, who is also general manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo, maintains that, as happened with the boom of hotels on the Malecón in the 1980s and 1990s, there is now a new wave of growth.
“I am a standard bearer for Santo Domingo. In addition to being the First City of America and all the cultural wealth it offers, Santo Domingo has developed its offerings in recent decades. For several consecutive years we have received awards that recognize us as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean and Latin America, and that is a flag we carry,” she said.
The directive recalled that a study by the AHSD reveals that more than 40% of tourism in the city is related to the corporate sector, unlike other tourist destinations in the country, according to Diario Libre.
“This does not mean that we do not have the opportunity to continue maximizing leisure tourism; however, there is a reality: business tourism is the spearhead that will continue to maximize the destination of Santo Domingo. We must continue to strengthen tourism for exhibitions and congresses and continue on this path,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in the development of tourism in the city, while at the same time highlighting the joint efforts to attract tourists from key markets “and the confidence that a stable economy generates in investors”.
He explained that economic and social stability translates into confidence, investment and job creation, which has a positive impact on the gross domestic product and boosts the economy.
Among the measures that contribute to the tourism development of Santo Domingo, García highlighted the announcement by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, regarding the construction of a modern convention center in the central polygon.
“This will serve to attract the market for events, congresses and conventions, which will position us as a capital that will compete with destinations and cities such as Mexico, Bogotá and Cartagena, which already have their convention centers,” he explained.
Sourcer: Arecoa.com
