President Luis Abinader broke ground for the construction of the first two hotels that will form part of the Pedernales-Cabo Rojo Tourism Development Project, which will include some 1,100 rooms with an investment of US$240 million.
During the inaugural ceremony, the President explained that the construction of the first hotels, awarded to the consortiums Therrestra-Estel and Cacao Development, under the supervision of the Pro-Pedernales Trust Fund and the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), will represent for the country and for Dominicans opportunities for more jobs, more growth and better opportunities.
“For a serious and honest ruler, the word promised to his people to bring about a real and tangible change, with concrete projects and fulfilled promises is, without a doubt, the reason that moves me and my government in the task of managing this country day by day,” he said.
Abinader announced that the Pedernales-Cabo Rojo Tourism Development Plan already has the environmental license for the construction and operation of the project, which was issued by the Ministry of the Environment.
He informed that Cabo Rojo-Pedernales is the only tourism development plan that has a tourism carrying capacity study and a socio-environmental management guidelines manual for construction works and environmental management instructions for construction companies.
“From the beginning of the project planning, the guidelines and directives indicated for the rational use of natural resources have been followed, especially considering the importance of preserving the ecological balance of the wetlands present in the area,” he said.
He added: “Our tourism is diverse, and our possibilities are almost endless. We have been recognized worldwide by the World Tourism Organization, in our management of the sector in very complicated years. But I am sure that what is coming now, will not only receive recognition from the WTO, but will be unanimous recognition from investors, visitors and the people as a whole”.
Investments
For his part, the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos Echavarría, recalled that the plan contemplates works with investments estimated at some 2,245 million dollars over the next 10 years; among which are nine hotels, an airport, a shopping center, an aqueduct, a wastewater treatment plant and an electrical transmission system; water and sanitation works, highways such as the Enriquillo-Pedernales, and internal roads in Cabo Rojo.
The official said that Iberostar and Inclusive Collection Part of World of Hyatt, are the two hotel chains that started what will be a network of hotels in Pedernales-Cabo Rojo, where the construction of 4,700 rooms is projected in the first phase, of the 12,000 that the development contemplates in 10 years.
The director of Public-Private Partnerships, Sigmund Freund, assured that the plan will transform the territories of the southern region and the whole country, boosting productivity through tourism, industry and commerce, agricultural production, entrepreneurship and the work of MSMEs, local and inter-provincial transportation and the presence of the banking and financial sector.
He explained that the designs for the wastewater treatment plant were completed in December and are currently under construction.
Flights
One of the achievements of the project was the start of domestic flights from La Isabela International Airport (El Higüero) to the Cabo Rojo aerodrome, being the only regular domestic flight in the country.
Abinader calls to defend development
President Luis Abinader called on the opposition not to bet on the failure of the Pedernales Tourism Development Project, since its success is the success of all Dominicans.
“To our political adversaries who want to oppose any action of the Government, I invite them not to bet on failure in this project, which is fundamental for this development, and I invite them to join in the success and that this success belongs to all,” he said.
In this sense, he asked the residents of the southern region to fight together with the Government to defend progress and development.
Source: Mitur.gob.do
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