Dominican tourism chief rebuffs US envoy in gay tourism flap

Santo Domingo.- Tourism minister Francisco Javier García on Wednesday denied that Dominican Republic discriminates "against anyone on sexual preference" as US ambassador James Brewster stated Tuesday and stressed that the agency he heads is the one which defines and implements the country’s tourism policy.

He denied having stated that a certain group of people is undesirable, as the American diplomat charged. "We regret ambassador Brewster’s remarks, whom we respect, but no one can accuse us of discriminating against any group of tourists."

Garcia defended the country’s policy which promotes family tourism and which he affirms led to a record a growth of 10% in the sector. “No one can haggle the success achieved in recent years in industry’s steady, upward trend.”