Jump of 9% buoys Dominican hoteliers, but doubts on 10M tourists linger

Santo Domingo.- The expectationfor Dominican Republic´s tourism sector, which grew nearly 9% in 2015, is continuedexpansion this year, as evidenced by the numerous projects announced during Madrid´sInternational Tourism Fair (Fitur), but harbor doubts with the goal of receiving10 million tourists per within a decade.

National Hotels and TourismAssociation (Asonahores) president Simon Suarez cited the construction of 6,500new rooms in Punta Cana during the next 18 months, in addition to those in theoffing in other parts of the country.

When diariolibre.com pressedhim about president Danilo Medina´s announced target of 10 million tourists visitingthe country in 10 years, the business leader said, “we´re far from the date toreach that goal, but we’re on the right track, this goal must be met."

The ASONAHORES executive,who recently attended in Fitur, spoke in the release of the study "The sustainableluxury hotel, the axis of a country´s competitiveness, hosted by the hoteliers,the Barna School of Business and the Tourism Ministry.

The study indicatesthat the opening of luxury hotels with sustainably managed systems contributestrategically to Dominican Republic´s motors of development, and helps improve itscompetitiveness.