Dominican Senate advances bills to boost gastronomic and health tourism

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Senate Tourism Commission is advancing two bills aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism sector, including proposals to promote gastronomic tourism and establish a National Council for the Development of Health Tourism (CONDETUSA).

The commission, chaired by Senator Ginnette Bournigal de Jiménez, reviewed amendments to both initiatives to refine the legislation before submitting favorable reports to the Senate for consideration.

One bill, introduced by Senator Rafael Barón Duluc Rijo, seeks to position Dominican cuisine as a driver of sustainable tourism by preserving the country’s culinary heritage, expanding the national tourism offering, and supporting local economic development.

The second proposal, submitted by Senator Daniel Rivera, would create CONDETUSA as an advisory body to regulate and promote health tourism nationwide while declaring the sector a national priority.

Lawmakers said the initiatives are intended to provide stronger legal frameworks to diversify the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry and enhance its competitiveness.