Punta Bergantín development to be monitored through permanent economic and social study
Santo Domingo.- The Punta Bergantín tourism development will have a permanent research program to measure its economic, social and territorial impact on Villa Montellano, Puerto Plata and other communities in the Dominican Republic’s northern region.
The initiative is part of an agreement between Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) and the Punta Bergantín Trust for Economic and Social Development. The program will track indicators including job creation, income, entrepreneurship, investment and quality of life.
PUCMM’s School of Economics will lead research, data analysis and reporting, creating a longitudinal database with semiannual and annual reports to document the project’s evolution and its effects on surrounding communities.
Tourism Minister David Collado stressed the importance of using data to guide tourism policy and investment decisions, noting that the Dominican Republic’s tourism strategy has relied heavily on analyzing visitor trends and market behavior.
The study will cover Villa Montellano, communities directly and indirectly affected by Punta Bergantín, and other areas of the northern region, including Santiago when appropriate. Its findings are expected to help authorities design policies based on measurable changes in economic and social conditions.
The agreement also includes academic research and training programs for students and professionals. PUCMM’s School of Tourism and Gastronomy is expected to participate in the management of a future hotel school within Punta Bergantín.
The first phase of the development is planned to include 1,600 hotel rooms. Banco de Reservas CEO Leonardo Aguilera said the research will help determine how much employment and investment the project generates and its contribution to regional economic and social development.
Officials described Punta Bergantín as more than a tourism project, emphasizing its potential to become a catalyst for development across Puerto Plata and the northern region.
