Hotelier affirms ongoing efforts to combat sargassum influx

Despite the persistent arrival of sargassum on Dominican beaches, the tourism sector remains resilient, according to Juan (Papo) Bancalari, president of the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores). He emphasized that both the private sector and the government are actively working to mitigate the impact of this regional issue, which has not significantly affected tourist arrivals.

Bancalari highlighted collaborative initiatives, including government-funded research grants to universities for studying and addressing the sargassum problem. Hotels are proactively cleaning their beaches, and some entrepreneurs are exploring the industrialization of sargassum. He noted that Asonahores is developing future plans in coordination with the government to minimize the environmental and economic impact of sargassum.

The hotelier acknowledged that sargassum is a widespread Caribbean issue exacerbated by global warming, affecting regions from the Caribbean islands to Mexico and the United States. He emphasized the importance of ongoing joint efforts between the public and private sectors to manage the phenomenon effectively.

In the Dominican Republic, the tourism industry is a significant contributor to the economy, accounting for 16% of the GDP and employing over 330,000 people. Efforts to combat sargassum include the use of excavators to remove the algae from beaches and the deployment of barriers and barges by resorts to prevent its accumulation. Additionally, research is underway to explore the potential of sargassum in producing biofertilizers, bioplastics, and other commercial products, aiming to turn this environmental challenge into an economic opportunity.