Puerto Plata entrepreneurs focus on boosting shopping tourism

Puerto Plata, DR.- Business leaders in Puerto Plata are advocating for the creation of an open-air shopping promenade to enhance the destination’s tourist offerings and attract a specific group of visitors known as “shopping lovers.”

Sixto Peralta, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the potential of Puerto Plata to become a hub for fashion boutiques, gift shops, and national stores within an open-air pedestrian shopping area, similar to those found in other popular tourist cities.

Peralta emphasized the daily influx of over 17 thousand cruise passengers to Puerto Plata, underscoring the need to provide them with ample shopping opportunities. The proposal aims to tap into the shopping tourism market, a global niche that allows tourists to increase their daily spending.

Mileyka Brugal, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata and the Free Trade Zone Corporation, stressed the importance of attracting major commercial chains to invest in this type of business. She highlighted the availability of land in the historic center, suggesting it as an untapped resource for development.

Brugal pointed out that shopping tourism is a well-established niche globally, citing renowned destinations like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, V Avenue in New York, Patpong Night Market in Bangkok, and Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milan as examples that draw visitors specifically for their shopping experiences.