Dajabón declared ecotourism province

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill introduced by Representative Daritza Zapata that designates Dajabón as an “Ecotourism Province” to promote sustainable natural resource use, ecological tourism, and the cultural and socioeconomic development of this border region. Zapata emphasized that Dajabón should not be seen as a boundary but as an opportunity—an area of work, culture, and growth that plays a key role in reinforcing national sovereignty, fostering ecotourism, and encouraging sustainable trade.

The law recognizes Dajabón’s ecological richness, including its rivers, waterfalls, spas, and mountains such as Nalga de Maco Peak, as well as protected areas like the Sabana Clara Reserve. It also acknowledges the province’s cultural and historical heritage, highlighting sites such as Cerro de Beller, the Masacre River border gate, rock art caves, and the binational market, a symbol of cross-border commerce and cooperation with Haiti.

The legislation, backed by President Luis Abinader’s vision for border development, enables the launch of community-based tourism projects to boost the local economy and preserve the environment. It establishes the Dajabón Province Ecotourism Development Council, an autonomous entity tasked with managing and promoting ecotourism, supporting environmental conservation efforts, and encouraging small businesses linked to sustainable travel.

To fund this initiative, the law creates the Provincial Ecotourism Development Fund, which will receive RD$10 million annually for four years, in addition to support from public, private, and international sources. Tourism businesses operating in the province will be eligible for incentives under Law 158-01, which supports tourism development in emerging destinations. This new legal framework positions Dajabón as a model for responsible tourism and inclusive growth in the Dominican Republic’s border regions.