Barahona eyes private investment to boost tourism development

Barahona.- Barahona and its surrounding communities—such as La Ciénaga and Bahoruco—are drawing increasing attention from tourism investors, with plans underway for villas, boutique hotels, resorts, and mountain clubs. This growing interest positions Barahona as a key symbol of the Dominican Republic’s southern identity.

According to Rafael Nazario, director of the Barahona Tourism and Production Cluster, these investments could help reduce youth migration by creating new opportunities for employment and education. He noted that similar developments in Pedernales are already benefiting the broader southwestern region.

Tourism clusters across the southwest, including Barahona, Pedernales, Azua, and San Juan, are collaborating to create a multi-destination model that emphasizes nature, culture, artisanal mining, and sustainability. The aim is to attract more diverse and impactful tourism that stimulates local economies.

Nazario also emphasized the region’s unique assets, such as its larimar mines—home to the rare blue pectolite gemstone that is the Dominican Republic’s national stone. He envisions transforming the mining areas into eco-friendly tourist attractions that showcase local culture and craftsmanship, further boosting community pride and economic development.