Tourism Ministry launches “Tourism Close to You” program in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- Tourism Minister David Collado launched the national program “Tourism Close to You” in Puerto Plata, an initiative designed to bring together communities, businesses, authorities, and other tourism stakeholders to strengthen the safety, sustainability, quality, and organization of destinations across the Dominican Republic.

During the launch, Collado said the program is based on the principle that tourism should be developed “with the people and for the people,” recognizing the role of local communities and workers in creating the country’s tourism experience.

“Behind every tourism experience are people, families, and communities,” Collado said, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to listening to and working with the different sectors involved in tourism.

The minister also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s security levels, citing 2024 data from the Inter-American Security Observatory of the Organization of American States (OAS), which he said places the country among the safest major tourist destinations in the region.

Three pillars

The program brings together representatives of Puerto Plata’s tourism value chain, including local authorities, business associations, tourism organizations, hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, guides, artisans, airport and port operators, health services, and other community stakeholders.

“Tourism Close to You” is built around three main areas:

• Sustainability and destination management: planning, land-use management, signage, and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Tourist security: strengthening visitor assistance, protecting children and adolescents, and improving surveillance and regulation.
• Tourism regulation: updating regulations, supervising services, and enforcing quality and safety standards.

The Ministry of Tourism said the initiative will seek to ensure that the continued growth of the Dominican tourism industry translates into greater opportunities, community well-being, and improved quality of life, while promoting safer, more sustainable, orderly, inclusive, and competitive destinations.