The northern province of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata, is known for its stunning beaches, stunning natural surroundings, impressive landmarks and interesting history. Every year this region is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. In April 2013, the regional office of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic in the province of Puerto Plata was headed by Mr. Lorenzo Sankassani. In the framework of the international exhibition "MITT" we managed to meet with him and ask several questions regarding the promotion of his region and the country as a whole on the Russian market.
Mr. Sankassani, as you know, due to the industry crisis, large Russian tour operators have suspended their flight programs to the Dominican Republic. Are there plans to stimulate them?
- Yes, the crisis has affected the plans of Russian tour operators. But at the same time, we maintain good relations with all partners. As before, the Ministry supports tour operators through joint marketing programs. Currently, Pegasus and Anex tour are successfully implementing their flight programs. We hope that Biblio Globus will return to our market.
At the same time, we try to pay more attention to working with individual tourists. Soon, a Russian-language website will start working, helping to decide on a vacation, to get comprehensive information about organizing a trip, including the ability to search for air tickets, hotels and a wide range of excursions.
Can you name specific numbers of tourist traffic from Russia this season?
- According to the official statistics of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, in 2015 the total tourist flow increased by 9 percent. The same are the financial indicators - revenues from the tourism sector increased by 9, 2 percent. This result is the result of the extensive work of the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the private sector, which is promoting the Dominican Republic, positioning the country as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
In the period from January to December 2015, the flow of tourists to the Dominican Republic was distributed as follows: the countries of North America sent 2,829,877 tourists to the resorts of the Dominican Republic, which is 10%, or 256,468 people, more than in 2014. The South America region saw significant growth of 25.4% (135,730 additional tourists). Tourist traffic from Central America and the Caribbean increased by 6, 7%, and from Asia and other countries - by 7, 3%.
The region of Europe deserves special attention, as it still holds the second place in terms of tourist flow. The number of tourists arriving from Russia in 2015 amounted to 67,121. In general, 1,099,709 people arrived from European countries in 2015, but this is 38,485 passengers less than last year, which in percentage terms reflects a slight decline of 3, 4 %.
Our Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, commented on these figures with the announcement that the upward trend is gaining strength. This is evidenced by statistics for January 2016, in which the number of non-resident tourists arriving in the Dominican Republic by air was 519 977. Compared to January 2015, the increase was 7, 7%, or 36 995 people. Thus, the target set by President Danilo Medina of reaching 10 million tourists a year by 2022 could be met well before that date.
What types of tourism do you plan to develop in the near future?
- Most of the tourism products cover the entire territory of the country, but each region has its own unique offers for tourists. We know that Russian tourists love sightseeing holidays and are sure to leave the resort areas to see something new, to get acquainted with the culture and history of the country. They will be interested to know that a large-scale renovation of the cultural center of Santo Domingo is being completed, the architecture of the colonial period is being restored, the historical part of the city is being transformed and becoming as convenient as possible for pedestrians.
The capital also boasts ample shopping opportunities. There are quite competitive prices for popular luxury brands. And the fact that Punta Cana is located near Santo Domingo undoubtedly plays a role in the choice of leisure options.
Eco-tourism has always been popular in the country. And it's not just about the famous whale watching in Samana Bay. Hiking in the mountains, national parks and reserves, as well as caves, where the local Taino Indians once lived, are extremely interesting. In general, the Dominican Republic always strives to offer each tourist something individual.
Is the infrastructure in the country improving? Once, the country's authorities promised to pay special attention to road traffic at meetings with journalists
- Oh sure! This is the guarantee of tourist growth in any region, any country! If we are talking about the roads that we promised to journalists … and, of course, first of all, to tourists, then they have already been built. Wide multi-lane routes linking Santo Domingo to Punta Cana and the Samana Bay are the most popular tourist routes. If earlier tourists spent more than three hours on the way from the hotel to the capital, now the time has been reduced to two. And you can drive to Samana Bay from Santo Domingo in less than an hour. Add to this a high level of security, including traffic and tourist police, and you get a great stimulation of independent check-out from the hotel.
What regions besides Bavaro and Puerto Plata are planned to develop in the near future?
- In the nearest development plans - the south-west of the country, not far from the border with the Republic of Haiti. This is an area of virgin forests and even deserts. There are three national parks in the Pedernales region - the Park Jaragua, where about 130 species of birds nest, the Sierra de Baoruca Park with orchids and the Isla Cabritos Park, famous for its crocodiles. To the south of the administrative center of Barahona are scattered small towns that are interesting for their black sand beaches, such as Polanco beach. On the other hand, winemaking is developing in this region, so, in addition to eco-tourism, we plan to receive wine tourists in the south-west. Accommodation offers here are mostly boutique hotels.
Another promising region is the central mountainous part of the country. Active rest is very popular here: hiking, trekking, rafting … Accommodation options - a ranch.
What, in your personal opinion, are the brightest events in the Dominican Republic, in addition to the whale watching season, should visiting tourists pay attention to?
- My personal preference? For my taste, this is, of course, the International Jazz Festival. I consider it to be one of the most visible phenomena in the musical environment in all of Central America. Therefore, not only vacationers from various resorts of the Dominican Republic flock to it, but also music lovers from all over the world purposefully come. It takes place annually in November, when the heat subsides and the coolness allows you not only to enjoy music, but also dancing. In 2016, it will take place from 8 to 12 November.
From sporting events, I would like to pay attention to the Tournament of Four Disciplines "Master of the Ocean" - windsurfing, paddle surfing, surfing and kitesurfing. G. Professionals from all kinds of water sports take part in this annual competition. And in addition to competitions, various seminars, cultural and entertainment events are held, in which everyone can take part.
And, undoubtedly, the most striking event in the country is the annual carnival, which, in particular, takes place in Puerto Plata in February. I must say that the Dominican carnival in every city is not like the others, but the most luxurious and festive carnivals are considered, which are held in the small provincial town of La Vega. This city is considered the center of carnival celebrations in the country, and tourists from all over the world gather here during the carnival.
- As you know, your Motherland is Italy. How has your life changed after your arrival from Italy to the Dominican Republic?
- O! She has changed dramatically! Of course, like Italy, my new homeland is a multiport for tourists from all over the world. But it was here that I began to communicate more with them. After all, we receive tourists from 40 countries, and each one requires special attention. And, studying their character, culture, I began to learn more about the world. All this, like nothing else, stimulates personal self-development and, of course, professional growth.
You probably know about the popularity of Latin American culture in Russia, about language courses and dance schools. Do you dance bachata yourself?
- I am absolutely convinced that Latin American dance schools, including bachata, whose homeland is the Dominican Republic, is one of the best options for promoting our country. And, of course, I know that Latin is very popular in Russia. I saw how many people in summer parks dance bachata. But … and this is the answer to your second question, I will never be able to do two things in my life: according to the laws of the Dominican Republic, I cannot become its president, since I was not born in the country, and I will never be able to dance bachata the way it is danced Dominicans.
