Highlights Adompretur impact bachata and proposes to assume the country brand

SANTO DOMINGO.- The president of the Dominican Association of Tourist Press (ADOMPRETUR) affirmed that bachata has become a phenomenon of popularity in the world and invited the tourism sector and the entertainment industry to assume that musical genre as a competitive advantage from the country.

Journalist Luis José Chávez said that in recent decades bachata has managed to position itself as the Latin rhythm with the greatest worldwide projection, giving rise to more than 50 international annual festivals, from Shanghai to Los Angeles, without the Dominican Republic assuming it as an own, unique and distinctive expression of its cultural wealth.

He also president of the Ibero-American Forum of Tourism Journalists (FIPETUR) said that like the merengue, bachata could be declared in the coming months “cultural heritage of humanity”, by resolution of UNESCO, according to a proposal of the Ministry of Culture through Ambassador José Antonio Rodríguez.

Chavez spoke about “The Cultural Icons of Dominican Tourism” in the recently concluded International Book Fair, where he also addressed the importance of gastronomy, historical sites and monuments, and the new symbols of Dominican craftsmanship.

He considered that the country has the privilege of having two of the most important tropical rhythms in the world, with all the merits and attractions to be assumed as a country brand at the service of the tourist and cultural image of the Dominican Republic, as it happens. with the Tango from Argentina, the Mariachi from Mexico, the son from Cuba and the Samba from Brazil.

Social rejection persists

He considered, however, that currently the presence of merengue and bachata is very timid, not only in the musical programming of the stations and television channels, but also in the show halls and the repertoire of the nightclubs that operate in the resorts and tourist centers of the country.

He said that in the specific case of bachata in the country persists an attitude of rejection, at least in certain social levels, unlike the increasing level of penetration that has been reaching the genre in a large part of the world.

In his opinion, “we still do not assimilate that the popularity of bachata and the interest to enjoy its rhythm and learn its dance steps, is a worldwide phenomenon, which is generating hundreds of events annually in the capitals and most important cities of the 5 continents. “

He considered paradoxical that while prestigious festivals of the genre are held in People’s China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Afghanistan, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Thailand, Peru and Mexico and dozens of other countries, in the Dominican Republic there is not yet a national event, high profile, dedicated to bachata for local and international consumption

He appreciated the effort that has been made by the researcher and tourism specialist, Juan Lladó, who has written and spoken repeatedly about the touristic and cultural importance of this rhythm, defining it as a musical genre rooted in our cultural traditions and whose paternity is purely Dominican.

He said that Lladó has taken an inventory of the main festivals and events related to bachata in the world to support his thesis that his popularity is a universal phenomenon, which we Dominicans have not known how to value and capitalize on.

Saluda Festival “Bachata Paradise”, in Las Terrenas, Samaná

Chávez took advantage of his exhibition at the Book Fair to express his support, on behalf of ADOMPRETUR, for the tourist and cultural event “Bachata Paradise”, which will be held from May 23 to June 2, 201, in Las Terrenas, Samaná.

The activity, which will be attended by groups of tourists from Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, is organized by the journalist Delvis Santos, the dance professor Bolívar Severino and the promoter English Phil Chapman.

According to the organizers’ report, the event will have an itinerant character and will include live artists and presentations in hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants in Las Terrenas.