MITUR initiates actions for the creation of the National Sustainability Strategy for the Sector

For the implementation of the Plan, Mitur has been advised by UN-Tourism, an organization specialized in promoting responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism.

Santo Domingo. – The Ministry of Tourism is initiating an agenda of meetings with public, private and third sector entities of the tourism value chain that have an impact on the development of the industry with a view to the creation of the National Sustainability Strategy for the Tourism Sector.

The two-day working groups received support and advice from UN-Tourism, a specialized agency of the United Nations, which promotes responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism.

Verónica Pinilla and Víctor Gorga, members of UN-Tourism Technical Cooperation were present in 12 meetings, under the coordination of the Vice Ministries of International Cooperation and Destination Management of MITUR, to listen to representatives of companies, state institutions, the third sector and international organizations related to tourism and sustainability issues.

As well as environment, land management, water, energy and solid waste management, data and statistics, among others. These roundtables were headed by the Vice Minister of International Cooperation, Carlos Peguero.

The Strategy, which is being implemented for the first time in the country, is an initiative of Minister David Collado, who has expressed his priority, interest and commitment to make the Dominican Republic the leading country in sustainable tourism in the region.

Vice Minister Peguero, in his opening remarks, valued this first initiative as a survey of information to later become a true Sustainability Plan; a policy that defines the steps to be taken in terms of sustainability in tourism, with better conditions for its development, applicable, well articulated and executed.

He specified that all this exercise and meetings with the sectors linked to tourism will define the road map that will mark the design of the National Sustainability Strategy for the country.

He also highlighted the importance and the challenge of having a true Sustainability Strategy, given the constant growth of our industry, and the achievement of reaching 10 million tourists, ”which means a greater commitment and care for our natural resources, cultural identity and the impact it will have on the communities and their economy”.

Regarding this Plan, the Vice Minister of Destination Management, Patricia Mejía, highlighted the enthusiasm shown by the entire Mitur team for the expectations created and the positive results that these first actions will yield, which will lay the foundations for the creation of a true Sustainability Plan for tourism.

He advocated that the Strategy should focus on “articulation, common vision, legal framework, and responsible management, as an integral part of its permanence over time”.

Along with Mitur, these first presentations were attended by technicians from the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources, Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), Culture, the Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI); Corporación del Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Santo Domingo (CAASD); Oficina Nacional de Estadística (ONE); Consorcio Energético Punta Cana- Macao; Fideicomiso Público-Privado para Gestión Integral de Residuos Sólidos, Fideicomiso Pro-Pedernales (CEPM); and Consejo Nacional de Cambio Climático.

Representatives of public-private entities from the tourist destinations of Pedernales, Puerto Plata, Samaná, La Altagracia, Santo Domingo, Bayahibe and Miches made presentations to the UN-Tourism advisors on climate change, diversification, tourism development, achievements and challenges in terms of sustainability, among other topics.

The tour operator and travel agent sector was represented by the president of the Association of Incoming Tour Operators of the Dominican Republic (ASOTURE), César González; the president of the Association of Incoming Tour Operators of the Dominican Republic (OPETUR), Maria Grazia Bataglia; and for ADAVIT, the general manager, Vilma Pockets.

In another meeting, a team led by Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva, vice-president of Tourism Businesses of Banco Popular and Mariel Bera, vice-president of Corporate Relations and Responsible Banking of the bank, spoke about financing sustainable projects in the sector.

Meanwhile, the general coordinator of the Integral Program for the Urban Tourism Development of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo (PIDTUCCSD), Amín Abel Santos, was present on behalf of the colonial city of Santo Domingo.

Also participating in these working groups were technicians and specialists from academic institutions such as the UASD, PUCMM, the Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES), the Dominican Federation of Municipalities (FEDOMU), the Tourism Press (ADOMPRETUR), Owners and Residents of Colonial City (APRECC), among other related NGOs.

The meeting, held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Promotion and Development, Tammy Reynoso; the director of the Department of Planning and Projects, Shaney Peña Gomez.

Also, the director of CONFOTUR, Brenda Morales and representatives of the Vice Ministries of Destination Management, Technical and Quality of Tourism Services.