April 7 2009

Canadian Company builds 2 US$850M hotels in Dominican

SANTO DOMINGO.- A Canadian mining company is interested in building two boutique-type hotels with golf courses at a cost of US$850 million in Pedernales, said Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia yesterday, but didn’t reveal its name.

Garcia said the proposals were well received because they agree with the Tourism Ministry’s new effort to develop the South region, for which the "Enriquillo circuit" has been designed, to include Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia and Bahoruco provinces, whose main attraction is the lake’s entire shore.

The official said unlike other tourism regions, the "South Pole’s" development will be planned, for which a company from Dubai has already been contracted to elaborate a master plan for the zone.

Garcia affirmed that the hotels will be built outside the protected area Bahia de las Aguilas, and together with the Environment Ministry will formulate a management plan.

Good quarter

The arrival of tourists in the first quarter fell only 4%, despite the 15% to 20% expected. Garcia said the industry leaders are happy, because they never expected such a high flow amid the current crisis.

Source: dominicantoday.com

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