They analyze the impact of cruise tourism in Puerto Plata

As part of the strategic alliance agreed between the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster and the School of Tourism and Gastronomy of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), students and teachers from this house of higher studies visited the Amber Cove and Taino ports Bay, with the purpose of applying surveys that will reflect the impact generated by the cruise industry in the value chain and in the local economy.

This field practice is part of a series of investigations to structure a market intelligence system that collects and examines data and statistics in a systematic, objective and transparent manner, in order to carry out strategic planning of projects related to tourism in the province. 

Students from the Santo Domingo and Santiago headquarters , accompanied by teachers from both centers, participated in the application of questionnaires in both terminals, to capture data on the demographics of visitors, both passengers and crew, their activity, levels of spending and satisfaction in the destination, willingness to return, among others . Interviews will soon be held to investigate the effects that this operation has on employment. 

The institutions linked to the project announced that all this information would form a baseline study of the socioeconomic impact related to cruises in the province of Puerto Plata, the results of which will be published later. They added that the cruise department of the Ministry of Tourism will continue to use the tool for a constant compilation of data that allows obtaining a realistic and updated picture.

PUCMM was represented by Ina Percival, director of the School of Gastronomy and Tourism of the Santo Thomas de Aquino campus, and the teachers Clara Barriola, Mirian Laureano, Jetti de Jesús and Soraya Sànchez.

As part of the local accompaniment were Birgitt Heinsen, president of the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster, Atahualpa Paulino, regional director of the Ministry of Tourism, Zobeyda Brito, for the Mitur Cruise Department; port managers Sharon Mei of Amber Cove, and Harold Sanders of Taino Bay. Anny Mariel Gómez, from the Cluster Communications Department, also participated.