Fabeth Martínez, executive director of the Tourism Cluster and the Santo Domingo Hotel Association, explained that in 2024 Santo Domingo will consolidate itself as the undisputed capital of the Caribbean.
“Today our city adds new cultural proposals that exalt and expand the already acclaimed historical proposal as the First Capital of America. Through CEIZTUR, the facades of the main monuments of the city have been cleaned and preserved, including the Museum of the Royal Houses, Alcázar de Colon, Panteón de la Patria, churches of Las Mercedes and Regina Angelorum, the Puerta de la Mercy. The offer of the Fortaleza de Santo Domingo Museum (Fortaleza Ozama) was equally renewed, with an updated museography anchored in visual and immersive experiences that has been the main novelty in recent weeks,” he explained.
In the month of May, the Santo Domingo Cathedral Museum will open its doors, which will tell the history of faith in America and the construction and evolution of the Primate Metropolitan Cathedral of America. Likewise, the historic center will have a pedestrian orientation system and tourist signage that will allow history to be enjoyed through different routes over time. “The reform, modernization and enhancement of museums, temples and historical monuments has fostered an experience beyond the historical offer,” said Fabeth Martínez.
For her part, Yudit Garcia, president of the Santo Domingo Hotel Association, said that the country's capital is a reflection of its economic stability. “We have seen growth in all sectors of our economy, with tourism as the undisputed driver of these results. So much so, that the capital's hotel and tourist infrastructure inventory has increased exponentially in recent months, with the opening of three new properties in the Marriott hotel portfolio: Aloft Piantini, Marriott Piantini and Courtyard Pinantini, which also of standard rooms that support their brands, offer spaces for meetings, congresses and large-format conventions and a range of new trendy restaurants,” he indicated.
As explained, in the month of June 2 new hotel properties will come into operation: Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo Piantini, a proposal that expands the luxury offering in the central area of the city and the Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel, which expands hotel availability and gastronomy within the historic center.
“We are betting that our First City of America, where the events that marked the recent history of our continent are concentrated, will become a city that invites you to live experiences, beyond the unparalleled historical offering. Presenting visitors and tourists with a varied and unique cultural and entertainment agenda, sporting events, gastronomic experiences, activities, nightlife, excursions, shopping, and much more, for all audiences,” said Yudit García.
In terms of air travel and tourist arrivals, Santo Domingo continues to grow and break our records. The growth in air traffic at the José Francisco Peña Gómez International Airport of the Americas (AILA) stands out, receiving a total of 5.6 million passengers in 2023. So far this year the capital has received nearly 1 million passengers, a figure which represents a growth of 10% when compared to the same period in 2023, and +13% when compared to the pre-pandemic period.
During the press conference, both entities highlighted the important investments announced in the airports that serve the capital city, operated by AERODOM and VINCI Airports, which contemplate the construction of a new terminal and improvements to the existing terminal, in response to the significant growth of air routes experienced in the country, with tourism as the spearhead of development.
They also highlighted the recovery of the arrival of cruise ships to the Don Diego and SANSOUCI ports, which are making different improvements to the infrastructure and a substantial investment in the promotion and positioning of these important assets, which complement the city's tourism.
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN SANTO DOMINGO!
Within the framework of the press conference, the president of the city's hoteliers Yudit García announced the signing of a COLLABORATION AGREEMENT FOR THE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING OF BOTTLES COLLECTED IN HOTELS IN SANTO DOMINGO, under the umbrella of ASONAHORES, with BEPENSA DOMINICANA , SA, RECOLECTIVA, SAS and NEW LIFE FOR WASTE NUVI, INC.
“This alliance demonstrates our commitment to promoting programs that guarantee waste reduction, recycling and social integration to achieve sustainable tourism growth. Today Santo Domingo will be a pioneering destination, thanks to this pilot of this hotel recycling program, he explained.
This agreement joins other initiatives promoted by the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, such as electric cars, TURIZONEANDO, Ciudad Colonial Community Center, training, a solid waste management project with new deposit facilities and electric units for collection of the trash; and by 2025 the electro-mobility system that will connect the two most important cultural centers of Santo Domingo: the Colonial City and the culture square.