Sosua Beach Vendors versus Dominican Government

windeguy Serial expat

Member since 01 June 2018

windeguySerial expat24 December 2022 12:45:59

709

Puerto Plata Tourism Cluster supports plan in Sosúa

Edgar Lantigua

edgar.lantigua@listindiario.com

Santo Domingo, DR

The Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster (CTDPP) reiterated its support for the investments that the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) has been making in Sosúa Beach, as part of the comprehensive rescue, renovation and ordering plan of said municipality.

For the institution and the sectors it represents, the intervention of Mitur is opportune, since it will strengthen the multiple comparative and competitive advantages that this destination has, offering its visitors more organized, cleaner and safer beaches.

They considered it right to have included the training of informal vendors in addition to adapting the space to offer their products and services, which they understand will have a very positive impact on the image of this area.

Initiative

“From the Tourism Cluster we support all initiatives that contribute to improving the experience of our visitors. We celebrate the dynamism assumed with this project, and how it has been fulfilling its initial stages of relocation, equipment and training of human resources that operate in said area”, said Birgitt Heinsen, president of the institution.

He also stated, “we value the willingness of the Ministry of Tourism and its commitment to transform Sosúa; In our institution, as a private sector, they will always find an ally for all the actions that benefit the country's tourism offer”.

minors

The initiative of the Ministry of Tourism has been questioned by the association that brings together business owners and beach vendors who allege that only one plaza is being built instead of the 3 that had been agreed upon, a measure that seeks to remove them from the beach as such, which would condemn them to disappear, since they depend directly on what they sell to those who are on the beach.

Context

On December 7, the vendors carried out a caravan-march from Sosúa to the offices of the Ministry of Tourism and the provincial government demanding that the authorities build the three plazas that, according to allegation, they had agreed upon.

They had previously expressed their support for the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.

The initiative has also been supported by the Association for the Sustainable Development of Sosúa (ADSS), the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Sosúa and Cabarete (Ashoresoca), the Dominican Tourist Press Association, Adompretur subsidiary Sosúa and the Association of Neighborhood Councils of the Municipality of Sosúa. (Asojuveso).

Auto translate from: https://listindiario.com/economia/2022/ … n-en-sosua

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windeguy Serial expat

Member since 01 June 2018

windeguySerial expat24 December 2022 13:00:21

709

There are a few people who thought nothing would ever change on Sosua beach. I used to post on such a forum called DR1 where those people loved the charm of Sosua beach as it is. I think it is squalor and I agree with the attempt to upgrade the facilities on the beach from their current decrepit state. I want to be clear on that. With the beach as it has been, I have visited on average once a year in 20 years and I live just down the road in Cabarete. That is how much I love the current situation there. I hope it is improved by what the government is doing, but time will tell. I actually went there a couple of times this year to see the work progress on the foundation of one of the plazas. It is definitely happening.

The announced plans are for three plazas on Sosua beach. Work for one plaza has started.

The 150 or so squatters on private land or within the public 60 meter water mark who have businesses on Sosua beach protested that one plaza is being built and they insist upon three plazas. None of those vendors behind the beach itself have valid title. As for the plazas, perhaps the government will build all three in sequence or perhaps just one. That will take more than a year if done in sequence. Time will tell on that.

What is certain is that there is no reason for 150 vendors all selling the same food or trinkets in those three plazas. It think the beach vendors are finally realizing that their days for most of them are numbered. Even if they had separate spaces (about 50 spaces in each plaza would be needed to hold them all as "promised") could they possibly afford the rent?

I can't see this working out for more than several of them or if any can afford such rent in the future.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert24 December 2022 14:27:19

17698

I hope they eventually build all 3 plazas with enough space and diversity. I love Sosua Bay as well! I detest being harassed. I also support legal businesses!