SANTO DOMINGO. - With the presence of distinguished personalities of the local and international tourism industry, president Leonel Fernandez cut the ribbon of the new Sans Souci terminal at a cost of US$55 million , with the arrival of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Vision of the Seas,” that will use Santo Domingo as its hope port home during the current cruise season.

In his keynote speech Sans Souci Ports president Lisandro Macarrulla cited the project’s benefits for the country. “Faced with the world’s economic situation and its possible impact on the country, it becomes essential that a project of that nature continues its development process within the established program. The operation of the new terminal and Don Diego port will create about 4,500 direct and indirect jobs.”

He said the project’s first stage includes the construction of two terminals capable of docking three ships at once and after five years, a third and larger terminal will be built, to receive ships of up to 5,000 passengers.

So far the investment in the terminal, built on around 11,000 square meters, is 55 million dollars, Macarrulla said, but placed the final figure at around US$900 million.

In its different stages the project includes construction of high rise apartments, hotels and convention centers that will be built on lands of the Navy base, which will be transferred shortly to the community Boca Chica.