Nagua, Dominican Republic.- Lagoons, waterfalls, beaches and rivers everywhere as the waters in Maria Trinidad Sanchez province (northwest) flows in several slopes and turquoise landscapes dot its Atlantic coast.

The green natural treasures are the trump car for the north coast province to flaunt its sustainable tourism, for which its senator Arístides Victoria says the bill to declare it an ecotourism region is ready, and aims to attract the incentives which the international entities provide for those demarcations.

The construction of Northeast Highway, which brings it closer to Santo Domingo, has been an important incentive for its tourist development, and also in its favor is the new International Airport at Catey in Samaná, only 15 minutes  from Nagua.

It also expects to increase the number of its lodgings which the Hotels and Restaurants Association says the province’s current 1,964 rooms make it the 7th biggest, below nearby Samaná (2,669) and Puerto Plata (14,689).

Nagua City Planning and Development director Orlando Quiroz affirms that while it awaits its launch as a tourism destination, the region benefits from the development of both of those resort cities. “The province serves as a supply point for Samaná and Puerto Plata, that’s why commerce has grown incredibly here in the last 10 years.”

The official said the province’s main natural treasures are the municipalities Rio San Juan and Cabrera, citing the crystalline waters of Gri-grí lagoon, the adjacent Cave of the Swallows, and Caletón beach.

Once finished, Nagua will also boast a 5.5 kilometer long Malecon, whose construction –at a cost of RD$1.8 billion- began in 2008 and was halted in May last year. The Government has announced that it will conclude in six months.