Santo Domingo.- The hotel Bahia Principe, in northern Río San Juan, announced a halt in operations in the wake of plummeting guest figures in the entire tourist region, situation that has been affecting a large part of the country’s North zone, including Puerto Plata, Sosúa and Cabarete.
The region’s tourism sector immediately blamed the shuttering of the hotel- located at Playa Grande, Maria Trinidad Sanchez province- on sagging activities, the lack of incentives and unfair competition with Punta Cana’s (east) hotels.
In that regard, the spokesman for the hoteliers and business leaders grouped in Asonahores revealed that around 15 hotels in the zone have closed in the last two years.
Asonahores vice president Arturo Villanueva said the public and private sectors need a joint effort to deal with the situation.
He said the area’s tourist zones not only have a problem of promotion, but also unchecked sprawl, which in his view also led to the decrease in cruise ship arrivals to North coast ports.
From: United States
Wait, according to government pukes there is an increase in tourists.
Oh, that’s right it is the entitlement mentality government liars hoping that this would not happen.
Now Rio San Juan is screwed.
Written by: zooma, 10 Oct 2011 9:51 AM
From: United States
The tourists will go where they feel welcomed, safe, secure, and obtain value for their travel investment. It appears the North Zone has fallen short on its attractions and marketing.
From: Dominican Republic
Where is Leonel now. What a dip xxxxt of a president.
From: Dominican Republic
tourism is up!!!! what a crock of puke this president tells the beleiving Domincan public.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan, Sosua, Cabarete...
Next in line is Samana.
The shenanigans to divert tourism to the East have worked perfectly.
Written by: bernies, 10 Oct 2011 10:19 AM
From: United States, key west fl
Hey Gmiller,
Puerto Plata and whole north coast killed their own tuorist attraction by not getting on with the program of providing better services changing things around. Have you by any chance had the chance to visit Juan Dolio where it has change the way of doing business by going from an all inclusive beach town to a an upscale residential community something that the north coast has not done. All they do there is have same old shit and no one is trying to make any changes to be part of the new way of doing business. Well Juan Dolio has done it and it is making a change because 60% of the investors in this area wealthy Dominican from Santo Domingo that got tired of having to travel so far just to go to the beach with their family. So please stop putting all the blames on the government because the businesses as well have to invest in order to get better customers
Written by: xwill7, 10 Oct 2011 10:41 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
I have been to a few places on the north coast that are full. Rio San Jan is further from Santiago, many will stop in Puerto Plata or Cabarette instread of driving all the way to Rio San Juan. Rio San Juan does have very nice beaches but what they offered can be found in Puerto Plata.
Bernie,
A few might want upscale places but most people are looking for good service with all included in the price. With all of the taxes and fees that you have to pay to fly in, all included is the way to go for most tourists that are traveling with their entire family. They need to make some upgrades and improve the marketing.
Written by: xwill7, 10 Oct 2011 10:42 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
What a shame, that was a nice hotel with a great beach. I went there in 2004 and it was full to the max!
Written by: bernies, 10 Oct 2011 11:01 AM
From: United States, key west fl
Gmiller they also have some small hotels and villass for rent by the day, week or by month the are far more cheapers than getting into those all inclusive hotels that does not provides any business to the community because all those large hotel are own by foreigners that takes their money back to their countries, compare to local small hotels that reinvest and expend the money within the community. Tourist by things from local markets.
From: United States
bernies, you are completely correct. The north coast HELPED kill themselves.
But the government should have stepped in and slapped them upside the head and said “STOP thinking JUST for today”. “STOP the garbage on the streets”. “STOP the transparent greed” and on and on…………
This transparently corrupt government is so intent on filling their own pockets with money, they provide NO concrete help.
Written by: Escott, 10 Oct 2011 11:33 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera and Sosua a 2 days a month for payday
The government killed the North Coast. They put all their promotion money into Punta Cana. Now Punta Cana has to carry the weight of the whole country which it can't buy the way.
First they let the infrastructure fall apart so badly you couldnn't drive the North Coast without damaging your car or driving 5 miles an hour on the major road. They fixed the roads to win the election and are already falling apart again. Looks like the government is giving up this election to Hippo and not fixing the roads in advance of the election.
The North Coast isn't any different from the Punta Cana region except it is way more beautiful. There isn't a danger to tourists as some say and the resort owners hands are tied by the government always.
From: Dominican Republic, navarette
first I vacationed here 7 times before moving here more than 2 years ago to live permanently. I have travelled both the North and South coasts. The North coast has hills, mountains, and trees. The south is hotter, flatter, and drier. The North has much more to offer for any tourist who wants to venture off the resort. Simply, the resorts in the South, Punta Cana in particular , lack character. When I used to manage a hotel resort, I found out that most hotel rooms are the same. Where they are located is another thing.
Written by: xwill7, 10 Oct 2011 11:53 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
They should advertise Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in different markets.
All is not lost... The north coast still has its natural beauty and still has the international airport. I think that the real cheesy resorts should go and the better once should stay. Remember even if outside tourists are not traveling as much, the people from el Cibao area love these beaches and the people that go back to el Cibao to visit family love these beaches and usually plan trips to the north coast since its a short drive.
Written by: tomito, 10 Oct 2011 1:15 PM
From: United States
This is the never ending story of some of the hotels in the area, it will get bought by another company and reopen as usual, but the government needs to seriously beef up advertising in the North Coast and in the country as a whole, fix the road for once and for all. The new Carnival Cruise home port in Puerto Plata will help but much more is needed. The government needs to understand that yes Punta Cana still has some issues to deal with, like the sprawling of pockets of slums in the area, but POP is a patient in intensive care.
I agree, Puerto Plata has a lot more potential than Punta Cana and a lot more attractions for people who want to venture out of the resort, a malecon that Punta Cana could only dream of, lush mountains and water falls nearby, and a real town, even though the beach in PC is better, if you go to areas like Punta Rusia, Playa Grande or Sosua, you won't miss much.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
This is a unique case and really has nothing to do with Puerta Plata ..it is like comparing a closing of a hotel in the capital and then talkiing about Bayahibe ,Rio san Juan is a long long way from Puerta Plata and is a delightful laid back town but it is out on its own . It is far removed from the dirtyness of Puerta Plata .It also has nothing to do with Punta Cana . Rio san Juan and Cabrera are a long way from airports but probably most use the new one on the other side of Nagua which is also used by people going to the Samana peninsula .
This NE area has to be promoted very differently than any other part of the country ,,it is very pretty and relatively quiet and peaceful . so it is best not to blame the more glitzy east or the down at the heel Puerta Plata ..It needs just much better promotion
Written by: bobrjm, 10 Oct 2011 2:39 PM
From: Canada
If you check where all the money is going for advertising, in Europe, the U.K., the U.S.A., Canada and other parts of the world, the money is going to advertise the east coast area, such as Punta Cana, Cap Cana and La Romana, because that is where all the big money men have invested their dollars.
Last October, 2010, the Minister of Tourism announced that the government would spend over 5 million dollars to advertise the Puerto Plata area.
Shortly after the Minister of Tourism made that announcement I saw one advertisement for Puerto Plata on a Toronto TV station and have not seen another one since in the past year.
If you talk with people from all over the world, they will tell you that all the advertisements for the Dominican Republic are mainly for the east coast area, it is very rare to see an advertisement for Puerto Plata area especially on TV.
From: Dominican Republic, las terrenas
all the feedback in hotel review websites like Tripadvisor, all say the same thing about the hotel, DIRTY, BAD FOOD, ORGANIZED THEFT FROM ROOMS, and the management and police did nothing!!! tourists Read these reviews before booking, and the hotel can only blame it self for the lack of urgency for tackling the epidemic theft from rooms that i was aware of over 3 years ago.
I FEEL SORRY FOR THE HARD WORKING STAFF.
Written by: xwill7, 10 Oct 2011 3:20 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Lock the luggave, use the safe, or keep it in your car. I never leave things laying around in the hotel room even if its in the east coast.
From: Dominican Republic
Also to add to the list, Let's not forget the higher GOV taxes added to the flights.
Written by: glassman, 11 Oct 2011 6:57 AM
From: Canada, Ontario
Puerto Plata is killing itself. Eight years ago, the Malacon was a thriving stretch along the beach. Now it is a garbage dump. You cant sit on the beach for the broken glass and garbage. Not to mention the sewage being dumpted. This past April there were no more then 10 couples at the old fort.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
There are fine hotels in the POP area: Iberostar, Be Live Marien, Grand Paradise and Gran Ventana just to name a few.
The Bahia Principe operation was not stand alone, they have hotels in DR, Mexico and the Rio operation boasted the highest occupancy while others in Playa Dorada had already shut down.
Punta Cana gets the lion's share in the trade shows, because Rainieri the 1st, king of Punta Cana, has his little deals with the government and their Spaniard partners.
Basically, unfair competition killled POP. Although local business people helped tie the noose.
Written by: xwill7, 11 Oct 2011 11:59 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Alot of people from Canada there
Written by: joebin, 11 Oct 2011 12:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I am living on the north coast of DR since 1986. I own a small vacation property since then. The real problem does not come all from givernment or hotel owners. It come from the wholesellers that oblige the hotel owners to offer the all inclusive package. They pay less than US$25.00 per day per person. Hotel owner have to supply all drink and food, round trip transportation from and to airport, hotel room, cleaning, maintaining green area, beach area and pool area. A tricky thing for any business in this country is the electricity. It will eat most of any company's income not to mention everyone must have a diesel generator (huge contamination) and spend money on burning fuel, maintain and repair their equipment. Leaving the hotel owners with almost nothing (no need to hide their income outside the country, they have barely nothing left). If you are a travel agent, you get 10% commission. You wish to sell an all inclusive! And for US$25. per day, what do you eat an
Written by: Chasbo, 11 Oct 2011 12:39 PM
From: United States
Joebin-Where is your property? I will be in the area later this month and November (I live 1/2 time in La Romana) the other half in NYC.
Would enjoy meeting you. That's some history! 27 years!)
Written by: abc200, 11 Oct 2011 2:30 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
I'm sure toruism is increasing in the DR. Many hotels that were empty or not built five years ago are now bursting in the season.
Unfortunately much of PP wwas developed 1-30 years ago in a most insensitive way. Plus is a huge amount of 'locals' who do not necessarily relate to tourists that well.
Other areas have considerable advantages and its possible that PP/Sosua area settles down to being industrial and commercial cities.
Nearly the whole of the samana peninsula is emerging as a major tourist area and is sure to be the jewel on the North coast.
Balcones del Atlantico and many other recently developed or rennovated resorts are now attracting visitors
S.
Written by: underpar, 11 Oct 2011 3:14 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I am not suprised this Hotel was run down and needs a facelift!
The beach had many sand flies and not to mention the problem they had a few years ago with everyone getting sick.
Unfair competition from Punta Cana give me a break!
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
The problem is that all the money that support all the bogus projects and infrastructures in the Capital, and the south provinces come from the taxes the Cibao and the North pay, and which do not stay or get re-invested in the Cibao and the north as it should.
It is time the Cibaenos and norteños get together and demand the taxes they pay to support the whole country, do not go to the capital and the south, but stay in the area.
It is time the Cibaenos raise and demand "our money will not go to support all the lazy government workers and “coje botellas” from the Capitai, let them starve to death.
The Cibao money must remain in the Cibao and north!
The Cibaenos must form a similar group as the "Tea Party" or like teh one picketing Wall Street.
Written by: joebin, 11 Oct 2011 4:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Hi Chasbo, I am located on the north coast, in Costambar Puerto Plata, Villas Jazmin
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
The North coast is the most beautiful place in the country! The south east terrain is way too flat with no panoramic view. Just remember the most valuable real state and places around the world are all about the "view".
The north will come back no matter what. Maybe it needs to hit rock bottom so private investors not the all inclusive ones will rediscover the beauty and potential of the area.
Written by: joebin, 11 Oct 2011 5:12 PM
From: Dominican Republic
You are right Poponlaburra, there are huge deals on real estate on the north coast of Dominican Republic. More in Costambar whare you can buy properties almost half price of construction cost. Myself, I have a huge house for sale on a 20,000 square feet lot with dozen of fruits trees with construction cost over 1 million dollars. I could not get more than half of it. And definitely, real estate will go up within the next few years. So time is now for people that are seeking a peaceful and safe area in a semi-tropical country. Landscaping in Puerto Plata is incredible not to mention other fantastic attractions.
Written by: abc200, 11 Oct 2011 5:24 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
There are plenty of beautiful views in the Samana peninsula.
Many fine beaches.
Property prices are rising.
S.
From: United States
Good Morning,
First let me say that I am new to this board but I am not new to DR. I have been travelling to this beautiful country where my grandparents were born for over thirty years. I am sorry that the Bahia Principe has closed it doors. The hotel is located too far from a major international airport and in my opinion could not compete with the other resorts in Puerta Plata , Sosua and Cabarete. I don't particular care for the all inclusive hotels because I don't travel to DR to hang out with tourist. I love the beaches in the Rio San Juan area especially the ones that are frequented by the locals. I think the present economy has affected tourism all over DR. I was in Cabarete in March and the place was practically empty.
From: Dominican Republic
The true story is that there are no major Dominican investors on the north coast involved. All Dominican investments are focused in Punta Cana (and now Samana). There are huge foreign investments in Puerto Plata region but without major investments of the government there is no way that tourists would come back to this region. The goverment built a new highway from Santo Domingo to Samana just because some big shots have invested in this region. Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete are waiting since years for the main road to get fixed. The secretary of tourism lied in front of TV and reportes in September 2010 that a new road will be started the same year. We have October 2011 and may be he can show us where they are building the road :)
Just a bunch of corrupt politicians who are securing their own investments. No vision and no plans for the economy
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
@Joebin
With Hippoloco in power, don{t expect anything to go up in terms of value.
Expect dollar and taxes hikes, though.
So be prepared to live in your beautiful house for many years to come, or accept the first offer that comes your way.
From: United States, Washington, DC
abc-200 is a crackhead
Written by: Chasbo, 17 Oct 2011 11:37 AM
From: United States
Joebin
Drop me a line at CDecker328@aol.com. I may be up that way at end of the month/early Nov.
Written by: joebin, 21 Oct 2011 7:29 AM
From: Dominican Republic
you are so right WaterPolo! If Hipolito comes back into power, I am affraid that I will have to die in my house :-)
Written by: vonstier, 21 Oct 2011 11:21 AM
From: United States
Knowing this area well, and the reputation of this hotel, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did...for years there have been stories of abuse by the staff to its guests, stealing being at the top of the list. I have been told of money missing from locked safes. And then there is the food, who could every eat what they served...Thank god its closing
Written by: DRmaker, 4 Nov 2011 5:46 PM
From: Canada
I read in some DR newspaper that the Bahia Principe resort is only closed temporarily and will re-open on December 15th. Reason it closed is that it is very slow now.
I go to Sosua 3 times a years on a package that includes airfare, hotel and transfers from and to the airport in POP. Everytime there were a lot of tourists on my coach going to the Bahia in Rio San Juan.
The coach that I take drops about 4-8 of us off at our resort in Sosua and the rest of the tourists on the coach (maybe 30-40) go on to Bahia Principe. This was always in the high season (Dec- April) and in July.
So it makes sense that it will re-open once things pick-up.
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Wait, according to government pukes there is an increase in tourists.
Oh, that’s right it is the entitlement mentality government liars hoping that this would not happen.
Now Rio San Juan is screwed.
The tourists will go where they feel welcomed, safe, secure, and obtain value for their travel investment. It appears the North Zone has fallen short on its attractions and marketing.
Next in line is Samana.
The shenanigans to divert tourism to the East have worked perfectly.
Puerto Plata and whole north coast killed their own tuorist attraction by not getting on with the program of providing better services changing things around. Have you by any chance had the chance to visit Juan Dolio where it has change the way of doing business by going from an all inclusive beach town to a an upscale residential community something that the north coast has not done. All they do there is have same old shit and no one is trying to make any changes to be part of the new way of doing business. Well Juan Dolio has done it and it is making a change because 60% of the investors in this area wealthy Dominican from Santo Domingo that got tired of having to travel so far just to go to the beach with their family. So please stop putting all the blames on the government because the businesses as well have to invest in order to get better customers
Bernie,
A few might want upscale places but most people are looking for good service with all included in the price. With all of the taxes and fees that you have to pay to fly in, all included is the way to go for most tourists that are traveling with their entire family. They need to make some upgrades and improve the marketing.
bernies, you are completely correct. The north coast HELPED kill themselves.
But the government should have stepped in and slapped them upside the head and said “STOP thinking JUST for today”. “STOP the garbage on the streets”. “STOP the transparent greed” and on and on…………
This transparently corrupt government is so intent on filling their own pockets with money, they provide NO concrete help.
First they let the infrastructure fall apart so badly you couldnn't drive the North Coast without damaging your car or driving 5 miles an hour on the major road. They fixed the roads to win the election and are already falling apart again. Looks like the government is giving up this election to Hippo and not fixing the roads in advance of the election.
The North Coast isn't any different from the Punta Cana region except it is way more beautiful. There isn't a danger to tourists as some say and the resort owners hands are tied by the government always.
All is not lost... The north coast still has its natural beauty and still has the international airport. I think that the real cheesy resorts should go and the better once should stay. Remember even if outside tourists are not traveling as much, the people from el Cibao area love these beaches and the people that go back to el Cibao to visit family love these beaches and usually plan trips to the north coast since its a short drive.
I agree, Puerto Plata has a lot more potential than Punta Cana and a lot more attractions for people who want to venture out of the resort, a malecon that Punta Cana could only dream of, lush mountains and water falls nearby, and a real town, even though the beach in PC is better, if you go to areas like Punta Rusia, Playa Grande or Sosua, you won't miss much.
This NE area has to be promoted very differently than any other part of the country ,,it is very pretty and relatively quiet and peaceful . so it is best not to blame the more glitzy east or the down at the heel Puerta Plata ..It needs just much better promotion
Last October, 2010, the Minister of Tourism announced that the government would spend over 5 million dollars to advertise the Puerto Plata area.
Shortly after the Minister of Tourism made that announcement I saw one advertisement for Puerto Plata on a Toronto TV station and have not seen another one since in the past year.
If you talk with people from all over the world, they will tell you that all the advertisements for the Dominican Republic are mainly for the east coast area, it is very rare to see an advertisement for Puerto Plata area especially on TV.
I FEEL SORRY FOR THE HARD WORKING STAFF.
The Bahia Principe operation was not stand alone, they have hotels in DR, Mexico and the Rio operation boasted the highest occupancy while others in Playa Dorada had already shut down.
Punta Cana gets the lion's share in the trade shows, because Rainieri the 1st, king of Punta Cana, has his little deals with the government and their Spaniard partners.
Basically, unfair competition killled POP. Although local business people helped tie the noose.
Would enjoy meeting you. That's some history! 27 years!)
Unfortunately much of PP wwas developed 1-30 years ago in a most insensitive way. Plus is a huge amount of 'locals' who do not necessarily relate to tourists that well.
Other areas have considerable advantages and its possible that PP/Sosua area settles down to being industrial and commercial cities.
Nearly the whole of the samana peninsula is emerging as a major tourist area and is sure to be the jewel on the North coast.
Balcones del Atlantico and many other recently developed or rennovated resorts are now attracting visitors
S.
The beach had many sand flies and not to mention the problem they had a few years ago with everyone getting sick.
Unfair competition from Punta Cana give me a break!
It is time the Cibaenos and norteños get together and demand the taxes they pay to support the whole country, do not go to the capital and the south, but stay in the area.
It is time the Cibaenos raise and demand "our money will not go to support all the lazy government workers and “coje botellas” from the Capitai, let them starve to death.
The Cibao money must remain in the Cibao and north!
The Cibaenos must form a similar group as the "Tea Party" or like teh one picketing Wall Street.
The north will come back no matter what. Maybe it needs to hit rock bottom so private investors not the all inclusive ones will rediscover the beauty and potential of the area.
Many fine beaches.
Property prices are rising.
S.
First let me say that I am new to this board but I am not new to DR. I have been travelling to this beautiful country where my grandparents were born for over thirty years. I am sorry that the Bahia Principe has closed it doors. The hotel is located too far from a major international airport and in my opinion could not compete with the other resorts in Puerta Plata , Sosua and Cabarete. I don't particular care for the all inclusive hotels because I don't travel to DR to hang out with tourist. I love the beaches in the Rio San Juan area especially the ones that are frequented by the locals. I think the present economy has affected tourism all over DR. I was in Cabarete in March and the place was practically empty.
Just a bunch of corrupt politicians who are securing their own investments. No vision and no plans for the economy
With Hippoloco in power, don{t expect anything to go up in terms of value.
Expect dollar and taxes hikes, though.
So be prepared to live in your beautiful house for many years to come, or accept the first offer that comes your way.
Drop me a line at CDecker328@aol.com. I may be up that way at end of the month/early Nov.
I go to Sosua 3 times a years on a package that includes airfare, hotel and transfers from and to the airport in POP. Everytime there were a lot of tourists on my coach going to the Bahia in Rio San Juan.
The coach that I take drops about 4-8 of us off at our resort in Sosua and the rest of the tourists on the coach (maybe 30-40) go on to Bahia Principe. This was always in the high season (Dec- April) and in July.
So it makes sense that it will re-open once things pick-up.