SANTO DOMINGO.- The top investors in Dominican Republic’s hotel sector agreed they don’t want their guests to remain locked up in "gilded cages" and suggest that the authorities create adequate conditions so tourists access adjacent communities and enjoy the country’s myriad attractions.
The business leaders say they want the cities to become complementary attractions to heighten the interest in the Dominican tourism offer, but cited the many difficulties which must be surmounted, including the lack of public safety and streetlights, rampant trash, ruined sidewalks and to impose order to solve those problems in the tourism regions, that is to say, the urban sprawl that surround the sun and beach destinations.
In the conference "Dominican tourism: keys, foundations and concerns,” hosted by Rafael Caballero, of the magazine Preferente, Spanish investors defended the hotel chains that operate with the "all included" system, from allegations that they prefer to keep the tourists locked up in their facilities, so that they don’t have contact with the community, limiting their contribution to the local businesses and the economy.
Gabriel Escarrer, of Hotels Melía, affirmed that no one wants to keep guests locked up in a hotel for seven days, but they can’t do anything about if the surroundings are of little attraction for tourists, or for problems of security, lack of streetlights or because guests can’t even take a stroll for lack of sidewalks.
As an example he cited Bavaro, Punta Cana (east), where the main internal road doesn’t have sidewalks for pedestrians. "That must change so the tourist can experience life outside the beach facilities."
In the case of Puerto Plata, the hotelier said the government and private sector must join in efforts to rebuild the highways, relaunch the urban offer and raise the quality of the tourist product.
Carmen Riu, of the Spanish Group Riu, said her chain wants to provide its guests something more than sun and beach, and stressed the need to improve the cultural offer, urban amusements, gastronomy and activities. She reaffirmed Riu’s commitment to the Dominican destination and in Puerto Plata’s case, recommends stronger integration among tour operators and hoteliers to restore the flow of tourists.
Written by: xwill7, 20 Oct 2011 11:43 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Puerto Plata and the north coast looks much better
Written by: bernies, 20 Oct 2011 11:57 AM
From: United States, key west fl
Why do you guys put some money as well to fix some of this issues. You the hotels chain onwers main concern is about your properties but you do invest anything to try to better the nearby barrios so that your guests feel more secure, why because as long as you can pay for your security personal to protect your area everything is fine for your business. It is time for all of you to give something back to the communities, just look at the viccini group of what they are doing in Guayacanes building houses, schools and much more for the residents or the area were are thinking of building the financial park.
From: United States
Whenever someone tells me that they have been to the Dominican Republic, I asked them where did they go and what did they see. They usually tell me they stayed on a resort and that is all they saw. I tell them then you have not been to the Dominican Republic. The country has a lot to see and do. It's not as dangerous as Jamaica, Mexico or other tourist destinations. Hell, per capita Puerto Rico has more murders and crime. If someone is really interested in seeing the beauty of DR, all they have to do is some research. I always travell alone there and I never had any issues.
Written by: telemeco, 20 Oct 2011 12:02 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
need to establish GPS
tourist stop
train people to speak, french, German, English, Italian , Russian, Japanese, Chinese
place to visit map, with sign to get to it
put name on road, must DR road have no name outside the capital
build visitor center in remote towns
establish postal zip code for remote towns and mail services. people like to mail postcard
Cheap Internet access
Train police
Establish fund for smaller town in DR to build hotel or housing for tourist to stay while exploring island.
have speeder on the highway get ticket, Dominican drive on highway like a formula 1 car
fix roads, Dominican road and not maintain cause it is a political issue to get re-elected next time around
Electricity in small town is a big issue, no transformer blow all equipment
Feel free to keep on adding to the list, i know there more out there
Written by: xwill7, 20 Oct 2011 12:30 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
telemego,
You can get your google map location if you have a smartphone with 3G in DR
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I do not agree with much in the article , I used to travel in India during the 1960s and 1970s where there are no AI hotels and all the tourists walked without footpaths to the bazaars and markets and we took India as it was then, a very poor underdeveopled and slightly dangerous country
Similarly tourists will take the Dominican Republic as it is ,,a slowly developing but poor country .The only difference is that now this country is more than just slightly dangerous to walk or drive around , especially at night ,,just too many villains and tiegeres
From: United States
Mr Escarrer says
As an example he cited Bavaro, Punta Cana (east), where the main internal road doesn’t have sidewalks for pedestrians. "That must change so the tourist can experience life outside the beach facilities.
that is to be expected when you build a tourist resort first, then try to build a town later. nothing to do outside the resort, and substandard infrastructure. at least POP had a town structure, but the geniuses let it go to hell, because Bavaro had longer strips of white sand beach. now the chickens are about to come home to roost. beware the tourism life cycle.
From: Dominican Republic, Cabarete
xwill7,
yep, you're right. i get my location, within 60m. of course it is a point on a grey background, because there are no roads of any other features, but if you need your exact lat/long, you will get it to 4 decimal places.
gps won't bring tourists, but it would sure be nice, there is some stuff available on the web for garmins, but it is patchy, all collected by individuals. surely the government can put a few pesos into some mapping. it would have many good applications beyond tourism.
Written by: xwill7, 20 Oct 2011 2:16 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
just give a moto concho a few bucks and follow him if you are lost
From: United States
Very good point - Dreadlocks
The Government is desperate to make money so you can't necessarily "blame" them for trying to encourage the building of resorts etc, but just like some other things they lack the FORESIGHT needed to do certain things properly. Tourism is vital to the economy, no doubt there, but it only takes a few seconds of thought to realize that you can not SUSTAIN Dominican tourism without proper supporting structure. Adding insult to injury there is little done to discourage the mistreatment and indirect "pillaging" of tourist when it comes to charging prices. If people would only see that tourist although generally niave are a ONE TIME DEAL if there are treated wrong. They could be a renewable source of income if some people would only stop trying to rip them off at every chance. We now live in the age of information, word DOES get around. Tourism could EASILY be a cash cow for all if people would just treat it decently and delicately. Not like a slot machine.
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 2:59 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Whenever someone tells me that they have been to the Dominican Republic, I asked them where did they go and what did they see. They usually tell me they stayed on a resort and that is all they saw. I tell them then you have not been to the Dominican Republic. The country has a lot to see and do. It's not as dangerous as Jamaica, Mexico or other tourist destinations. Hell, per capita Puerto Rico has more murders and crime. If someone is really interested in seeing the beauty of DR, all they have to do is some research. I always travell alone there and I never had any issues
JUST BE CAUSE U NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT MANY OTHERS DID HAD TONS OF PROBLEMS DOES IT?.
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 3:48 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Chief says many cops have "godfathers"
The Chief of Police, Jose Armando Polanco Gomez, says that he has a list of police agents who have avoided new training by using friends in high places, and he will recommend their discharge during the next session of the Higher Police Council.
The highest-ranking Police officer did not go into details or mention the exact number, although he did say that the training for the force is systematic. Polanco Gomez warned that many police officers have been discharged due to improper actions and that these measures would not
He attributed the beating of a medical student in Mao to a lack of professionalism and proper training, and ordered the immediate suspension of five agents involved in the incident. He stated that many policemen want to be colonels, generals and even chiefs, without having served as lieutenants, majors and captains beforehand. "
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 3:49 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
and this so-called police men are the ones to protect the TOURISTS... LOL.....
THESE SAME SO-CALLED POLICE BRING THEIR OWN CRIME WAVE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 3:51 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
just give a moto concho a few bucks and follow him if you are lost
YEAH SURE THEY SHOULD DO THIS...LOL
IF THEY HAPPEN TO GET THE WRONG MOTO CONCHO GUY THAT COULD BE THE END OF ONES LIFE.....
THEYR ARE ALL NOT GOOD GUYS U KNOW.
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 3:56 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Written by: Ricardolito, 20 Oct 2011 12:59 PM
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I do not agree with much in the article , I used to travel in India during the 1960s and 1970s where there are
LOOKS LIKE THIS MR. RICKY GUY HAS TRAVEL THE WORLD NOT MANY OR ANY HE DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT, BUT I WONDER IF HE GETS HIS INFO. ON GOOGLE OR HE HAS BEEN THERE??? VERY STRANGE MR RICKY.
Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 4:00 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
a slowly developing but poor country .The only difference is that now this country is more than just slightly dangerous to walk or drive around , especially at night ,,just too many villains and tiegeres
NOW MR. RICKY SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS?
GIVE DECENT PEOPLE A FIGHTING CHANCE GUY.
YOUR TAKING A BIG CHANCE IF U LEAVE THE HOTEL GROUNDS.
DOMINICANS THE HONEST HARD WORKING ONES IN MOST CITYS ARE SCARED TO GO AT OF THEIR HOMES.
U KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SCARED OF? THEIR OWN POLICE AND ARMY WHO BRING THEIR OWN CRIME WAVE TO THIS COUNTRY FULL OF TRASH AND CROOKS.
From: United States, California
I will never forget the time when Leonel and his army of thugs dressed in uniform of brutality came to Sosua and destroyed 100s of Casetas belonging to the hard working people of Sosua. Those of you who are from Sosua should remember this horrible moment; I think it happened in 1997. While the brutality was taking place the gringos where passing by and looking at the Babylonian do what they how two best, and that my friends played a big part on the destruction of the tourism in Sosua.
From: Dominican Republic, I dislike all politicians and their afiliated parties... "I simply say it AS IT IS!!"
mass deportation of all ravaging, slum creating haitians. even dominicans - send them all to haiti.
Written by: DRmaker, 20 Oct 2011 6:05 PM
From: Canada
"Written by: xwill7, 20 Oct 2011 11:43 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Puerto Plata and the north coast looks much better"
That's right xwill7. Sosua is a prime example. It is a nice town to get out of the AI and to visit. It has shopping, restaurants, bars and beaches. Now, with the recently opend Parque Mirador, they have concerts there at night sometimes, and you can access the beach below.
Would like to see more people get out of the AI's in Playa Dorada and visit the city of Puerto Plata. I visited POP in July and really liked it.
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
I am 100% sure these people ocupied this land illegally.
Written by: DRmaker, 20 Oct 2011 6:12 PM
From: Canada
"Written by: ELPAPA999, 20 Oct 2011 4:43 PM
From: United States, California
I will never forget the time when Leonel and his army of thugs dressed in uniform of brutality came to Sosua and destroyed 100s of Casetas belonging to the hard working people of Sosua. Those of you who are from Sosua should remember this horrible moment; I think it happened in 1997"
Tourism almost died in Sosua because of that and so from what I have read about the history of Sosua the government allowed them to re-open and and tourism boomed again in the Su.
I go to Sosua 3 or 4 times a year and tourism is down a little, but I think that has more to do with the lower world economy.
Written by: DRmaker, 20 Oct 2011 6:20 PM
From: Canada
"Written by: danny00, 20 Oct 2011 3:51 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
just give a moto concho a few bucks and follow him if you are lost
YEAH SURE THEY SHOULD DO THIS...LOL
IF THEY HAPPEN TO GET THE WRONG MOTO CONCHO GUY THAT COULD BE THE END OF ONES LIFE.....
THEYR ARE ALL NOT GOOD GUYS U KNOW."
LMAO.
I have to agree with danny00 on this one, LOL.
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Is this the future of our country, more uneducated people than the ones we have?
This is a huge problem. I see them all the time roaming the streets in huge numbers like freaking goose.
I mean it's not their fault, they're just trying to survive, it's our good for nothing authority that allow them in.
Trujillo was a bad man, but we the kind of politician we put in power, he looks better and better every day.
Written by: frank, 20 Oct 2011 8:08 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
Danny00,
i don't know where you live or lived in the DR but, here in Cabarete, I walk back and forth to work at all hours of the day and night without any problems. before this, i walked around Bonao for 11 years--from 1993 to 2004 without a problem as well. all my friends here, including mostly ex-pats take motoconchos on a daily basis. i can count on one hand how many of them have had problems. And most of these problems are directly related to alcohol. in every case where there has been a problem, it was directly related to a person being drunk and the motoconcho trying to take advantage of the situation. as for the bar i work at, never had a single problem 4.5 years running...no fights, no pushing matches, etc. however, further down the beach at the 3am nightclubs, they have several problems, big problems. Why? Always alcohol related. In other words, crime seems to find those most vulnerable (Extremely drunk people) much more than people who just go about their...
Written by: frank, 20 Oct 2011 8:15 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
...their business. keep your nose clean, act right, be smart, and you'll seldom will ever have a problem. however, start buying drugs off the street, start stumbling down the street drunk, and yes, you'll find plenty of people who will try and take advantage of the situation. this is true in America, in Oslo, Norway where i live, and just about any country you can mention. i don't understand how i've been traveling and walking around this island for nearly 35 years now (i went to high school in Bonao in 1978-80) and never once have i had a single problem! How and the f$%%K is that possible? Nor have any of my cousins ever had a problem here. They live in Bonao. there's something that's not making sense here. i work at a bar, on the beach, all hours of the night, and yet nothing remotely close of what's been said here has ever befallen me. i think it has a lot of who you run with, one's attitude, one's vulnerability (drunk or High), seeking drugs, or just doing stupid things.
Written by: frank, 20 Oct 2011 8:26 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
People need to smarten the f%^&K up! Hanging out in nightclubs on the beach until 3am in the morning drunk, and letting prostitutes dance and rub up against you, of course, your going to get pick-pocketed; stumbling down the street drunk, of course you're going to get approached by unsavory characters looking for a free lunch; allowing some stupid, uneducated Sanky hang out with you so that you'll buy them free drinks, of course, their going to take advantage of the situation; walking around with a bunch of gold around your neck, of course you're going to attract the wrong kind of people. you're biggest handicap in life is your attitude. act right, be smart, show people respect, but also keep people at a comfortable distance, and bad things have a much smaller chance of befalling you. but start hanging around the wrong crowd, or allowing the wrong kind of people to hang out with you, don't be surprised when they try and take advantage of you.this is true for the U.S, Europe, anywhere!
Written by: frank, 20 Oct 2011 8:36 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
Stop blaming the Haitains! I work & live surrounded by Haitians. it's not the Haitains you got worry about! Not even remotely! It's the Dominicans (Of which i'm one) who have been deported back to the DR (I'm not a deportee) and do not want to work for $2 an hour. these dominicans are the people who you need to look out for, these are the dominicans you got to keep at arms length!! these are the ones looking for vulnerable people to take advantage of. almost all crime that i'm familiar with is being committed by Dominicans. i have never seen a Haitian trying to take advantage of the tourists here on the north coast. What i do see, however, on a daily basis with tourists being ripped off are 1.) the prostitutes ripping drunk tourists off--pick-pocketing, etc, and 2.) the Beach Sellers ripping tourists off with their cheap, plastic jewelry and not taking "No" for an answer. Don't let the propoganda and herd mentality fool you, Haitains aren't the problem w/ ripping people off. Not close.
From: United States
a great primer from frank regarding common sense behaviors. sadly, the DR is crawling with foreigners who have zero street smarts. too many rubes from small towns in places like Canada, where people generally see very little knavery. they come to the DR, meet some girl in a bar, and think that she is on the church choir, and loves only them. before you know it, the girl is invited into their homes, along with their cousins. the cousin is usually the boyfriend. in short order, all their valuables have gone bye bye, and they wonder why. well, because you are no longer in Banff, that´s why.
Written by: Grosero, 21 Oct 2011 5:10 AM
From: United States
Hanni is not sant domingo which is a sht hole. Now the port of hanni is a sht hole, but not hanni
Written by: telemeco, 21 Oct 2011 7:55 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
All of you who want to pay a motoconcho to drive you to a place where his friend can put a gun on your head, take your money, rape your wife and take your car say IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
From: United States, California
@telemeco,
Unfortunately this happened a lot in the DR.
From: Dominican Republic
Here in Bavaro...they are putting in sidewalks!!!
Where????
In places nobody walks!!! LOL This seems to be the case here. Well intentioned actions that are not at all thought out! The hoteliers are indeed correct that for most, walking off the resort is a challenge...not because of the people, but the lack of sidewalks and lighting. Add to that the 30 motoconchos per corner, all calling to you...even though you are holding car keys and unlocking your door...lol.
Mrs Riu is a bit off the mark, as both of her efforts in the DR are not located centrally and require a pricy cab ride to get anywhere.
con't....
From: Dominican Republic
One thing I have often thought would be a good idea, is a "tourist trolley" that runs a regular route. Have to be a guest of the resort to get on. This could ferry guests to the ever increasing number of restaurants and venues that make up Bavaro/Punta Cana. Of course as long as we have cab unions, this is not about to happen. Love it when my wife (Dominican) takes a cab to the bus station from Cocotal and it costs her 100 pesos...and when I do...it is $15.00. I see the cabs lined up outside the resorts...all of them wondering why they have so little business. It all comes down to price!
Another issue....roaming vendor nights on the resorts. Find one review on trip advisor where someone says "they like this opportunity". Most will talk of aggressive tactics and rudeness. Resorts could cut back on this annoyance...but they won't, as these guys have to pay to be there.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Mike I wonder if you have seen the tourist trolley operating in Zona Colonial ..it is like a minature train with an engine and 2 or 3 carriages ..it would be great for your idea in Bavaro and also would be good for other resorts .
From: United States
or, one of those stretched jeeps from the Philipines. man, them things are butt ugly
Written by: telemeco, 21 Oct 2011 12:50 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
@Puntacanamike
i only wish there would be an investment in a train that leave santo domingo, to Boca Chica, Guayacane, San Pedro de Macorix, La Romana, Casa de Campo. Higuey, Bavaro and final destination Punta Cana All Onboard
From: United States
As an American who lived in La Vega for three years, built and ran a business there, I can say a couple of important things:
1) I love DR
2) I found that it takes a certain mindset to foster foresight. I didn't see much of it when I was there. Those who are well educated or have travelled to other countries use it for their benefit but have no desire to teach others how it works. The Dominican plan of action seems to be Shoot!, Ready!, Aim! The attitude is to get started as soon as possible, get it done, and worry about the problems we've caused later. This is especially true when payment is expected at the end of the job. I don't know how many times I showed detailed plans to someone who told me they understood what I wanted and proceeded to build something totally different, not to my specs and without regard to future operations.
i love what some have said here. Education is the key. That and the realization that it (DR) is one of God's most beautiful locations on earth
From: United States
actionshots says
2) I found that it takes a certain mindset to foster foresight. I didn't see much of it when I was there. Those who are well educated or have travelled to other countries use it for their benefit but have no desire to teach others how it work
the critical thing i notice about some people here is that you cannot tell them anything. they know it all, and you just waste your time. if you have a basic knowledge of something, and you see someone trying to do it the wrong way, leave him alone, and do not frustrate yoursself trying to teach him the proper approach. you will just end up pulling out your hair.
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Are you talking about yourself Dread? or Atabey? LOL.
From: United States
one thing you will learn about me, DONT BE SILENT, is that i do not pontificate on subjects with which i have limited knowledge. i do not argue about the history of Hispaniola. i leave that up to Mr Lautaro, Cibaeno, Generoso, and that group. i do not argue boxing with Tupapaupa. i do not argue football with Devin. get the point? Atabey, on the other hand, likes to try to argue economics with me, even though he has no background in the discipline, and i have a graduate degree. so, i have gotten to the point where i just let him think he knows more than i do about the matter. at the end of the day, i have a pigskin rectangle that says i have some formal training in the matter. he has his imagination.
From: United States
a good ,positive start would be an "action" with the round-up & disposal of the hatian problem. their presence is a hindrance to development.
Written by: frank, 23 Oct 2011 11:16 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
Eltinaje01,
I respectively disagree with your assessment. but i'm not for opening up the borders & allowing Haitians to flow in at will. however, at least here on the North Coast, the haitians are anything but a a hindrance; they're here to work, and work hard they do. in fact, they're doing all the hard labour jobs that no one else seems to want, and certainly not for the amount of money being paid. And again, it's been my experience that the Tigres are strictly Dominican, and the worst Tigres are the ones who have been deported back home and have gotten used to a life of crime in the U.S. These are the ones you have to especially look out for; these are the ones who are able to speak fluent english with the tourists and play the charlatan, the Sanky, the sneeky friend. the Haitians...they're just here to work their asses off in construction or anything else they can find. I work at a popular restaurant/bar and never had one single problem with a Haitian. and again, i'm Dominican.
Written by: frank, 23 Oct 2011 11:23 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
However, the people that i routinely have to keep an eye out for, the ones i have to be vigilant with in regards to our customers, are the tigres who slide into the bar and pull up a seat next to a newly arrived tourist and start speaking english to them. they start out slow, making small talk..where you from? "Oh? I also lived in the U.S!" would you like to have a girlfriend? would you like some drugs? would you like to come with me to a really nice bar, or brothel, or nightclub, etc. Before the tourist knows it, he's being led out onto a journey to a place he has no idea about, encouraged to take out money from his ATM machine. these are always Domincans leading these tourists into these unsuspecting traps. It doesn't happen often, but i get my ear full when it does! But for Haitians coming into our bar/restaurant and trying to lead a tourist somewhere...i've never seen it happen, not once! this is not a rant against Dominicans. My family is from Bonao. ths is a rant against the...
Written by: frank, 23 Oct 2011 11:31 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
...the "Herd/Crowd Mentality" of blaming Haitains for all of society's or culture's ills; this is a rant against pointing fingers at one nationality of people and then dumping all of one's cultural problems onto them. Ask yourself this: Who is it in the news 99% of the time getting caught with drugs & crime related isuues with drugs...the assissinations, the killings in the burroughs, the Kingpins, & the "Hitmen," the money laundering, and the money smuggling, etc...nealry always Dominicans. i'm sure Haitains have more than their share of it on their side of the border, but for anyone that reads the news everyday, i would have to say that in all my years of reading the headlines & following stories & court cases, it's almost always us dominicans responsible. it's not pretty, and it's not going away. There is way, way too much money involved, and it wouldn't matter if this was the richest country in Europe: Norway (where i also live), is the richest country in...
Written by: frank, 23 Oct 2011 11:38 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
...Europe; it's not going away there; and it won't be going away. Even in Norway where there is no such thing as poverty, where people have a standard of living far and above nearly any country in the world, drugs are prevalant, their accepted into the upper-classes. There is way, way, too much money to be made from it. Norway has "FREE EDUCATION" for everyone; they have "FREE HEALTH CARE" for everyone (Our taxes pay for it, but you don't have to work in order to recieve it), we have free housing and money for people out of work, and yet the drugs are anywhere and everywhere. they're not going away! in fact, i would venture to say that drug use is higher in richer countries than here in the DR. Here, i don't have one single relative who does drugs here! it's taboo, it's looked upon as very low-life, a disease even! but in Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, UK, Germany, it doesn't carry this kind of negative connotation and association. its part...
Written by: frank, 23 Oct 2011 11:43 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Caberete, Norway, USA
...of European and USA culture, and it's not going away no matter how much eduation you give to people, no matter how much free health care you give them, no matter how much free money and housing you give them, the drugs are never going to go away, and the dealers are never going to go away because there's just too much money to be made. i don't do drugs, never have, never will, but i've been surrounded (not directly) by them in one form or another (people doing recreational drugs) and it doesn't take a rocket sicentist to see that the richer the culture, the more educated the society, the more drugs are accepted--Holland, Germany, UK, USA, Scandinavia (Copenhagen even has Christiania city), to name but a few, all have drugs, and accept drugs as part of society that has been around since the turn of the century and even much, much longer than that.
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tourist stop
train people to speak, french, German, English, Italian , Russian, Japanese, Chinese
place to visit map, with sign to get to it
put name on road, must DR road have no name outside the capital
build visitor center in remote towns
establish postal zip code for remote towns and mail services. people like to mail postcard
Cheap Internet access
Train police
Establish fund for smaller town in DR to build hotel or housing for tourist to stay while exploring island.
have speeder on the highway get ticket, Dominican drive on highway like a formula 1 car
fix roads, Dominican road and not maintain cause it is a political issue to get re-elected next time around
Electricity in small town is a big issue, no transformer blow all equipment
Feel free to keep on adding to the list, i know there more out there
You can get your google map location if you have a smartphone with 3G in DR
Similarly tourists will take the Dominican Republic as it is ,,a slowly developing but poor country .The only difference is that now this country is more than just slightly dangerous to walk or drive around , especially at night ,,just too many villains and tiegeres
As an example he cited Bavaro, Punta Cana (east), where the main internal road doesn’t have sidewalks for pedestrians. "That must change so the tourist can experience life outside the beach facilities.
that is to be expected when you build a tourist resort first, then try to build a town later. nothing to do outside the resort, and substandard infrastructure. at least POP had a town structure, but the geniuses let it go to hell, because Bavaro had longer strips of white sand beach. now the chickens are about to come home to roost. beware the tourism life cycle.
yep, you're right. i get my location, within 60m. of course it is a point on a grey background, because there are no roads of any other features, but if you need your exact lat/long, you will get it to 4 decimal places.
gps won't bring tourists, but it would sure be nice, there is some stuff available on the web for garmins, but it is patchy, all collected by individuals. surely the government can put a few pesos into some mapping. it would have many good applications beyond tourism.
The Government is desperate to make money so you can't necessarily "blame" them for trying to encourage the building of resorts etc, but just like some other things they lack the FORESIGHT needed to do certain things properly. Tourism is vital to the economy, no doubt there, but it only takes a few seconds of thought to realize that you can not SUSTAIN Dominican tourism without proper supporting structure. Adding insult to injury there is little done to discourage the mistreatment and indirect "pillaging" of tourist when it comes to charging prices. If people would only see that tourist although generally niave are a ONE TIME DEAL if there are treated wrong. They could be a renewable source of income if some people would only stop trying to rip them off at every chance. We now live in the age of information, word DOES get around. Tourism could EASILY be a cash cow for all if people would just treat it decently and delicately. Not like a slot machine.
JUST BE CAUSE U NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT MANY OTHERS DID HAD TONS OF PROBLEMS DOES IT?.
The Chief of Police, Jose Armando Polanco Gomez, says that he has a list of police agents who have avoided new training by using friends in high places, and he will recommend their discharge during the next session of the Higher Police Council.
The highest-ranking Police officer did not go into details or mention the exact number, although he did say that the training for the force is systematic. Polanco Gomez warned that many police officers have been discharged due to improper actions and that these measures would not
He attributed the beating of a medical student in Mao to a lack of professionalism and proper training, and ordered the immediate suspension of five agents involved in the incident. He stated that many policemen want to be colonels, generals and even chiefs, without having served as lieutenants, majors and captains beforehand. "
THESE SAME SO-CALLED POLICE BRING THEIR OWN CRIME WAVE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
YEAH SURE THEY SHOULD DO THIS...LOL
IF THEY HAPPEN TO GET THE WRONG MOTO CONCHO GUY THAT COULD BE THE END OF ONES LIFE.....
THEYR ARE ALL NOT GOOD GUYS U KNOW.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I do not agree with much in the article , I used to travel in India during the 1960s and 1970s where there are
LOOKS LIKE THIS MR. RICKY GUY HAS TRAVEL THE WORLD NOT MANY OR ANY HE DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT, BUT I WONDER IF HE GETS HIS INFO. ON GOOGLE OR HE HAS BEEN THERE??? VERY STRANGE MR RICKY.
NOW MR. RICKY SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS?
GIVE DECENT PEOPLE A FIGHTING CHANCE GUY.
YOUR TAKING A BIG CHANCE IF U LEAVE THE HOTEL GROUNDS.
DOMINICANS THE HONEST HARD WORKING ONES IN MOST CITYS ARE SCARED TO GO AT OF THEIR HOMES.
U KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SCARED OF? THEIR OWN POLICE AND ARMY WHO BRING THEIR OWN CRIME WAVE TO THIS COUNTRY FULL OF TRASH AND CROOKS.
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Puerto Plata and the north coast looks much better"
That's right xwill7. Sosua is a prime example. It is a nice town to get out of the AI and to visit. It has shopping, restaurants, bars and beaches. Now, with the recently opend Parque Mirador, they have concerts there at night sometimes, and you can access the beach below.
Would like to see more people get out of the AI's in Playa Dorada and visit the city of Puerto Plata. I visited POP in July and really liked it.
From: United States, California
I will never forget the time when Leonel and his army of thugs dressed in uniform of brutality came to Sosua and destroyed 100s of Casetas belonging to the hard working people of Sosua. Those of you who are from Sosua should remember this horrible moment; I think it happened in 1997"
Tourism almost died in Sosua because of that and so from what I have read about the history of Sosua the government allowed them to re-open and and tourism boomed again in the Su.
I go to Sosua 3 or 4 times a year and tourism is down a little, but I think that has more to do with the lower world economy.
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
just give a moto concho a few bucks and follow him if you are lost
YEAH SURE THEY SHOULD DO THIS...LOL
IF THEY HAPPEN TO GET THE WRONG MOTO CONCHO GUY THAT COULD BE THE END OF ONES LIFE.....
THEYR ARE ALL NOT GOOD GUYS U KNOW."
LMAO.
I have to agree with danny00 on this one, LOL.
This is a huge problem. I see them all the time roaming the streets in huge numbers like freaking goose.
I mean it's not their fault, they're just trying to survive, it's our good for nothing authority that allow them in.
Trujillo was a bad man, but we the kind of politician we put in power, he looks better and better every day.
i don't know where you live or lived in the DR but, here in Cabarete, I walk back and forth to work at all hours of the day and night without any problems. before this, i walked around Bonao for 11 years--from 1993 to 2004 without a problem as well. all my friends here, including mostly ex-pats take motoconchos on a daily basis. i can count on one hand how many of them have had problems. And most of these problems are directly related to alcohol. in every case where there has been a problem, it was directly related to a person being drunk and the motoconcho trying to take advantage of the situation. as for the bar i work at, never had a single problem 4.5 years running...no fights, no pushing matches, etc. however, further down the beach at the 3am nightclubs, they have several problems, big problems. Why? Always alcohol related. In other words, crime seems to find those most vulnerable (Extremely drunk people) much more than people who just go about their...
Unfortunately this happened a lot in the DR.
Where????
In places nobody walks!!! LOL This seems to be the case here. Well intentioned actions that are not at all thought out! The hoteliers are indeed correct that for most, walking off the resort is a challenge...not because of the people, but the lack of sidewalks and lighting. Add to that the 30 motoconchos per corner, all calling to you...even though you are holding car keys and unlocking your door...lol.
Mrs Riu is a bit off the mark, as both of her efforts in the DR are not located centrally and require a pricy cab ride to get anywhere.
con't....
One thing I have often thought would be a good idea, is a "tourist trolley" that runs a regular route. Have to be a guest of the resort to get on. This could ferry guests to the ever increasing number of restaurants and venues that make up Bavaro/Punta Cana. Of course as long as we have cab unions, this is not about to happen. Love it when my wife (Dominican) takes a cab to the bus station from Cocotal and it costs her 100 pesos...and when I do...it is $15.00. I see the cabs lined up outside the resorts...all of them wondering why they have so little business. It all comes down to price!
Another issue....roaming vendor nights on the resorts. Find one review on trip advisor where someone says "they like this opportunity". Most will talk of aggressive tactics and rudeness. Resorts could cut back on this annoyance...but they won't, as these guys have to pay to be there.
i only wish there would be an investment in a train that leave santo domingo, to Boca Chica, Guayacane, San Pedro de Macorix, La Romana, Casa de Campo. Higuey, Bavaro and final destination Punta Cana All Onboard
1) I love DR
2) I found that it takes a certain mindset to foster foresight. I didn't see much of it when I was there. Those who are well educated or have travelled to other countries use it for their benefit but have no desire to teach others how it works. The Dominican plan of action seems to be Shoot!, Ready!, Aim! The attitude is to get started as soon as possible, get it done, and worry about the problems we've caused later. This is especially true when payment is expected at the end of the job. I don't know how many times I showed detailed plans to someone who told me they understood what I wanted and proceeded to build something totally different, not to my specs and without regard to future operations.
i love what some have said here. Education is the key. That and the realization that it (DR) is one of God's most beautiful locations on earth
2) I found that it takes a certain mindset to foster foresight. I didn't see much of it when I was there. Those who are well educated or have travelled to other countries use it for their benefit but have no desire to teach others how it work
the critical thing i notice about some people here is that you cannot tell them anything. they know it all, and you just waste your time. if you have a basic knowledge of something, and you see someone trying to do it the wrong way, leave him alone, and do not frustrate yoursself trying to teach him the proper approach. you will just end up pulling out your hair.
I respectively disagree with your assessment. but i'm not for opening up the borders & allowing Haitians to flow in at will. however, at least here on the North Coast, the haitians are anything but a a hindrance; they're here to work, and work hard they do. in fact, they're doing all the hard labour jobs that no one else seems to want, and certainly not for the amount of money being paid. And again, it's been my experience that the Tigres are strictly Dominican, and the worst Tigres are the ones who have been deported back home and have gotten used to a life of crime in the U.S. These are the ones you have to especially look out for; these are the ones who are able to speak fluent english with the tourists and play the charlatan, the Sanky, the sneeky friend. the Haitians...they're just here to work their asses off in construction or anything else they can find. I work at a popular restaurant/bar and never had one single problem with a Haitian. and again, i'm Dominican.