Santo Domingo.-  The strategy to launch Barahona as a tourist destination, for which all plans to develop the province were evaluated and cover around eight essential projects, prioritizes the reconstruction of the port as the key public space and gateway for tourism cruises to be promoted in that southwestern city.

Tourism Ministry Planning Dept. director Maribel Villalona, when the Maria Montez Seaboard project started, said talks havealready begun with cruise promoters whom at some time have shown interest in docking in Barahona and to attract to the province the sailors who dock only at Casa de Campo’s marina.

She noted that during the talks for the work part of the population suggested the construction of a tourism port next to the airport and negotiated with the Port Authority, but concluded that the location, in technical terms, wasn’t appropriate , in addition to that a large port is already being built at Neyba Bay.

"The idea is, that since the destination is starting the current port could have a mixed use so cruises can also come. Just a simple work would have to be done to visually block the industry from the docks assigned for cruise ships,” the official said, noting that the construction of a tourist terminal isnt necessary at this time on high costs, when there are other viable options.

"What’s important isnt just having a port, and instead that the destination is ready to receive tourists."