The Dominican Republic is ready to receive tourists for its sanitary protocol, security and infrastructure, is considered the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili.
Zurab, who chose the country for his first family vacation since the start of the pandemic, paid a courtesy visit to President Luis Abinader on his last day on Wednesday morning.
At the end of the meeting, which was held in private and attended by the Minister of Tourism David Collado, the Secretary confirmed that the country is an example in the world of how tourism can be managed with responsible protocols in the time of COVID -19, managed to attract international tourists with health security.
He believed Abinader is the president with some of the best ideas he has seen in recent years to lead tourism, attract more tourists, make investments, create new destinations and create more jobs.
“There is no better place to invest than this paradise. A legally safe country, with a government that is motivated to implement interesting, creative, modern and sustainable projects, ”said Pololikashvili.
He congratulated the Dominican government for the way it has managed tourism, after acknowledging that it is not easy to maintain a balance between health and the economy.
As one of the qualities for choosing the Republic, he appreciated its history, culture and above all, security.
“We have seen with our own eyes that it is a safe country, that it complies with all the protocols in the world that are necessary in these rare and difficult times”, the UNWTO leader added.
While in the country, he said that the strict health protocols allowed him to confirm that it is safer than being home or going to the supermarket.
In addition, he emphasized the beauty and hospitality of the Dominican Republic since his arrival in Punta Cana.
He understands that traveling is possible in a responsible way and that not traveling is not the solution to avert the pandemic, which is why he urged to travel and enjoy the world.
He stressed that there is no crisis in the history of tourism as intense as the one caused by COVID-19.
The Dominican Republic, due to its successful experience in COVID-19 management, can be used to hold a summit of the region’s leaders to organize good practices promoting tourism.
Collado stressed “that the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization chooses this destination, it is yet another tribute that we are doing things differently and very well.”
Collado pointed out that Abinader’s government is working closely with international organizations and the private sector, restoring confidence in tourism.
He said that in February, which took shape with a drop in the number of tourists, they will end up with more than 100,000 visitors, indicating that tourism is booming.
All of the Dominican government’s decisions, he added, consider tourism to be the most important industry in the country, representing 15% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Also because of the importance that some 500,000 Dominicans make a living from this activity and that the crisis has affected an entire chain, including small travel agents and tour operators.
As one of the measures the country has taken, Collado cited insurance for COVID-19 coverage as a pioneer in this initiative.
Likewise, the boost from internal tourism has allowed nearly 100,000 workers to regain their jobs in the various hotel complexes in the country.
Collado emphasized that in the random tests conducted at all Dominican airports and, in hotels, with antigen testing for the North American market, the positivity rate does not exceed 1.20%, so tourism does not pose a risk of increasing contamination.
Pololikashvil was accompanied by his son Nikoloz Pololikashvili; Bernardo Castillo, Adviser to the Transport Minister of Spain and George Shamdze.