|
Expert Alerts
The environment must be taken care of
to prevent the collapse of Tourism
Former Spanish Minister Recommends the Building
of a Different Image
 The
former Spanish Trade and Tourism Minister Javier Gómez-Navarra
warned of the urgent need to take care of the environment
in tourist poles, otherwise the industry could disappear.
The economist and industrial engineer came to our nation
at the invitation of Fundación Global Democracia y
Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) with the intent to partake in the panel
discussion on "Perspectives of Tourism in Light of the
Current World Situation."
During the activity, held this past June 4 at the new headquarters
of the nonprofit organization headed by Leonel Fernández,
Mr. Javier Gómez-Navarra stated that "there are
locations that have vanished from the tourist market due to
the overwhelming amount of garbage and liquid waste, which
constitutes a serious matter. This is more valid to an Island,
as it is ecologically more fragile. Not one more minute can
be wasted to come up with a solution." The expert highlighted,
for instance, the fact that the lack of a sewage system in
tourist areas is a "nonsense of such a serious nature
that the location is digging its own grave."
Therefore, he said, it is "imperative" for tourism
businessmen, particularly hoteliers, to have such a vision
as "travelers may change their destination."
 "The
time might come when the piles of garbage could become so
uncontainable, that any tourist who comes here to have fun,
and sees that, will leave," said Gómez-Navarra,
who on the other hand added, that the growth of tourism will
continue by a four, five or eight percent.
The former Spanish official is of the opinion that the important
thing here is to make a decision as to the position that the
nation is willing to occupy in the tourist industry and the
added value that it will provide to the market. "Being
different from the rest of nations that offer tourism to be
able to occupy a different position."
Otherwise, he made the remark, the competition will happen
at the lowest levels of demand. " An element that would
distinguish the tourist offer from the others must be found.
Tourism faces the challenge to build a different image, a
glamorous and appealing one, sustainable and on an equal footing
with relation to the rest of nations in the region. The tourist
activity locally must bear in mind that what draws tourists
to the Dominican Republic is its totally virgin beaches, sand
and sun, not the resorts."
He also favors the creation of a supplementary offer. "If
tourists do not find anything to do, such as fun places or
other activities to keep them busy, then they will not come
back."
For Spain's former Trade and Tourism Minister, the industry's
behavior for the last 10 years trended towards the same destinations,
with no identity that would differentiate them.
"The sole difference is prices, and in recent years
there has been a drastic drop of such factor for which there
is no alternative; unless a truly attractive image of the
destination is built, one that would allow the Dominican Republic
to be the first choice over others in spite of being more
expensive than any other places with similar conditions, on
the basis that there are elements that set the difference."
Other sector representatives present at the panel discussion
included, Frank Rainieri and his wife, Haydée Kuret,
of Punta Cana Group; Johnny Bernal and Arturo Villanueva,
president and executive vice president respectively of the
National Hotel and Restaurant Association (Asociación
Nacional de Hoteles y Restaurantes); Linette Arbaje and Armando
Cuello, from Arbaje Tour; Félix Jiménez, Former
Dominican Minister of Tourism; and Irving Redondo, from Casa
de Campo.
Also Julio Llibre, from Coral Group; Luis Simó, former
Dominican Assistant Secretary of Tourism; José Quintero,
from Hotel Jaragua, Lina Matos, Víctor Cabral and Alberto
del Pino.
SANTO DOMINGO, June 5, 2003
|
Envíelo