Tourism Ministry takes over San Francisco ruins restoration project

Tourism Ministry takes over San Francisco ruins restoration project Santo Domingo.- Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García has taken personal charge of the project to restore and adapt the Ruins of the San Francisco Convent in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. In its early stages, this proposal was met with widespread rejection. Maribel Villalona, director of Tourism Promotion for the Colonial City, a program that consists of a series of projects in the first city in the New World, said that the Ministry was managing the “Project for Restoration and Conservation of the Ruins of San Francisco”. Since the project was first announced, architect Villalona has faced criticism from civil society, including bodies like the International Council for Monuments and Sites, the Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences and the National District Council. Villalona said that the ministry had decided to take on the project «due to the variables involved that exceed the technical considerations.» When asked about the process of dialogue between the ministry of Tourism and the sectors involved in the colonial-era structure, and the Colonial Zone in general, which has been declared a world heritage site, she said that the results of the forum were being processed. “It appears that everyone is awaiting the next step. The Tourism Ministry, up until recently, was waiting for opinions,” she stated. According to Villalona, during the debate on the feasibility of restoring the Ruins of San Francisco, each university has presented a different proposal, which has made it even more interesting. She added that the process would take time. The architectural design presented by Rafael Moneo has not been welcomed by some sectors, which claim that if implemented, it would distort the ruins. DominicanToday.com – Tourism News

Tourism Ministry takes over San Francisco ruins restoration issue

Tourism Ministry takes over San Francisco ruins restoration issue Santo Domingo.- Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García has taken personal charge of the project to restore and adapt the Ruins of the San Francisco Convent in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. In its early stages, this proposal was met with widespread rejection. Maribel Villalona, director of Tourism Promotion for the Colonial City, a program that consists of a series of projects in the first city in the New World, said that the Ministry was managing the “Project for Restoration and Conservation of the Ruins of San Francisco”. Since the project was first announced, architect Villalona has faced criticism from civil society, including bodies like the International Council for Monuments and Sites, the Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences and the National District Council. Villalona said that the ministry had decided to take on the project «due to the variables involved that exceed the technical considerations.» When asked about the process of dialogue between the ministry of Tourism and the sectors involved in the colonial-era structure, and the Colonial Zone in general, which has been declared a world heritage site, she said that the results of the forum were being processed. “It appears that everyone is awaiting the next step. The Tourism Ministry, up until recently, was waiting for opinions,” she stated. According to Villalona, during the debate on the feasibility of restoring the Ruins of San Francisco, each university has presented a different proposal, which has made it even more interesting. She added that the process would take time. The architectural design presented by Rafael Moneo has not been welcomed by some sectors, which claim that if implemented, it would distort the ruins. DominicanToday.com – Tourism News

Dominican Republic’s economic future is in tourism: Minister

Dominican Republic’s economic future is in tourism: Minister Santo Domingo.– The tourism industry has seen steady growth over the three years of President Danilo Medina’s administration, providing the economy with more than 16 billion dollars, which exceeds the nation’s current budget this year, Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia said. According to the official, tourism is at its best, thanks to the support the sector has received from President Danilo Medina. «No one is more aware than him of what this sector represents to the country’s development,» Garcia pointed out. He recalled that the Tourism Ministry has strengthened its international promotion in order to guarantee the arrival of more foreign visitors who choose the Dominican Republic as their favorite destination. «The country’s economic future is in tourism, a sector that is now at its best,» stressed Francisco Javier Garcia. DominicanToday.com – Tourism News

Dominican official slams the door on bauxite mine as tourism waits

Dominican official slams the door on bauxite mine as tourism waits Santo Domingo.-   Energy and Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde on  Wednesday defended Government´s strategy to develop Pedernales (southwest), replacing bauxite mining with a comprehensive economic and social plan which protects the environment, in an area  with the most eco-tourism attractions. He said the project will start in the coming months with actions to remediate the environment and construction of infrastructure requiring a massive number of workers with more than mining had provided thus far.»We´re committed to sustainable employment.» He said it’s more rational a brief, short-term sacrifice to maintain an activity that entails serious environmental consequences in the medium and long term for the quality of life of present and future generations. «This decision is above individual interests and focuses on the interests of the country and a population that must keep living beyond when bauxite is exhausted,» Isa Conde said on Panorama, Fidelity radio. When asked why the miner Dovemco wasn’t allowed to extract bauxite during the next 18 months, the official said the government’s plan has a timetable that should not vary for «individual interests.» DominicanToday.com – Tourism News

A Puerto Plata waited 35 years to resume agro, tourism fair

A Puerto Plata waited 35 years to resume agro, tourism fair After 35 years, Puerto Plata resumes agro-tourism bash Puerto Plata. – After 35 years since the last event president Danilo Medina on Wednesday inaugurated the third North Region Agricultural and Tourism Fair, aimed at promoting the untapped the potential of the area’s cities. The activity that’ll conclude Sunday began at 4pm at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Park, where Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce president Sixto Peralta stressed the need to fix the region’s roads. He said the Puerto Plata-Navarrete highway must be widened to four lanes while the Gregorio Luperon panoramic route from Santiago requires repairs. «For this, we are working with all social organizations of Puerto Plata, for a public-private investment,” the business leader said, adding the State must invest on the road, “so fundamental to develop this area’s tourism.” DominicanToday.com – Tourism News

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