SANTO DOMINGO. – The senator for La Altagracia, Rafael Barón Duluc, supported this Wednesday the bill for the incentive of nautical maritime tourism and warned that the Dominican Republic has failed to receive billions of dollars for not having legislation that facilitates the arrival and operation of private tourist vessels.
During his speech at the Senate session, Duluc joined the call previously made by the senator from Puerto Plata, Ginnette Bournigal, who requested that the initiative, which has been under discussion in the National Congress for several years, be advanced.
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“It is a shame that we have spent so many years in this country talking about the same thing,” stated Duluc when referring to the delay of the nautical tourism project.
The senator questioned that, despite being an activity with the potential to generate jobs, foreign currency, and investments, the Dominican Republic has not yet approved legislation that establishes incentives and facilities for nautical tourism.
He stated that other Caribbean islands have taken advantage of this nautical tourism market by providing facilities for private boat owners, while the country continues to face obstacles that discourage their arrival.
“All these islands that surround us receive billions of dollars for the facilities they have for private tourist vessels and we, an island, are failing to receive all those benefits,” he maintained.
Duluc also rejected the arguments of those who have questioned the initiative under the premise that it would exclusively benefit high-income individuals.
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The legislator argued that tourism incentives have been a fundamental tool for the growth of the Dominican industry and recalled that the country’s hotel development has also been linked to incentive policies.
“I hope that the legislators who are listening to voices out there saying that this is for the rich understand that just as this country has grown because of tourism, it has been precisely because of the tourism incentives that we have as a country,” he expressed.
“It is one of the most productive types of tourism”
The senator for La Altagracia highlighted the economic impact that owners of yachts, sailboats, and other vessels can generate when they remain in Dominican territory.
He explained that those who arrive in the country on this type of vessel not only use the marinas, but also spend money in supermarkets, restaurants, fuel, maintenance services, and other establishments.
“Those people shop at supermarkets, pay people, invest, spend,” he pointed out.
For Duluc, this type of visitor represents an opportunity that the country is not yet taking full advantage of.
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“It is one of the most productive types of tourism for society,” he stated.
The legislator maintained that the Dominican Republic, due to its geographical condition, has natural advantages to develop nautical tourism and compete with other Caribbean destinations that have already created favorable conditions to attract private vessels.
Support for the Bournigal initiative
Duluc’s statements came after Senator Ginnette Bournigal requested during the same session that the nautical tourism incentive bill be resumed.
Bournigal expressed her indignation at how long the initiative has been in Congress and assured that the country is losing significant revenue due to the lack of approval of the legislation.
The senator argued that the project will allow for the regulation of the activity and facilitate the processes for those who wish to register and operate motorboats and sailboats in Dominican territory.
Duluc used his turn to publicly express his support for the proposal.
“All our support for that bill. Hopefully it will be approved,” he/she expressed.
The project has been under discussion for several years and contemplates establishing a legal framework to regulate recreational nautical tourism, including aspects related to vessel registration, permits, navigation, and incentive mechanisms.
Its promoters have maintained that the approval of the legislation would allow for attracting new investments and turning the Dominican Republic into a more competitive destination for owners of yachts, sailboats, and other recreational vessels.
Duluc’s support thus adds to the pressure from other legislators for the initiative to advance in Congress, at a time when sectors linked to tourism have insisted on the need to diversify the Dominican tourism offering and take advantage of the potential of the country’s coasts.
For the senator of La Altagracia, the debate should not focus solely on who owns the vessels, but on the economic effect that this tourism segment generates in the communities and companies that offer services to visitors.
Their position coincides with that of the initiative’s promoters, who argue that nautical tourism can become an additional source of jobs, foreign currency, and investment for the Dominican Republic.
