Puerto Plata.– The Punta Bergantín tourism development project could generate 6 to 9 total jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) per hotel room, during its initial construction and development phase between 7,000 and 11,000 direct annual jobs, between the years 2025 and 2030, mainly benefiting the residents of Villa Montellano.
This is estimated by the study “Economic impact of the operations of the Punta Bergantín Project in the municipality of Villa Montellano, Puerto Plata”, prepared by consultants and professors from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC).
The research was presented by Punta Bergantín and INTEC as a tool to understand the socioeconomic reality of the municipality, listen to the voice of the community, and identify the opportunities and challenges that accompany the project’s development.
The study also analyzes the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of Punta Bergantín, quantifies the positive externalities and challenges associated with its implementation, evaluates its influence on the tourism value chain and local productive dynamics, and measures its impact on employment, household income, business activity, and the municipality’s economy.
Andrés Marranzini, executive director of Punta Bergantín, stated: “the project will positively impact the increase in local consumption, the expansion of retail trade and personal services, the revitalization of transport, logistics, the growth of the real estate sector, and the stimulation of productive linkages with agricultural, fishing, and manufacturing suppliers“.
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The study projects that the development of the project will drive significant economic dynamism in Villa Montellano. Among its main findings, it estimates a growth of between 25% and 30% in local commerce and service sales, and an increase of between 14% and 17% in household income within the municipality as a result of the economic activity linked to the project. Over the next decade, the project would generate over 200 million dollars in total value added annually.
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According to projections, 1,347 people with specialized profiles could be incorporated from the current stage of the project; within a period of six months, about 2,153 people with moderate training would have employment possibilities; in 18 months, the figure would rise to 3,709 people and, in a 36-month horizon, up to 8,187 residents could benefit from the job opportunities generated.
In that sense, Punta Bergantín reiterated that it will prioritize hiring residents of Villa Montellano before resorting to external labor. In parallel, it is developing training programs in languages, technical skills, and tourism, in addition to initiatives aimed at strengthening the capabilities of local businesses, restaurants, artisans, and other entrepreneurs to facilitate their incorporation as suppliers for the project.
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The report also reveals a high level of interest from local business owners in integrating into the Punta Bergantín value chain. 71.7% of the business owners surveyed expressed their willingness to become suppliers for the project, highlighting the opportunities that the tourism development represents for companies in the area.
In addition to the economic impact, the research identifies opportunities to strengthen road infrastructure and community services, establish permanent communication channels to keep the population informed about the project’s progress, and preserve the cultural identity of Villa Montellano throughout the transformation process.
For the preparation of the study, interviews were conducted with 322 families, 92 businesses, and 15 community leaders, complemented by official information from the National Statistics Office (ONE), the Single System of Beneficiaries (SIUBEN), the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), and the Ministry of Finance, which were used along with WTTC data to perform econometric estimates for medium-term projections (and scenarios) regarding employment, value added, and other variables of interest
Juan Carlos López Pérez, professor and researcher at INTEC, stated: “Our study shows and analyzes the various facets in which the Punta Bergantín project would impact the community of Villa Montellano, from an economic as well as a social point of view. The results demonstrate which positive effects will materialize from the execution of the project, resulting in benefits and improvement for the residents of the municipality and the entire province.
This research is part of Punta Bergantín’s commitment to transparency and the generation of objective information regarding the effects of its operations, contributing to the planning, sustainability, and economic development of Villa Montellano. The results will serve as input for decision-making by the various stakeholders in the territory and to strengthen a tourism and investment model that promotes shared benefits for the community.
