Entrepreneur and sustainability leader Felipe Beltrán presented the talk of the Community Sustainability and Waste Management Program “Samaná Circular and Las Galeras Sostenible”, an initiative aimed at protecting the province’s natural resources and strengthening a responsible tourism model in the region. The activity took place at Hacienda Bahía Samaná and brought together authorities, entrepreneurs, representatives of the tourism sector, community leaders, and social organizations committed to the sustainable development of the province. During the meeting, Beltrán explained that the tourism and population growth of Samaná and Las Galeras necessitates a new vision focused on environmental education, the circular economy, and the active participation of the communities. The program seeks to implement a comprehensive waste management model that allows transforming waste into economic opportunities, reducing pollution, and consolidating Samaná as a sustainable reference destination in the Caribbean. The initiative includes environmental education and awareness days in schools and communities, training for hotels, restaurants and businesses, recycling and plastic reduction campaigns, as well as the installation of community green points for the separation of waste such as plastic, glass, cardboard and metals. Likewise, the project promotes the circular economy by transforming waste into reusable products, boosting green entrepreneurship, and generating sustainable jobs for local residents. In tourism, the program includes environmental certifications for hotels and businesses, beach cleaning days, and ecosystem protection actions, with the aim of positioning Samaná internationally as a destination committed to sustainability. Among the personalities present were Nelson Núñez, mayor of Samaná; Eugenio Vargas, president of Grupo Telenord; Catalina Olea Salazar; Yino Román; and the director of the Educational District 14-04 Samaná, Adalberta Lucía Calcaño Maldonado. Representatives from the Dominican Environmental Consortium, Eco Bahía Foundation, La Churcha church, representatives of the Catholic church, journalists, members of Adompretur Samaná, Puerto Plata and Sosúa, as well as leaders of tourism and community associations from the province, also participated. The talk was organized by Fundación Rincon in coordination with Adompretur Samaná.
About Felipe Beltrán
Felipe Beltrán is a businessman and lecturer specializing in environmental sustainability, circular economy, and sustainable tourism, with over 15 years of experience developing environmental projects for hotels, industries, and tourist communities in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. He is currently CEO and founder of Ecoservices Dominicana, a pioneering company in recycling, comprehensive waste management, and environmental education applied to the tourism sector. In addition, he has led sustainability initiatives for hotel chains and social impact projects focused on community development and environmental education.
