First Group of Tourism Police Specializing in Culture and History of Colonial City Graduates

“We can only protect and love that which we know and value.” Japonesa Capellán, director of the Cultural Patrimony for the Ministry of Culture (SEC) made this succinct comment when referring to the vision of the “Cultural Training Program for Tourism Agents Assigned to Historical Centers Around the Country,” whose first group of trainees graduated today in a moving ceremony in the Capilla de los Remedios neighborhood.

“We can only protect and love that which we know and value.” Japonesa Capellán, director of the Cultural Patrimony for the Ministry of Culture (SEC)

Thanks to this joint initiative of the Tourism Ministry (SECTUR) and the Culture Ministry, 26 agents of the Tourism Police (POLITUR) will patrol the streets of Colonial City armed with cultural and historical knowledge, city maps, communication, great attitude, courteous ways and other crucial elements to be considered when taking into account the safety of tourists.

The training involved technicians and experts from the government as well as from among renowned experts such as communications expert Ellis Pérez.

Following this first phase, the program will be extended to all the active tourism sectors of the colonial zone (merchants, neighborhood groups), said Iris Pérez, deputy minister for Tourism Training, while giving the main speech of the ceremony. Also in attendance was Culture Minister José Rafael Lantigua, POLITUR Director, General Henry Gómez Bueno and other personalities.

Ms. Pérez explained that the training courses havethe full backing of Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García as does the goal of “giving the POLITUR the knowledge that allows them to strengthen their dedication and respect for the cultural aspects of the country and to offer proper orientation” to visitors and tourists.

Culture: A Complement of Tourism

The graduation ceremony coincided with the commemoration of the Day of National Patrimony which takes place yearly on December 10th.

Lourdes Camilo, Deputy Minister of Cultural Patrimony of the SEC stressed the important role this type of training will play these days as cultural tourism becomes an important complement to the general tourism offering of the country.

She stressed that when visitors come into contact with local people or agents in the tourism areas, it is that perception or impression that often determines his or her predilection for one place or another.

Other countries and organizations use the program as a model to follow

Ms. Capellán, an architect, said the program has aroused the interest of other organizations involved in security in the colonial area as well as directors of museums from other countries who see the program as a model initiative to follow.

At the end of the ceremony, each agent received a graduation certificate, an insignia with the SECTUR and SEC logos on it, and a parchment with the sworn oath of the agents´ investiture.

In the name of the newly-sworn-in POLITUR agents, Sargent Francisco Dolores Marrero thanked the appropriate organizations for the opportunity to increase their knowledge.

Other personalities present at the event included POLITUR Coronel Rafael Sosa, in charge of the Colonial Zone; Xiomara Espaillat, representing the National District syndicate leader Roberto Salcedo and Edda Grullón, Director of the Monumental Patrimony. There were also representatives of the Tourism Cluster of Santo Domingo and Neighborhood Juntas of Colonial City.

At the beginning and end of the ceremony, children from the Children´s Choral group of the Colonial Zone sang the national anthem, Christmas carols and other songs that received a great deal of applause as the music elevated the already joyous event.

Carlos Eduardo Frías receives his graduation certificate from Culture Minister José Rafael Lantigua. At his side is Iris Pérez, Deputy Minister of Tourism Training.

Laura Herminia Rosario Ortiz receives her graduation certificate from Culture Minister José Rafael Lantigua as Deputy Tourism Minister Iris Pérez looks on.