First Lady Presents Responsible Tourism Program at Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange 2009

First Lady Presents Responsible Tourism Program at Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange 2009

Dominican First Lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, presented the Responsible Tourism Program to tour operators and tour companies participating in the 10th edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), held in the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center. The goal of the First Lady’s project is to strengthen the positive aspects of tourism as well as the social and environmental support generated by tourists who visit the country.

Throughout the presentation, Mrs. Cedeño de Fernández said that thanks to the efforts being made by the hotel sector, tourism in the Dominican Republic has been changing and that each day there are more visitors seeking to become acquainted with and exchange contact with the people, visiting historic places, learning and respecting the local culture in addition to maintaining a sustainable environment.

“For that reason, we want to work together with you to promote Corporate Social Responsibility, to bring about an integration of the country’s tourism industry with social, economic and environmental development of the tourism destinations. In addition, the utilities that generate tourism activity will have added value such as the promotion of well-being of the local population and the conservation of the environment,” said Dr. Cedeño de Fernández.

She explained to the meeting that getting involved in this process does not mean that the sector will have to pay new taxes, nor will it receive a petition for contributions or donations but rather it is a way to develop sustainable tourism by seeking visitors and tourists to maintain to respect local values and culture by participating in the improvement of the destination they are visiting.

The First Lady said that tourism can and should be a dynamic force for the local economy in addition to becoming a mechanism for intercultural dialogue between people. It can also provide an opportunity to express respect and value for the heritage of each nation which can be sources of progress and contributions to the development of sustainable tourism through respect and solidarity.

“In a wider sense, responsible and equitable tourism shares the benefits generated by tourist activities with people and destinations; it also attracts visitors who not only enjoy their stays but also get to know the culture and situations of the local people,” Ceño de Fernández pointed out.

She said her personal commitment and the Office she directs, involves promoting development – jointly with the tourism sector – and providing new offers that respond to the growing demand of visitors who seek to become familiar with and support the local population of places they’re visiting. As such, these types of tourists can take vacations that express solidarity and participation while forming links of friendship with local people, hence will want to come back.

The project was presented by Mr. Antoni Gutiérrez Rubi, consultant, strategist and communications specialist, at the meeting with representatives from the hotels sector. Those present at the meeting included Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García; Haidée Kuret de Rainieri, president of Asonahores, tour operators and members of the national and international press.