BID Earmarks $1.8 Million for Program in the Dominican Republic

The Inter-American Development Bank has made available $1.3 million for the development of environmental and community programs by the Bayahibe and La Romana Hotels Association.

The three-year donation requires $535,000 counterpart funding from the Association, for a total program of $1.8 million. The plan is to support sustainable tourism in the area, back best practices and small and promote the integration of midsized business into the tourism sector.

The Bayahibe Hotels Association considers the granting of blue flag certification for Dominicus beach as a major achievement. Other achievements include the creation of the Guadalupe underwater park, preserving Bayahibe´s local traditions, research into the conservation of the National Park of the East, and the relocation of dwellers from water sources in the area to a new community area.

At present, the director of the Association, Lisette Gil is a very vocal member of the Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas, challenging interests of the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Public Works to bring hotel construction into areas of the National Park of the East.