The Dominican Republic is ready to receive tourists due to its protocol, security and health infrastructure, considered the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili.
Zurab, who has chosen the country for his first family vacation since the pandemic began, paid a courtesy visit on his last day to President Luis Abinader on Wednesday morning.
At the end of the meeting, which was held privately and was attended by Minister of Tourism David Collado, the Secretary stated that the country is an example in the world of how tourism can be managed with responsible protocols during COVID -19, international tourists with medical security.
He considered Abinader to be the president with some of the best ideas he has seen in recent years to drive tourism, attract more tourists, invest, create new destinations and generate more jobs.
“There is no better place to invest than this paradise. A legally secure country with a government motivated to carry out interesting, creative, modern and sustainable projects, “Pololikashvili said.
He congratulated the Dominican government on the way it has managed tourism, after acknowledging that it is not easy to maintain a balance between health and the economy.
Among the qualities of choosing the Republic, he appreciated history, culture and, above all, for safety.
“We have seen with our own eyes that it is a safe country, that it respects all the protocols in the world that are necessary in these rare and difficult times”, added the UNWTO leader.
During his stay in the country, he said that due to the rigorous health protocols he managed to confirm that it is safer than being at home or going to the supermarket.
In addition, he highlighted the beauty and hospitality of the Dominican Republic since his arrival in Punta Cana.
He understands that travel is possible in a responsible way and that not traveling is not the solution to avoid the pandemic, which is why he urged to travel and enjoy the world.
He stressed that in the history of tourism there is no crisis as intense as the one caused by COVID-19.
The Dominican Republic, thanks to its successful experience in managing COVID-19, can be used to organize a summit of leaders in the region to host good practices that promote tourism.
Collado stressed “that the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization chooses this destination, it is another award that we do things differently and very well.”
Collado stressed that the Abinader government is working hand in hand with international organizations and the private sector, which is why confidence in tourism has recovered.
He said that in February, which is marked by a decrease in tourist visits, will end with over 100,000 visitors, indicating that tourism is growing steadily.
All decisions taken by the Dominican government, he added, take into account tourism as the country’s main industry, which accounts for 15% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Also, due to the importance that approximately 500,000 Dominicans live from this activity and that the crisis has affected an entire chain that includes small travel agencies and tour operators.
Among the measures taken by the country, Collado cited insurance to cover COVID-19, being a pioneer in this initiative.
Also, the incentive of domestic tourism allowed almost 100,000 employees to regain their jobs in the various hotel complexes in the country.
Collado pointed out that in random tests performed at all Dominican airports and in hotels with antigen tests for the North American market, the positivity rate does not exceed 1.20%, so tourism does not represent a risk of increasing contagion.
Pololikashvil was accompanied by his son Nikoloz Pololikashvili; Bernardo Castillo, Adviser to the Spanish Minister of Transport and George Shamdze.