LONDON.- National Hotels and Restaurants Association (Asonahores) president Haydée Kuret yesterday denounced that the lack of security, negligence and prostitution in the area of Santo Domingo’s seaside boulevard Malecon places tourists at risk, and makes an urgent call to the tourism sector, the City Council and the Police to control the situation.
"We’re trying to meet with the Tourism Minister, the Mayor of the National District and the Police Chief because the zone of the Malecon needs more security, as prostitution and robberies also occur in that area; the sidewalks have holes, the tourists don’t feel safe to walk and there’s no light," she said in the World Travel Market being held until tomorrow in the British capital.
She said the Malecon is one of the Capital’s centric and important zones but needs lighting since vacationers only go to safe places.
She noted that the country will host the event "Santo Domingo, Capital of Culture" in 2010, for which its quality needs to be guaranteed. “I also want to make an official call to the City Council to please meet with us and we can work together, to the Police Chief, because we need that area to better manage it because it’s a great attraction."
Kuret said her sector is ready to collaborate because thousands of tourists visit the zone’s five major hotels and restaurants.
Positive year for tourism
The top hotelier affirmed that the Dominican tourism industry is very well positioned, since the year will close with a positive index, but cautioned that the hotel sector had losses since it had to lower its room rates as much as 30% to be competitive. “Next year’s perspective, God willing, is that the rate will stabilize, assuming is that it’s for 2013 when the rates are going to be very good, and we expect a good winter this year."
Kuret also requested a lower Itebis tax for hotels and restaurants, to remain their tourism competition in the region.
SOURCE: diariolibre.com
From: United States, Faber College Double Secret Probation
Haydée Kuret for President .....she has a vision of how this country should be perceived and I like it ..the Malecon and the Colonial city are so close to each other and both of them have to be made safe for a god positive image to be established
From: United States, Faber College Double Secret Probation
OK Josean you can start whining and complaining about the exploiters and the metro etc etc
Written by: Jander, 11 Nov 2009 11:38 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Here is thought
Red light bulbs for the street lamps to light up Santo Domingos "Red light District"
Market it as a tourist attraction.
Just kidding of course as some may think I am serious..
Written by: xwill7, 11 Nov 2009 11:43 AM
From: United States, Chicago
you have to be in a large group in order to walk around this area or carry a weapon. when they take that shady feeling away more tourists will come
Written by: mrweepa1, 11 Nov 2009 12:18 PM
From: United States, Huntington Station NY. Juan Dolio DR.
Let the girls make there money but clean up the robberies. Broken public sidewalks are very bad for people and is not good for the image of Dominican Republic.
Written by: telemeco, 11 Nov 2009 1:31 PM
From: United States, Paterson, New Jersey
But the RED LIGHT DISTRICT is by the city of love in the zona oriental,,,,i agree with the post, you cant even sit on the bench without somebody come to harrazed with i car wash your car, you want candy, fritura or some idiot asking for money,,they should make so you can walk safey or go jogging with lot of lighting
Written by: bienamor, 11 Nov 2009 2:23 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Stay off Pastur and don't go down as far as the Isla station and you won't have any problems, most of the sidewalk has been fixed. an not much past Gomez any way. Walk from the Nepolitano to the Juarga all the time never feel threatened
Written by: xwill7, 11 Nov 2009 3:27 PM
From: United States, Chicago
bien,
when you come from USA or Euro, you get more attention. Walk anywhere in DR and everyone checks you out.
From: United States, Faber College Double Secret Probation
especially if you are dressed in a clown suit like abc big shoes and all abcrusty the clown
Written by: ateo1992 
, 11 Nov 2009 5:15 PM
From: Dominican Republic
is so embarrassing to hear this, those people suppose to "manage" the infrastructure, safety and environment of a important area of the city are a bunch of old corrupt lazy asses who don't know how to pay attention to details, very important details!
Written by: lovingit, 11 Nov 2009 6:18 PM
From: United States, Delaware
telemeco,
these people that ask for a car wash, offer frituras, drinks (pretty much become your gophers) for the night, are just people trying to make a living. Yes, this is not what you will called a traditional job, but when traditional jobs are not available, people have to make a living somehow, and I rather have a gopher than a robber. I visited the DR this past July and brought along some Polish friends that live in the US. We went to El Malecon and we used the services of one of these gophers in more than one visits to el Malecon. Not at one point, neither did I nor them felt threatened by the gophers or anyone there. If another gopher came by, we politely and replied "someone is taking care of us" and it was left at that. Now, this was one of the parks in El Malecon were people hang out. If the robberies are occurring in other Malecon areas, were people just want to get their groove on in isolation, then I could see how that could happen anywhere there or anywhere in the wr
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
Some amazing statements in this release!! I would like to know the hotels where I can find a regular bed at 30% discount ..as a matter of fact the major hotels along the Malecon and in Zona Colonial have been very very busy when I have been trying to have a few nights in the capital and discounts have been none existant ,,I normally try the 2 Sofitels, Palacio and Hodelpe Caribe as they are clean and well positioned but they have been very busy as has the Inter continental ..so I think the truth may have been stretched here.
I assume she is only talking about el Malecon from the Puetro Rico terminal to say the Hilton but that is a very long way for a safety zone ..in any city ..so maybe she cannarrow it down a bit .
I can think of a lot of labels for Santo Domingo but Capital of Culture is not one that immediately springs to mind ..but maybe her view of culture is more expansive than mine
From: United States
They claim there's no lights on the Malecon....let's start with getting ELECTRICITY at night, then maybe the lights will work on the Malecon.
Written by: bayman46, 11 Nov 2009 10:10 PM
From: United States
i lived in santo domingo from 2004-2008. my oservation is you have to start with the " locals first", not just the police. i have never seen such a large population of people that through trash every where, even when they are close to a empty garbbage can. santo domingo could be a beautiful carribean city, if only the local people would take care of it, but sadly most of them have never had "anything" so they don't care.
over the year's, i have watched the el conde/colonial zone go from bad to worse(buildings abandoned & falling apart,over priced junk stores and smelly and dirty side walks, sometimes crowded with sick dogs ane derelict people). i have seen many buses drop off tours to shop, only to watch them get right back on the bus.
if san juan p.r. spent millions on old san juan ,why can't santo domingo on the malecon / el conde
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
bayman46 I totally agree with you...littering seems to be a domincan pastime and el Conde has gone down in appearance in recent years..ona colonial ,nueva ciudad and parts of gazcue are delightful areas as is most of Ave Independencia and El Malecon but at present it looks grubby and maltreated
From: United States, Faber College Double Secret Probation
I used to live in San Juan and now live in the CZ they are apples and volkswagens old SJ has profoundly many more tourists {Cruise Ships} and a much more established tourist area ie quality shopping good restaurants no beggars and best of all no sleezy rip off tour guides ....That said the Colonial Zone has improved immensely in the past 12 years,,,,,, it has a long way to go
Written by: bayman46, 12 Nov 2009 3:49 PM
From: United States
What I don't understand is, why all this money is being spent on a " New Subway System", that is now having Budget and Power Corruption Problems. It seems more sensible to put money in the Tourist Business,Health Services and Educational needs, where it could really make a difference for the people.
There needs to be a change in priorities. Some Dominican has always had this taste for the HIGH CLASS, with out doing the home work to get you there, but they must realize that they to Crawl before they Walk. Meaning, take care of the COUNTRY'S BASICS NEEDS FIRST and than have a " Glass of Champagne".
.
Written by: xwill7, 12 Nov 2009 5:36 PM
From: United States, Chicago
bayman,
DR is overpopulated and just trying to get things done is a mission. too much traffic everywhere in SD and Santiago
Written by: bayman46, 12 Nov 2009 11:30 PM
From: United States
Did anyone know, that Santo Domingo is one of the most DANGEROUS " AIR POLLUTED" CITIES IN THE CARRIBEAN'S. All of that old bad gas they use in those run down cars. Not only is trash everywhere but the air is dirty. Not a good combination for TOURIST DOLLAS.
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Red light bulbs for the street lamps to light up Santo Domingos "Red light District"
Market it as a tourist attraction.
Just kidding of course as some may think I am serious..
But the RED LIGHT DISTRICT is by the city of love in the zona oriental,,,,i agree with the post, you cant even sit on the bench without somebody come to harrazed with i car wash your car, you want candy, fritura or some idiot asking for money,,they should make so you can walk safey or go jogging with lot of lighting
when you come from USA or Euro, you get more attention. Walk anywhere in DR and everyone checks you out.
these people that ask for a car wash, offer frituras, drinks (pretty much become your gophers) for the night, are just people trying to make a living. Yes, this is not what you will called a traditional job, but when traditional jobs are not available, people have to make a living somehow, and I rather have a gopher than a robber. I visited the DR this past July and brought along some Polish friends that live in the US. We went to El Malecon and we used the services of one of these gophers in more than one visits to el Malecon. Not at one point, neither did I nor them felt threatened by the gophers or anyone there. If another gopher came by, we politely and replied "someone is taking care of us" and it was left at that. Now, this was one of the parks in El Malecon were people hang out. If the robberies are occurring in other Malecon areas, were people just want to get their groove on in isolation, then I could see how that could happen anywhere there or anywhere in the wr
I assume she is only talking about el Malecon from the Puetro Rico terminal to say the Hilton but that is a very long way for a safety zone ..in any city ..so maybe she cannarrow it down a bit .
I can think of a lot of labels for Santo Domingo but Capital of Culture is not one that immediately springs to mind ..but maybe her view of culture is more expansive than mine
over the year's, i have watched the el conde/colonial zone go from bad to worse(buildings abandoned & falling apart,over priced junk stores and smelly and dirty side walks, sometimes crowded with sick dogs ane derelict people). i have seen many buses drop off tours to shop, only to watch them get right back on the bus.
if san juan p.r. spent millions on old san juan ,why can't santo domingo on the malecon / el conde
There needs to be a change in priorities. Some Dominican has always had this taste for the HIGH CLASS, with out doing the home work to get you there, but they must realize that they to Crawl before they Walk. Meaning, take care of the COUNTRY'S BASICS NEEDS FIRST and than have a " Glass of Champagne".
.
DR is overpopulated and just trying to get things done is a mission. too much traffic everywhere in SD and Santiago