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As the unifying entity for the main institutions in the province of Puerto Plata that are involved in or impacted by tourism and cultural activities, it channels efforts and resources to turn identified challenges into business actions and public interventions. These efforts aim to ensure the establishment of sustainable tourism that promotes the comprehensive development of the entire province. Therefore, the Cluster’s objective is “To make tourism in Puerto Plata a profitable and sustainable economic activity to attract a greater flow of visitors to the destination.”
In 2002, there was a significant decline in the number of tourists visiting Puerto Plata, causing widespread concern among national authorities, the private sector, and international cooperation agencies. In response, and at the request of the Puerto Plata Hotel Association – now Ashonorte – the National Competitiveness Council secured support from USAID to create a development tool in this region. This tool aimed to strengthen the recovery of the destination by enhancing the global production chain and developing effective democratic partnerships between the public and private sectors. This initiative marked the origin of the Cluster.
The first phase of its development involved specific actions to transfer valuable information to private stakeholders about democratic associations, corporate social responsibility, transparency, and more. This phase lasted nearly two years, as it was necessary to break away from the local tradition of presidentialism and the prominence of individual actors.
Real community work began in 2005 with the selection of an executive director and the development of specific programs aimed at achieving the stated goal.
It is important to highlight that over the years, the Cluster has gained significant institutional recognition from national authorities and international organizations. As a result, the institution has been chosen to develop ambitious projects by the IDB, USAID, and the CDDT.
Currently, the institution has a membership that includes all associations and companies related to the region’s tourism sector, representing an exceptional private alliance nationwide. Additionally, it is in an advanced stage of establishing a public-private partnership, supported and led by the President of the Republic, Lic. Danilo Medina. This partnership is seen as the ideal development tool to achieve the proposed goal of sustained growth, aiming for the country to receive 10 million visitors over the next 10 years. The Cluster is committed to making its best efforts to contribute to this national goal.
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