Huge boost for North coast!

[Chris]

I really don't know what will open the 'floodgates of American Tourism' and I don't know what is first, the A1's or the tourists?

As I understand, places like A1's in Cancun are promoted even before they are built. So, I think almost the fabric of the business environment has to change before the floodgates open?

And I also question whether tourism by itself is a 'sane' development plan. I think the DR has more to offer than just becoming another A1 paradise?

these are thoughts and ideas - and unfortunately I don't think they'll have any bearing on cleaning up Puerto Plata.
in this administration or the next...

Maybe some of the long-timers that experienced Puerto Plata when it was more vibrant could give some input?

[canadian bob]

Hi! Chris & other responders. The announcement I read was in the Listin Diario, May 9th pages 1 and 10. Three power plants are to be removed by the end of this year and the harbour port area is to be redone to allow cruise ships to dock, which will be an enormous boost to the local economy. Some $50million US is involved. This was all announced by Hipolito, who can't really afford to break this promise. Hopefully all this will come to pass.
Canadian Bob

[canadian bob]

Please also see travelnews@dr1.com May 13th, 2003. Thanks!! Canadian Bob.

[Chris]

Would be nice if it happened - especially if they take into consideration the environmental problems with allowing cruise ships to dock, and allow for this in development plans. But, then again, I'm mostly an optimist.

[Escott]

Puerto Plata by itself has terrible beaches. Sosua, Confresi, Costambar, Cabarete have nice beaches. I sometimes walk around in Puerto Plata by myself and wonder why any tourists actually go there. They have NOTHING.

AI's are NOT a American creation. THey were in fact created for the cheap Cannuck and European. For that reason the DR has NOT had a big US tourism boost in my opinion.

Moving the Enron plant is a GOOD thing. Blows dirty disgusting black smoke and soot. If I was on a Cruise Ship I would NOT want to dock in Puerto Plata.

Larry, change like is being imagined in this thread is GOOD... For real estate prices

Escott

[Chris]

After reading the posts this evening about bank fraud, I believe the government has bigger problems than dressing up POP?

[BushBaby]

IF this comes about, I shall be delighted!!! Apart from the financial benefits (jobs & scoundreling) it will bring for the local workforce, it will help me to sell my house in the centre of town!! This has been up for sale since April 1999 (when we decided we were going to build our new house just out of town centre) & has only had 3 viewers in all that time!! Lovely old Gingerbread type Victorian house made of wood & LOTS of character but No-One interested because of stagnation in the town!! - Grahame.

[Larry]

Larry, change like is being imagined in this thread is GOOD... For real estate prices--Escott

Yeah I know. I just wish it would happen AFTER I buy something. Then I could sell it and go somewhere else where they are NOT trying to turn it into one big tourist spot.
Larry