Samaná tourism summit focuses on cruise industry growth

The XI Annual Meeting for Tourism Development in Samaná was held at Puerto Bahía to discuss transforming the increasing cruise ship arrivals into local economic opportunities. Organized by the Samaná Tourism Cluster (CTS) and the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Samaná (AHETSA), with support from the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), the event focused on ensuring that port growth translates into jobs and business for the province.

With the upcoming opening of a new cruise terminal in Arroyo Barril, industry leaders emphasized the need to extend the economic benefits beyond the ports. Javier Lara Reinhold, president of the CTS, noted that while Samaná Bayport and the forthcoming Port Samaná offer significant possibilities, the challenge lies in integrating restaurants, guides, transporters, artisans, and entrepreneurs into the passenger experience. The summit highlighted the importance of maintaining quality, security, and environmental protection to preserve the region's unique attributes.