Dominican tourism authorities reported that the province of Puerto Plata currently leads the cruise ship market in the country, with a total of 99 cruises docking between January and June transporting some 427,470 tourists. This figure, compared to the 306,437 travelers from the previous year, marks a substantial difference in the number of visitors.
Julio Almonte, Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, recalled that since 2012 almost 42 million tourists have arrived by air, whereas by sea they have exceeded six million cruise passengers. Almonte stressed that “in that same period the Dominican Republic has generated 44,900 million dollars in revenue. Direct investment is around 20 thousand 207 million dollars and the creation of jobs within the tourism sector is surpassing 500 thousand positions.
Part of this increase in cruise tourism comes from the success of the Amber Cove port in Maimón. Opened in 2015, this cruise terminal for Carnival Cruise Line has boosted the economic and social activity of Puerto Plata province, as well as the entire northern region of the country.
Given the renewed popularity of Puerto Plata as a maritime travel destination, the Dominican Port Authority plans to invest 125 million dollars in the construction, rebuilding and development of a cruise and passenger terminal in the Port of the city of Puerto Plata. The new terminal, scheduled to open in 2020, will receive 680,000 cruise passengers.
About Puerto Plata
The province of Puerto Plata is located on the north Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic. This area is known for its beautiful beaches and years ago it was one of the top destinations for tourists who visited the island.
Due to several factors, including the development of the eastern part of the country where Punta Cana is located, tourism declined in Puerto Plata. Now thanks to the efforts of the Dominican authorities, the territory is regaining popularity once more.
Other points of interest in Puerto Plata, in addition to its beaches, include its renowned Cable Car that travels up Loma Isabel de Torres, Ocean World Water Park, the Amber Museum, San Felipe Fortress, the caves of Cabarete, the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, and the Coffee Trail, among others.
For more information on what to see and do in Puerto Plata, visit the Discover Puerto Plata website.