by Luis Alberto Sierra G.
SANTO DOMINGO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation well-known for its beautiful beaches, resorts and golfing, is preparing to receive more Chinese tourists after the two countries established diplomatic relations earlier this week.
The Dominican Republic is updating its tourism industry and contacting partners and investors to get ready for receiving mass Chinese visitors, Dominican Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Garcia said he had talked with Fu Xinrong, permanent representative of Office of Commercial Development of China in the country, about tourism cooperation.
The Dominican Republic and China announced on May 1 that the two sides established diplomatic relations after the Caribbean nation severed ties with Taiwan. The Dominican Republic said it recognizes and adheres to the one-China principle.
The Dominican government has already discussed the possibility of forming an alliance with other Caribbean countries to allow Chinese tourists to visit several destinations in one tour package, Garcia said.
Garcia said that his Panamanian counterpart, Gustavo Him, suggested that Chinese travellers on Air China flights between Beijing and Panama City, via Houston, could also visit the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican government has already begun discussions with Chinese tour operators on receiving Chinese visitors, for example bringing Chinese tourists to the country via flights from the United States.
"In the tourism sector, there is a whirlwind of opportunities for Chinese investors. In the Dominican Republic, we have developed tourism centers. Some projects are in development and some have not yet begun development, but we want them. We need investment to start these projects," Garcia said, adding that "Chinese investors will have many opportunities."
"We must work on what we have always advocated ...the ease of travel," he said, adding that the country will try to attract Chinese tourists by simplifying their travel experience.
According to Garcia, the Dominican Republic received 6.2 million tourists in 2017, including 1.2 million people from cruise ships, which brought the country an income of 7.2 billion U.S. dollars.
The cruise ship sector which grew 37 percent last year has become an important part of the country's tourism industry.
"The segment of cruise ships has become a great opportunity for the Dominican Republic," he said.
