La Romana, Dominican Republic. – The La Romana–Bayahíbe region has officially been declared the first accessible and inclusive tourism destination in the Dominican Republic, a milestone achieved through a pioneering collaboration between the public and private sectors. The announcement was made this Thursday by Tourism Minister David Collado during a ceremony at the Sunscape Dominicus Hotel.
A Landmark Project for Dominican Tourism
The initiative, titled “Accessible La Romana Destination”, was made possible by an alliance involving:
- The Ministry of Tourism (Mitur)
- The La Romana-Bayahíbe Hotel Association (AHRB)
- The La Romana-Bayahíbe Tourism Cluster (CTRB)
The project also received technical assistance from the Open Doors Organization and Travegali, two entities specialized in accessible travel and hospitality standards.
During the event, Minister Collado signed the agreement alongside private sector leaders Andrés Fernández and Rafael Blanco, calling the achievement a historic step forward for Dominican tourism. He underscored that the initiative “sets a new benchmark for universal accessibility in the Caribbean.”
Accessible Beaches and Infrastructure
Collado further committed to ensuring that the beaches of Bayahíbe and Dominicus undergo the necessary upgrades to meet international accessibility standards, in line with Blue Flag certification requirements.
These improvements will include redesigned spaces, mobility access, and services tailored for travelers with disabilities, seniors, and families, reinforcing La Romana-Bayahíbe’s new identity as a fully inclusive Caribbean destination.
A Model for Inclusive Travel in the Caribbean
With this recognition, La Romana-Bayahíbe not only strengthens its position as one of the Dominican Republic’s premier coastal destinations but also sets a regional example for how tourism can be both world-class and universally accessible.
This innovative model is expected to attract greater international investment, sustainable growth, and tourism diversification, while aligning with the government’s commitment to making the Dominican Republic a global leader in inclusive travel.
