Through cooperation between the Southeast Reefs Alliance, the Puntacana Group and the German Development Cooperation, GIZ, the bases were strengthened to achieve effective management of the Southeast Reefs Marine Sanctuary (SAMAR) as a protected area.
During an event held in Punta Cana, the results obtained by the project “Reefs and recreation: a digital and innovative alliance for the sustainability of coastal areas” were announced.
This alliance, which primarily promotes the protection of natural resources and long-term tourism sustainability, is carried out in collaboration with Grupo Puntacana and with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, and is financed by the develoPPP program that The GIZ is implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
SAMAR, established in 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, seeks to conserve marine habitats and environments on the island’s southeastern continental shelf, the second largest protected area in the country.
To contribute to this objective, the alliance created between GIZ and Grupo Puntacana carried out actions and efforts to consolidate tourism sustainability in the area that is based on efficient and effective management of the sanctuary.
Svenja Paulino, Director of the Biodiversity and Business Portfolio in Central America and the Dominican Republic, explains: “The only way for us to achieve long-term sustainable tourism is through public-private alliances with actors who not only have the capacity and resources to contribute with this objective, but also the commitment to assume the efforts that this entails.
Grupo Puntacana is an example of this, this project is important for GIZ since this company is one of the largest and most diversified in the Dominican Republic and has distinguished itself in the industry for its commitment to sustainability and long-term regional development.”.