The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Sosua and Cabarete (Ashoresoca) has issued a stark warning that escalating tensions between government authorities could severely damage the tourism prospects of Cabarete, a vital coastal destination in Puerto Plata province. This alert follows a highly visible verbal confrontation between personnel from the Dominican Navy and district director Freddy Cruz regarding beach access protocols during ongoing infrastructure improvements.
Antonio Cárdenas, President of Ashoresoca, emphasized that such public disputes create detrimental perceptions among both current visitors and potential investors. This development arrives at a particularly sensitive juncture as the region intensifies efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and market competitiveness.
While the association explicitly supports the coastal intervention project—recognizing its critical importance for enhancing organizational efficiency, visitor safety, and overall market positioning—it has urgently called for immediate diplomatic resolution to inter-agency conflicts. Industry leaders stress that any delays in completing these vital developments could generate substantial negative economic repercussions for the local tourism-dependent economy.
The association advocates for structured dialogue between all stakeholders to ensure project continuity, maintaining that coordinated execution of improvement works is essential for safeguarding Cabarete’s reputation as a premier Caribbean destination.