A transformative step toward inclusive tourism is taking root in Puerto Plata, after three key stakeholders joined forces to sign the landmark “Puerto Plata, Accessible Destination” agreement, backed by the region’s municipal government. The partnership brings together the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster, travel accessibility specialist Travegali, and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism to build a fully integrated accessibility framework that opens the region’s attractions to travelers who have long been overlooked by mainstream tourism.
Helmed by Dominican Republic Tourism Minister David Collado, the ambitious initiative sets a clear strategic goal: to position Puerto Plata as the second fully accessible tourist destination in the country. Unlike piecemeal accessibility adjustments that many destinations adopt, this project centers on delivering a seamless, dignified travel experience for people with disabilities, senior travelers, and all other visitors who require accessible facilities and services. At its core, the framework prioritizes three core outcomes for these travelers: greater safety, autonomy, and dignity when exploring all that Puerto Plata has to offer.
Rafael Blanco, President of Travegali, outlined the phased rollout plan that will guide the project’s implementation. Work will kick off with a comprehensive, destination-wide audit to map current accessibility gaps across all public and private tourism sites. Following the assessment, the partnership will develop a structured, time-bound roadmap to incrementally upgrade infrastructure and update service standards across the region.
Beyond physical infrastructure improvements, the initiative encompasses three additional critical pillars: workforce training for local tourism employees, upgrades to communication tools and digital travel platforms to better serve accessible travel needs, and a targeted international marketing push to connect Puerto Plata with the fast-growing global accessible tourism market. Industry data shows accessible travel is one of the fastest expanding segments of the global tourism industry, with unmet demand across most Caribbean destinations.
As upgrades progress, the project will progressively include every segment of Puerto Plata’s tourism ecosystem. That ranges from private hotels, restaurants, tour operators, retail shops, and tour companies, to public assets including national parks, museums, public beaches, transportation networks, the regional port, and the local airport. Public sector institutions and local community organizations will also play active roles in shaping and rolling out the changes, ensuring the framework meets the actual needs of both travelers and local communities.
The signing ceremony brought together a full cross-section of stakeholders invested in Puerto Plata’s long-term tourism growth, including national tourism authorities, local municipal leaders, private sector business representatives, and civil society organizations focused on disability rights and inclusive development. The gathering signals broad buy-in for the project, which is expected to not only expand access but also drive new economic growth for the region by tapping into an underserved global travel market.