Samaná to Become a Caribbean Cruise Hub!
Samaná to Become a Caribbean Cruise Hub!
Last week, our beautiful region was honored to host President Luis Abinader, who arrived to inaugurate the investment in Arroyo Barril, marking a milestone in the development of Samaná! The President symbolically laid the foundation stone for the transformation of the Port of Duarte into a great tourist and commercial terminal. The ceremony marked the beginning of a $68 million investment that is expected to bring one million tourists to Samaná each year!
Samaná Arroyo Barril Terminal
The Samaná Arroyo Barril Terminal will be a luxurious port for cruise ships, as well as a center for tourism and international trade. The President noted that the project anticipates an influx of 300 thousand tourists in the first year of the terminal’s operation, with an annual growth forecast of 25-30%! However, the goal of the terminal is to receive up to one million tourists per year and make the Dominican Republic a leader in cruise tourism in the entire Caribbean region. The investment also means 1000 new jobs and a strong boost for local tourism!
The Samaná Arroyo Barril Terminal project includes: an access plaza, 31,850 m2 of commercial space, gastronomic services, recreational and cultural facilities, a 24,610 m2 water park, a craft market, 8,060 m2 of docks for two ships, and a maneuvering dock. Its strategic location, close to attractions such as Cayo Levanto, Salto de Limón waterfall or local national parks, makes the terminal another important hub in the Dominican Republic’s tourism infrastructure, along with Amber Cove and Taino Bay.
A $68 Million Public-Private Investment
It’s important to note that the reconstruction of the port is the first historic investment realized through a public-private alliance contract. This new government strategy, regulated by Special Law 47-20, creates a synergy between private capital and public projects, responding to the needs of citizens in sectors such as tourism, infrastructure and education. The project will be carried out by PDAB Port Investments, Sociedad Gestora SA, with an estimated investment value of $68 million.
The investment is in line with President Abinader’s vision to make the Dominican Republic a Caribbean cruise hub. It is also a key project for the future of the province of Samaná, which, according to the President, is currently the fastest growing region in the Dominican Republic. A port that can serve the largest cruise ships from around the world, with an influx of up to one million tourists per year, is a monumental step in the economic and tourism transformation of the region. We are incredibly happy and proud that the Samana Group is part of the positive changes on the Samaná Peninsula and, together with other investors, is responsible for its rapid yet sustainable development. The final words of the President are of great importance to us, as he thanked the representatives of the Municipality of Santa Bárbara de Samaná and promised that the best is yet to come for our country, symbolically indicating that the development of Samaná is key to the current administration.
