The ITF signs its second agreement this year with the Dominican Republic, ensuring cooperation on sustainable tourism
The Dominican Republic’s status as a sustainable tourism destination is set to be enhanced under a new agreement with the ITF that will ensure safe, efficient and sustainable transport for tourists – ‘sustainable tourism mobility’.
The ITF will work hand-in-hand with the country’s Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) to improve tourists’ experience of the Dominican Republic, while promoting tourism sustainability and the ongoing social and economic development of the country.
Tourism is a crucial part of the Dominican Republic’s economy, contributing USD 21 billion annually – around 16% of annual gross domestic product (GDP).
“We’re delighted to be working on this crucial agenda with the Dominican Republic, which will help support tourism here, now and in the future – we applaud the Dominican Republic’s leadership in this vital work,” said David Massiah, ITF Tourism Chair.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, signed today (Wednesday), the ITF and MITUR will exchange knowledge, experience, information and international best practices, all geared towards strengthening sustainable tourism mobility and integrating ground transportation into the tourism value chain.
The agreement comes after the ITF and the Dominican Republic signed a groundbreaking agreement in February this year ensuring joint work on nationwide compliance with labour legislation and international labour standards, particularly in sectors such as transport, logistics, and tourism.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said:
This is a hugely important step forward in ensuring that the Dominican Republic develops safe and sustainable tourism industry – improving the lives of the workers at the heart of the industry and in turn guaranteeing the long-term success of the country’s tourism industry.
“It’s very clear that the Dominican Republic is a leader in this area, and that MITUR fully understands that a viable future for tourism depends on sustainability. The ITF will do all it can to support the Dominican Republic, including in our ongoing joint work on improving and upholding labour standards across transport and logistics.”
The ITF and MITUR will also work to bring about stronger coordination between the transport and tourism sectors through improved cooperation among public institutions, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society.
“Without transport – and, critically, transport workers – there is no tourism. Ensuring that tourism remains sustainable and competitive is crucial for countries like the Dominican Republic that rely on tourism’s economic contribution,” said Edgar Diaz, ITF Latin America Regional Secretary.
“This agreement has the potential to bring huge benefits to the Dominican Republic, the country’s transport workers, tourists who visit the country, and transport workers across the region. The ITF is seeking to expand this collaboration to other countries, and we hope they will follow the leadership that the Dominican Republic is showing.”
ENDS
IMAGE: Reuters: ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect
