Tourism in the Dominican Republic - a legal guide - Pellerano ...

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INDEX DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROFILE .........................................9 General information ..............................................................9 Political system .................................................................. 11 Economy .......................................................................... 11 Process of legal modernization and trade liberalization .............. 13 TOURISM IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ................................. 15 Tourist offer ...................................................................... 15 Economic importance of the sector ...................................... 17 GOVERNMENT POLICY IN TOURISM ......................................... 20 Tourism as a priority sector of Dominican economy .................. 20 Institutions of the tourist sector .......................................... 22 REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURIST ACTIVITIES ............................. 24 General requirements ......................................................... 24 Approval of tourist projects ................................................. 24 Regulation of tourist facilities and services .............................. 24 FINANCIAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF TOURIST ACTIVITIES .. 29 Sources of financing for tourist projects ............................................................. 29 Regime of foreign investment .............................................. 30 Relevant legal issues ........................................................... 30 LAW 158-01 ON PROMOTION OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ........ 38 Background and objectives .................................................. 38 Scope of application ........................................................... 39 Competent bodies ............................................................. 40 Requirements and procedures ............................................. 41 Incentives and benefits ...................................................... 41 Safeguards of environmental protection ................................ 43 APPENDIX 1 STATISTICAL TABLES ............................................................ 44
FOREWORD The Dominican Republic is currently the major tourist attraction in the Caribbean. Beautiful beaches, impressive natural resources, a pleasant and consistent tropical climate, a large number of places of cultural, historical and ecological interest, together with the joy and hospitality of the Dominican people, as well as the safety and political stability prevailing since years, have turned the country into one of the preferred tourist destinations of several markets. Tourism development is a priority of the Dominican Government. Public initiatives intended to promote tourism and private participation in the sector, have enabled the Dominican Republic to benefit largely from its multiple tourist attractions, and to develop its tourist industry in such a manner that today tourism is one of the milestones of the Dominican economy, and one of the areas of greater potential for investors due to the diverse and interesting business opportunities that this sector has to offer. The country has an ample and competitive hotel offer, an adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of tourist services, sufficient qualified labor force to satisfy market requirements, and a legal and institutional framework that ensures the quality of tourism, the competitiveness of the sector and the security of tourism investments. The Secretariat of State of Tourism is pleased to present individuals and companies with this Legal Guide, with the aim to support potential investors interested in the tourism sector in materializing and developing their projects in the country. Here the reader will find useful information regarding the performance and significance of tourism in Dominican Republic; the role of the various public entities related to tourism; the available sources of financing; the legal requirements applicable to investments in the tourist sector, the development of tourist projects, the installation of tourist facilities and the provision of tourist services; as well as a detailed description of the wide incentives granted to tourist enterprises that carry out their activities in certain geographic areas of the country. The Secretariat of State of Tourism would like to acknowledge the assistance it has received from the law firm Pellerano & Herrera in the elaboration of this publication. Dr. Rafael Suberví Bonilla Secretariat of Tourism
Page 2: PELLERANO & HERRERA ATTORNEYS AT LA
Page 10 and 11: Geography Dominican Republic: Cultu
Page 12 and 13: participation. All poverty indicato
Page 14 and 15: Foreign investment Net capital flow
Page 16 and 17: Tourist attractions TOURIST OFFER T
Page 18 and 19: However, in the last years hotel of
Page 20 and 21: At the end of the sixties, the drop
Page 22 and 23: Incentives An incentive policy adop
Page 24 and 25: that may be needed for the developm
Page 26 and 27: c) To comply strictly with the rese
Page 28 and 29: FINANCIAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF TO
Page 30 and 31: When all or part of the shares are
Page 32 and 33: companies. Individuals benefit from
Page 34 and 35: Tourist projects that require envir
Page 36 and 37: technology, as established in Law 1
Page 38 and 39: SCOPE OF APPLICATION As it will be
Page 40 and 41: • To evaluate requests and issue
Page 42 and 43: SAFEGUARDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECT
Page 44 and 45: Gross Domestic Product (in million
Page 46 and 47: NATIONALITY TOTAL NORTH AMERICA Uni

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