While the 2008 Presidential campaign heated up all over the country this weekend, the PLD presidential challenger focussed on tourism as a key part of his election platform.

During a visit to Puerto Plata this Saturday Danilo Medina said that a long-term plan is need to focus on where the country wants to be in ten years. It requires a plan for sustainable development in tourism, increasing the number of foreign tourists and available rooms. He said that by giving tourism a "starring role" new employment opportunities and an expanded public consumer base will be created. While acknowledging the large investments his party has made in the tourism sector he feels that without a long-term plan they cannot achieve the goals of development the country needs.

He also talked about bringing the local agricultural sector up to tourist standards in order to expanding the local market. "When a tourist eats locally produced chicken, beef, rice or vegetables, we are exporting within our own territory."

He also believes that the country cannot be competitive in the regional market unless it resolves the problems with electricity.