The Dominican Government is planning to spend RD79.5 million to promote ecotourism in the areas of the island specializing in eco tours and trips and natural attractions by building and refurbishing “tourist stops”, with the backing of the Hotel and Tourism Industry Promotion and Development Corporation. 

The programme is to include remodeling some hotels including the Hotel Montana in Jarabacoa famous for its white water rapids, rappelling, and other outdoor pursuits and also at the waterfalls and natural pool at Aguas Blancas in Costanza.

Stops are to be built in Guayacanes, Long Beach, Bayacanes River, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica, Caba Rojo, Perdernales and to reconstruct existing stops at Cocolandia in Palnque, San Cristobal, Punta Salina, Bani, Boca Cachon, Los Patos and San Rafael in Barahona. The first four stops planned are to be built in the beaches of Boca Chica, Long Beach in Puerto Plata, Poza de Bojolo, Nagua and Aguas Blancas in Costanza, the cost is around RD50 million.

The Hotel and Tourism Industry Promotion and Development Corporation stated that since May 2004 it has collected RD94,362 from rentals of its hotels and the three other businesses.  The Corporation said that the first stop will be inaugurated in Poza de Bojolo in Nagua at a cost of RD12 million.

The north coast can look forward to improvements in September at a cost of RD20 million in the Long Beach area of Puerto Plata along the coastal park on the corner of the now renovated beach area.

The Tourist Stops are places that will allow travelers to rest, go to the bathroom with out having to spend money, the stops will also provide facilities to change flat tires or get air without the having to stop at a gas station.

In total the project includes 12 stops with work, modernization and construction costing in excess of RD80 million to improve the general infrastructure and tourist services within the afore mentioned tourist regions.  Director Emely Cruz of the Corporation said that each “inn” would cost around RD2.5million each.