Puerto Plata. – The Punta Bergantín tourism project seeks to “leave a lasting mark on the region's tourism landscape” and create an innovative destination in the Dominican Republic with financial viability, environmental sustainability, and responsible development to create unforgettable tourist experiences. This observation was made by project director Andrés Marranzini Grullón, who announced that the first hotels will be developed with the Martinón group, “and we are in talks with the Hyatt brand, projects that will have an investment of US$$180.0 million, which is a clear indication that we are on the right track.” In an interview with Plus Magazine, Marranzini Grullón stated that hotel investments of this magnitude have not been made in the northern region for many years. He indicated that adding new hotel rooms to the destination's existing offering “is possibly the necessary complement to trigger new air routes for outbound travelers, especially from the east coast of the United States, in addition to the traditional ones.” This initiative, he stated, has sparked the interest of many groups who are already starting to contact us to explore "and accompany us in the development of the project and the positioning of the new destination within Puerto Plata." In other words, the idea is to launch a new offering in a destination like Puerto Plata, "and we're betting on its success," Marranzini stated. He indicated that due to the magnitude and the need to attract world-class investors and operators, a project like this requires the support and credibility of a group like Banreservas, as well as the marketing support to reposition Puerto Plata as a destination, facilitated by the government through the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR). However, he explained that the project must be expanded as much as possible by incorporating financial stakeholders, investors, real estate developers, and hoteliers. He asserted that sustainability and the incorporation of Punta Bergantín's unique ecosystem will be the key calling card, as the international firm in charge of the design, GVA, has respected and incorporated all the property's native flora and fauna. Punta Bergantín, more than an academic field, will be a center of innovation, with business and research development, spaces for professional collaboration, and business acceleration programs. It will be governed by a foundation that guarantees its long-term sustainability, Marranzini reported. "I am convinced that Puerto Plata offers a positive impact as a destination. It is probably the only destination in the country with a town steeped in history, with a personality embedded in its surroundings, and with elements of exclusivity." To attract a diverse audience, Marranzini said they are taking firm steps to stimulate the film industry in the northern part of the country, "and encourage all visitors to enjoy the area with community development and recreational spaces in various locations throughout the development, with beach clubs, restaurants, shops, and the creation of a residential community with quality services."