PUERTO PLATA.- The Punta Bergantín Trust announced that it plans to conduct a study to analyze the potential economic impacts of the Punta Bergantín tourism project on Villa Montellano. The project is currently underway and already has contracts for the construction of three internationally owned hotels, an amusement park, and the first villas and apartments.

The objective of this research, which will be conducted by experts selected through a competitive process, he explains, is to complete and deepen the findings of the information collected by the Single Beneficiary System (SIUBEN), the state social information system that classifies the population according to their socioeconomic status and vulnerability.

The research document, published on the Trust's website, states that "the aim is to analyze the economic impact of Punta Bergantín's operations in the municipality of Villa Montellano, and how this, in turn, impacts the local tourism value chain, at all its stages, and the competitive advantages derived from it."

It indicates that "we hope to understand the effects of increased consumption, spending, or investment in the area, as well as the effects of the introduction of tourism, considering that the predominant economic activity in Villa Montellano, until 15 years ago, was sugarcane production." Other findings include the economic impact on employment and income distribution in the community.

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Trust also announced on its website that it has commissioned a study to design a "Sustainability Management System, with the goal of ensuring the project's long-term viability by integrating sustainable practices that benefit investors, the community, and other key stakeholders."

It specifies that this system "must align with global sustainability standards, address risks and opportunities for investors, local communities, customers, regulatory bodies, environmental organizations, and tourism operators, to ensure long-term environmental, social, and economic viability."

The documents on the published studies add that as a project that embraces sustainability, it must incorporate strategies that promote ecological and responsible development that benefits the community and the natural environment; with detailed projects for each area that must integrate renewable energy, waste reduction programs, and fair trade agreements with local artisans and businesses.

THE TRUST

Punta Bergantín is a trust headed by Banco de Reservas, whose objective is to create a new tourism dynamic in the province of Puerto Plata, transforming this corner of the north coast into an internationally renowned destination with comprehensive development.

This initiative occupies more than 10 million square meters in a beautiful environment, which will be preserved with a low-density urban development combining hotels, recreational areas, and horizontal and vertical housing to offer a first-class real estate and tourism destination.

To this end, agreements have already been reached with the Martinón Group, which will build a Hyatt "Inclusive Collection" hotel; a Meliá hotel, with a joint investment from Meliá International Hotels and the Puntacana Group; and with the Velutini and Humano groups, which developed a Westin-branded hotel. An agreement was also signed with the ITM operator for the development of a theme park.

In addition, the agreement was signed for the design and development of the golf course, which will be carried out by the firms Beau Welling Design and Davis Love III, who have been responsible for the design and construction of important courses, among which the headquarters of the Frisco PGA stands out.

This is an offer designed to "attract longer-stay tourism and develop local capabilities, thereby boosting non-traditional tourism sectors such as film, gastronomy, health, convention tourism, sports tourism, community tourism, real estate tourism, wellness tourism, and adventure tourism, among others."

The Punta Bergantín Trust is expected to place Puerto Plata on the global map for international-standard tourism with significant appeal for vacationers from around the world.