Relaunching tourism in Puerto Plata

VILLA MONTELLANO. – The public hearing to present the characteristics of the first four hotels in the Punta Bergantín tourist complex and the results of the environmental impact study to authorities, community leaders, journalists, and other stakeholders in the region turned into a meeting in which all those who spoke expressed their support for this initiative. 

Even seasoned tourism professionals, journalists, and community leaders from the Puerto Plata province, such as Julio Almonte, Oscar Lora, Edward Capellán, Felipe Santiago, Cesar José de los Santos, and Luis Sánchez, agreed that the resort will serve as a revival of the North Coast's tourism industry. 

The establishments presented were: Amber Gardens Hotel, Atlantic View Hotel, Emerald Valley Hotel and Costa Dorada Hotel, “planned to be operated under the Westin, W, Meliá and Hilton brands, will have 500 rooms, and share a common vision of sustainability.” 

The mayor of Villa Montellano, Héctor Rafael Almonte Santana, expressed the community's positive expectations that the development of Punta Bergantín will have a positive impact on the region and promote a new dynamic of development in the area. 

 

Dialogue with the community 

Andrés Marranzini, project director, highlighted the importance of this meeting with authorities, business leaders, community members, and journalists, as well as the fact that it fulfills a requirement of environmental law. 

More than an obligation, he said, the public hearing is a legal requirement for the Punta Bergantín Trust, headed by Banco de Reservas. This meeting continues the strategy of dialogue with the community. 

“This is,” Marranzini explained, “a consultation tool that promotes broad participation among stakeholders in the Punta Bergantín project, and it is an opportunity for those leading the project to hear the community's comments, which will always be taken into account.” 

He indicated that the meeting was convened to present the project's characteristics to the community, address any concerns it may raise, report on potential environmental impacts, and strengthen communication between the project and the community and the province—something that has been promoted since day one and will continue to be the case.

Marranzini explained that he hopes the approval process will be completed this year and that construction on the hotels will begin in early 2026, and they will be on the market for the 2027-2028 peak season.

 

Take advantage of the natural charm 

Engineer Mariel Rodríguez described Punta Bergantín as "a tourism development project comprised of five-star hotels, integrated into a single master plan, conceived under an eco-friendly model, with a firm commitment to conserving the area's natural resources and offering a product that combines luxury, sustainability, and authentic experiences, taking advantage of the natural charm of the surroundings."

The rooms will be distributed in buildings of up to seven levels, increasing in height as they move away from the coast, with the aim of not obstructing sea views and promoting harmonious integration with the natural landscape.

It will feature social and recreational areas with swimming pools, restaurants, a snack bar, a spa, a gym, event rooms, and a beach club, all meeting international standards and in keeping with the surrounding environment. The outdoor spaces will be designed to interact respectfully with the surrounding landscape, incorporating natural elements that enhance the environmental experience and contribute to its preservation.

Low environmental impact materials 

Priority will be given to the use of local, renewable, and low-environmental-impact materials, as well as ecologically certified materials such as sustainably sourced wood, low-VOC paints, and efficient thermal insulation systems.

In addition, the use of recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable materials will be encouraged at various stages of the construction process. Permeable paving will be used in outdoor areas and trails to allow natural rainwater infiltration, reducing surface runoff and respecting the region's water cycle.

The wastewater treatment system will be centralized and managed by the Punta Bergantín Trust. This will allow hotels to connect directly to the institutional system without the need to build individual plants, ensuring efficient management approved by environmental authorities.