At the end of the year, the new cruise ship port in Maimón should finally be ready.
Then the cruise ships of the Carnival Cruise Line company will daily arrive at the port.
The government is very optimistic about the economic gain for the north coast.
Lorenzo Sancassani (Director of Tourism) said it could be a turnover of over one billion pesos in the first year.
He calculated that, on average, each cruise ship passenger spends $ 100 on a trip to Maimón and Puerto Plata.
According to the director of tourism they expect in the first year up to 300,000 passengers.
Carnival Conquest
At a rate of 44 pesos to the dollar this makes over a billion pesos for the various businesses in Maimón and Puerto Plata.
Then there are the revenues from maintenance of the cruise terminal, port taxes, food, drink and fuel.
He estimates that at least 1,200 people will find a job in the tourist industry.
Of course, much remains to be done in the area on staff training, infrastructure and tourist attractions.
Currently the historic center of Puerto Plata is being completely renovated.
They are also working on the construction of an amphitheater at the end of the Malecón.
3,500 visitors can find a seat in the theater.
The intention is that this theater is used for all kinds of cultural activities.
But it is obvious that the cruise ship port in Maimón will give the North Coast a huge economic boost.
To what extent Sosúa and Cabarete will benefit from these developments is not yet entirely clear.
Source: Puerto Plata Habla