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On October 8, we attended the 11th Annual Conference on Tourism Development held in Salon Santa Barbara, Puerto Bahia, in Samana. This event brings together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss the present and future of cruise tourism in the province.
Organized by the Samana Tourism Cluster and AHETSA (Association of Hotels and Tourism Businesses of Samana), “Samana: Sailing Toward a New Era” focused on the growth of the cruise industry and its impact on the region’s economic and tourism development.
During the event, key topics such as port infrastructure, the hotel industry, local commerce, human resources, and environmental sustainability were addressed, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities that allow the industry’s growth to benefit the entire province.
One of the main goals set forth was to move toward a model in which cruise passengers can, in the future, become long-stay visitors, thereby strengthening their connection to the destination and expanding the impact of their visit on the local economy.
ITM Group in Samana
On this occasion, Fernanda Tovar Galindo, our Director of Revenue Management, was among the group of national and international experts invited to share their knowledge and perspectives on the cruise industry, port operations, and destination development.
During her presentation, she shared Port Samana’s vision and the opportunities it offers to promote Samana as an international cruise destination. Located in Arroyo Barril, Port Samana offers an experience that combines gastronomy, entertainment, local culture, and three recreational areas, in addition to having the capacity to welcome up to two Oasis-class cruise ships. Scheduled to open on November 24, the project looks to the future with growth projections of 10,000 passengers in 2026, 220,000 in 2027, and 450,000 in 2028. This growth will also translate into opportunities for the province, generating more than 1,000 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect jobs, thereby strengthening the local economy and connecting Port Samana with taxi drivers, artisans, transport providers, merchants, representatives of the culinary sector, and the entire community.
Our participation reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, with a vision focused on sustainable development and the creation of new opportunities for destinations.
A Shared Vision for the Future
In this context, Samana Bayport took part in discussions regarding the development of the province’s port infrastructure and the new opportunities this growth represents for the destination.
For ITM Group, participating in this meeting and presenting Port Samana provided an opportunity to continue building relationships that drive tourism development in Samana.
We remain committed to initiatives that contribute to the growth of the cruise industry and the development of destinations with a long-term vision, sustainability, and the creation of value for their communities.
Photography Credits: Ricardo Rojas
