The Tourism Commission of the Senate of the Dominican Republic has made progress in its review of two bills designed to support the country’s tourism industry through new legal frameworks focused on gastronomic and health tourism.
The proposals under consideration include the Tourism Promotion Through Gastronomy Bill, introduced by Senator Rafael Barón Duluc Rijo, and a separate initiative to establish the National Council for Health Tourism Development (CONDETUSA), submitted by Senator Daniel Rivera, who represents Santiago, the Dominican Republic’s second-largest city.
Committee Reviews Proposed Changes
During the latest working session, the commission, chaired by Senator Ginnette Bournigal de Jiménez of Puerto Plata Province, examined amendments that have been incorporated into both legislative proposals. Lawmakers and technical advisers evaluated possible improvements and the feasibility of the measures before preparing favorable reports for presentation to the full Senate.
Bournigal said the commission had carried out an intensive and transparent review process aimed at strengthening both initiatives so they could move forward in the National Congress. She said the proposed legislation would provide more effective legal frameworks to support tourism development across the country.
Promoting Dominican Culinary Heritage
The bill promoting gastronomic tourism seeks to position the Dominican Republic’s culinary traditions as a driver of sustainable cultural, economic, and tourism development. According to information published by the Senate, the proposal would establish measures to recognize, preserve, and promote Dominican culinary heritage as part of the country’s national tourism offering.
The initiative also aims to reinforce the country’s gastronomic identity while helping diversify the economy and generate benefits for local communities by integrating traditional cuisine more closely into the visitor experience.
Health Tourism Also Under Review
The second proposal would create the National Council for Health Tourism Development (CONDETUSA) as an advisory body responsible for promoting and regulating health tourism activities throughout the Dominican Republic.
The bill also seeks to designate health tourism as a matter of national priority, reflecting the country’s interest in expanding a sector that combines medical services with international travel. Both legislative initiatives remain under review as the Senate committee works toward submitting its recommendations to lawmakers for consideration in the full chamber.