Angel Miolan. Secretary of State without portfolio of the Dominican Republic

06 September 2002 6:00am

Angel Miolan is considered the father of tourism in the Dominican Republic, a man who’s devoted a considerable chunk of his life to his country’s tourist development. An opponent to General Trujillo, he traveled through different countries during the regime’s 27-year tenure. He came back to the Dominican Republic in 1961 and then he started eyeing tourism as a key player in his nation’s economic development. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has wanted to acknowledge both his work and professional career in the world of tourism within the framework of the New York City’s Caribbean Week, with one of the fifty honorary awards whereby the association has prized the endeavor and dedication of several personalities in the leisure industry.

CND: To begin with, we’d like you to tell us about your professional career in the realm of tourism.

A: It’s been quite some time since I started showing interest in those tourists traveling to my country, the Dominican Republic. In the trips I made through different countries, I began to acquire a taste for tourism ‘cause I realized it helps man to lay back and “do stress in.” Tourism is a whole lot more than just a “happy way of life;” it’s also a major economic means that plays a role in people’s development and staves off poverty. So, I started working in my country to lure tourists. At the onset, nobody believed in me because that was a somewhat unknown sector in the Dominican Republic some time ago. Those were the first steps ever taken by the Dominican tourism.

In 1967, I was appointed Director-General of Tourism and for eight years I led my country’s tourist development. I managed to recruit the nation’s youngest segments to join tourism’s rank and file, and little by little that industry began to grow. After that, I’ve been bonded to it and I’ve led all conventions on that sector, that as a matter of fact, have been only a few. In 32 years of tourist development in the Dominican Republic, only three conventions have taken place here and we’re now working on a fourth conference.

Tourism in the Dominican Republic started out from scratch. It’s been growing and developing ever after and it has now turned out to be the top hard-currency source for the nation’s economy. According to UNESCO, we rank as one of the major tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

CND: What markets did you turn to first in order to lure tourists to the Dominican Republic?

A: Puerto Rico was the very first destination. As soon as I was appointed Director-General of Tourism, I visited this country with an entourage of Dominican entrepreneurs in tow, and so we founded the Tourism Festival. This occurrence panned out to be an outstanding scenario for different tourist events and meetings. We also started making ties with nations like Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and Spain, among others.

Puerto Rico was the very first market that began sending tourists to our country. This development went on growing and growing in a piecemeal fashion, and now the Dominican Republic welcomes visitors from all major European countries like France, Germany, Italy and Spain. We’re in a process of steady growth.

CND: Have you ever worked in the hotel sector?

A: No. I’ve made links with that industry because of my responsibilities as director of my country’s tourist layout.

CND: You’ve served as an advisor to the Dominican Republic’s other Secretaries of Tourism. Now, there’s a new Secretary in office. Are you still his advisor?

A: Not exactly, because Rafael Subervi –the new Secretary of Tourism- has ample experience in that sector under his belt. He’d served a four-year stint as Secretary of Tourism before and he’s now coming back to office. I’m collaborati