Santa Bárbara de Samaná waterfront, April 2024; illustrative photograph, not the forum. Photo: -wuppertaler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; thumbnails cropped to fit.
Tourism leaders meeting at Puerto Bahía on October 8, 2026, called for closer cooperation between ports and local businesses so cruise visits bring benefits across Samaná. The discussion produced a proposed return-visit pilot and a commitment to pursue a working group.
According to coverage published on October 9 by Saturno, destination specialist Juan Manuel Santana presented “Back to Samaná,” a proposed pilot linking terminals, excursions, restaurants, transport and hotels. Its aim is to encourage cruise passengers to return for longer stays. Suggested measures include tracking enquiries, bookings, overnight stays and spending associated with those return visits.
AHETSA president Abelardo Melgen Acra said he would promote a working group with the Samaná Tourism Cluster, authorities and productive sectors to identify practical initiatives and evaluate their results. The reports describe proposals and next steps; they do not establish an operating programme or an enrolment process.
Noticias SIN also reported that cluster president Javier Lara Reinhold stressed participation by guides, transport operators, restaurants, shops, artisans and entrepreneurs, alongside training, safety and environmental protection.
For tourism businesses in Las Galeras, the follow-up is relevant because it focuses on sharing opportunities beyond the port terminals. No specific Las Galeras project or guaranteed increase in visitors was announced in these reports.
Sources: Saturno’s forum report; Noticias SIN. Read our earlier forum preview.