INTRODUCTION The San Jose de Ocoa Province obtained its “Ecotourism” classification in 2004 by Law 151-04 of the 5th of August 2004. This allows them to structure a Marketing strategy including the generation of tools for complementing its development with. The management mechanisms of the efforts are the “Consejo Provincial Turistico” (Province Tourism Council), in charge of the financial administration of specific projects and; on behalf of the communitarian/non-profit organizations “Fundacion Ecologica Ocoeña”-FUNDECO, (Ocoa Ecologic Foundation). On the other hand, there are some Ecoadventure tourism-service firms such DomRep Tours or the Marien Group operating in the area. Apart from native tourists, and some small groups mostly from Europe, there is no previous experience in formal Tourism within the Province. HIGHLIGHTS The San Jose de Ocoa Province (~150,000 inhabitants, 650 Sq. Kilometers) has its own network of dirt roads, paved and semi-paved roads -plus numerous trek paths- that spread roughly along three consecutive valleys. The capitol, San Jose de Ocoa (~70,000 inhabitants), occupies the nearest valley (~500 Meters over sea level) coming from the coast. Rancho Arriba, the second (~750 Mts.) and, Valle Nuevo, well up in the Mountains, more than 2,000 Meters over sea level. Duarte’s Peak, the highest mountain in the Antilles stands at 3,500 Meters. OCOA has also two important rivers: Ocoa and Nizao. The first one runs along the city and ends in the Southwest deserts of the island. The Nizao River runs throughout the province and feeds the Jiguey Lake, the artificial lake of the Jiguey-Aguacate hydroelectric complex, one of the most important in the country. The lake has been a popular fishing pond since the 80’s. One of the best advantages of OCOA is its all-year-round ~70°F mild weather. Visitors can enjoy outdoors activities anytime, even in the hot and humid Caribbean summer months. On the other hand, OCOA has only three small lodges accounting for close to 200 beds, including some rental houses. It can offer only 50 formal hotel rooms though. GENERAL OBJECTIVE Design, implement and operate Ecoadventure Tourism facilities for the Summer of 2006. OBJECTIVE 1 -up to December 2004- Post the Province as a new Ecotourism destination, targeting Puerto Rico as a major potential source of visitors. OBJECTIVE 2 –1st. Quarter 2005- Launch strategic sports events that could serve for Marketing/Promotional purposes. OBJECTIVE 3 –January 2006 Celebrate a major international Ecoadventure event. GENERAL STRATEGY In an early stage, the Province could offer their basic services to other destinations in the South coast such as Boca Chica, Juan Dolio/Guayacanes, La Romana (Casa de Campo), Bayahibe or Bavaro. Previous experiences account for 60% beach-days plus 40% mountain-days vacations. OCOA’s living/visiting costs are far lower than the current DR’s mountain destination: Jarabacoa—150 Kilometers Northwest Santo Domingo. It is important to notice that Jarabacoa has a 40+-year strong local tourism tradition and, the only formal Ecoadventure service available. OCOA could be a complementary tourist destination for Santo Domingo as well. The possibilities of direct negotiations with tour operators for the next season are scarce due to the lack of time and preparation. Besides, it is advisable not to negotiate directly. Tour operators could be Ocoa’s real VIP clients. In a SECOND stage, the sell strategy could be divided in part with traditional tour operators and with a proper offensive within international tourism markets, especially among Ecologic/Adventure tour operators. A THIRD stage could be direct negotiations though. ACTIVITIES Trekking Hiking Caving Biking Kayaking Horseback riding Fishing Trail riding 4WD TARGET BASIC PROFILES Nature & Animal lovers Sport fans Nature adventurers Ecologists Volunteers LOGISTIC Phase 1 1-Lay out basic trekking/hiking routes. 2-Lay out some basic biking routes. 3-Exploration –for kayak navigation purposes- of the Nizao River. 4-Lay out down hill paths 5-Lay out a horseback ride route We already prepare a very first mountain biking recreational route (La Cienega-Las Auyamas-Nizao) with a second loop extension for expert bikers to Rancho Arriba Valley. In addition, a down hill path ending in San Jose de Ocoa town. A river-descend short route for kayaking was studied from Las Avispas down to Jiguey Lake. We already mark two campsite spots and identified 4 cabins to be rebuilt as trading posts, emergency centers or lodges. Phase 2 A major handicap in the area is telephone communication, including mobiles. It is suggested to buy and operate an efficient radio communication network -a strong CB system could be enough for the moment- to maintain in contact tourists with local guides, emergency personnel and the like. This is a must. For medical attention, there is the need to check the local hospital/clinic network. It would be important to interview, and eventually train, the emergency personnel that will be posted along. It is advisable to clear all the local steps to obtain aerial emergency assistant services, such a helicopter from the Army or a private one. Some extra education to the population could be helpful, including those farmers that live deep in the mountain forests of Ocoa. Phase 3 -Lay out expert-only routes for all mentioned sports -Preparation of an “Eco Adventure Race” lay out -Preparation of a mountain bike international race lay out -Continuing with the local educational campaign EVENTS From one side, sports are today’s worldwide phenomena. Billions of dollars are poured in by international corporations to sell everything that could be possible to sell: the Olympic Games, the World Soccer Cup, Formula One in motorsports… On the other side, Tourism is now the FIRST industry in the planet. It is measure by the Trillions… Facts: longer human life expectancy, more healthy people, better communications, millions of new resorts and hotels, more people with time and money…and a global environmental awareness. Conscious Tourism is now the trend for the future. Tourism related to sports also. The OCOA province has many advantages: access to 2 international airports, Las Americas (the most important and close to Santo Domingo) 125 Kilometers to the East and, Maria Montes, in Barahona, 150 Kilometers to the West. Transfers from Las Americas to Ocoa mean no more than 2 hours, throughout a good roadway. In conclusion, the present study points out the design and implementation of a series of tourism-related sports activities, based in its characteristics and strong communitarian organization. SCHEDULE -Daily- Adventure trekking and biking trail rides Down hill Skill-O-Rama -Weekly- Mountain Bike tourist-format competition -Monthly- Mountain Bike Jamboree -Three times a year- Mountain Bike competition/BMX Black Bass Fishing Tournament -Yearly- The OCOA Trophy Adventure Race IMBA Competition (International Mountain Bike Association) Nizao River Kayak Race Horseback riding CALENDAR -2004- November 28 Mountain Bike Jamboree-inaugural -2005- January 15th Downhill from Las Piramides (from 2,000 m to 500 m.) Moto Tourism Event February Mountain Bike Jamboree Motorsport Festival (Motocross and Enduro) March (Eastern Week) Mountain Bike Jamboree Nizao River Rafting Race Black Bass Fishing Tournament April Mountain Bike Jamboree The Nizao River Ecological Expedition May/June Mountain Bike Jamboree July/August Summer specials September/October -No activities- December 2nd Borinquen Vs. Quisqueya Mountain Bike Jamboree -2006- January 1st. OCOA Trophy Ecoadventure Race Mountain Bike Jamborees A recreational-only event for all categories of cyclists. In Ocoa, it will run first, as a parade around town and then through dirt roads surrounding the Jiguey Lake, ending in the small town of Nizao. Pick up trucks will take the participant back to Ocoa town. A short down hill route would be available to advanced bikers. A second event called Borinquen Vs. Quisqueya (the original aborigine names of the islands) will take place in December. Mountain Bike tourist-format competition The main idea is to have a biking competition available for tourists on weekdays, with a rather short yet exiting route. Awards or trophies could be in form of local art & crafts. Mountain Bike Down Hill Skill-O-Rama This popular variation of mountain biking represents a major market for OCOA. Since the province has a lot of paths in their mountains and valleys, the idea is to operate some specially-designed descends for different types of bikers. You could either compete opting for a reward, in cash or gifts, e.g. beating the time record, or, only for yourself. A pick up services will be available. The 2 Days of Ocoa Local customs such as the Patronales (a once-a-year religious party that last for 10 days) are the ideal moment for a major sport event. For January 2005, a 2-day mountain bike competition, international format, is considered for the last weekend of the festivities. This, in preparation for a much bigger event in year 2006: a multi sport extravaganza, the OCOA Trophy Ecoadventure Race. Nizao River Rafting Race The province has the advantage of have a peaceful river that runs along for kilometers from one valley to another. The river is not deep, clean and safe most of the year. Only in May and October the rains could offer some problems. Floating down the river (a soft kind of rafting) is a major asset for tourism purposes. Thus, rafting services -recreational or competitive- will be available. But, for Eastern Week, although it is tightly followed as an important religious date, it is also taken for vacationing. Thus, sport competitions are well received. For OCOA, thee intention is to compete with Jarabacoa, 150 Kilometers away -crossing the island- versus 90 Kilometer from Santo Domingo in the same South coast, attracting fishermen to the Jiguey Lake. Jarabacoa, by the way, do not have this kind of offer. The OCOA Trophy-Ecoadventure Race After 2 years of preparation, going step by step, we consider that the province will be mature for a major international multi-sport event. Adventure races usually combine biking, trekking/hiking, rappelling, kayaking (or rafting), sometimes, horseback riding or roller-skating. Participants must compete in groups of 4 competitors, with at least one them from the opposite gender. For OCOA, the lay out could be a mix of biking + rafting + hiking/rappelling + trekking. Maybe it could be consider horseback riding also. TRIALS River rafting-Nizao to Jiguey Constanza-Ocoa mountain bike down hill ECOLOGIC EXPEDITIONS The Nizao River Expedition The Ocoa River Expedition |
| OCOA ECOADVENTURE DEVELOPMENT STUDY 2004-2006 |
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