Collado apologizes for delays in Colonial City renovation

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 14, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~1 min

Tourism Minister David Collado has come clean: the renovation of the Colonial City is moving slower than expected. As reported by Arecoa, Collado expressed regret and apologized to business owners, residents and tourists who have endured the disruption of transforming the first European settlement in the Americas.

I see this as a classy political move: owning the frustration instead of hiding it. But here's the thing: apologizing without a concrete timeline can feel hollow. The Colonial Zone is Santo Domingo's tourism showcase, and every day of delay means lost revenue for restaurants, museums and boutique hotels in the historic quarter.

My take? Collado had the guts to show his face, and in this industry that matters. Now it's time to speed up and prove that those apologies turn into finished pavement and cobblestones. The end result, a renewed, pedestrian-friendly Colonial City, will be a game-changer for Dominican cultural tourism. Let's get it done.

Quick questions

Who apologized for the Colonial City works delays?

Tourism Minister David Collado issued a public apology for the delays and disruptions caused by the renovation.

Why are the Colonial City renovation works delayed?

The exact cause isn't specified, but Collado acknowledged the delay and apologized to those affected.

Who is affected by the Colonial City delays?

Local businesses, residents and tourists facing street closures, noise and dust during the historic district transformation.

What benefits will the Colonial City renovation bring?

A renewed, pedestrian-friendly historic center that boosts cultural tourism, restaurants, museums and boutique hotels.

Is it a good sign that a minister offers a public apology?

Yes, it shows transparency. Now the challenge is to turn those apologies into completed works with clear deadlines.

Was this article useful?

The daily brief

The Dominican tourism brief, in your inbox

Hotels, airlines, MITUR, cruises and destinations. One sharp email a day. Free.

I accept the terms

The brief Dominican travel professionals read every morning.

Editorial content by Turismo News. It may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source.

This article may mention third-party products, companies or services for informational purposes. Turismo News does not endorse them and is not responsible for them or for what they offer. Editorial content curated by the Turismo News team.

← Back to Turismo News

Turismo News is an independent digest. It is not the official site of any brand mentioned. Content is editorial and curated, and may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source. This is not financial, legal or investment advice. Some links or blocks may be sponsored or affiliate. Trademarks belong to their owners. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click, and you can request access or deletion of your data at turismo.news/contact.

⚙ Admin