1. Founded in 1987, Grupo KSI will celebrate four decades of activity in 2027. How has the company evolved since its inception, and what principles have guided its growth in markets such as Puerto Plata, Santiago and Miches, as well as internationally?
Over nearly four decades, we have built hotels, residential developments, roads and water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the Dominican Republic. We have developed approximately 20 to 25 residential projects nationally, including around 15 in Puerto Plata and three in Santiago. We have also contributed to hotel development in Puerto Plata and expanded our activities into other regions.
Our experience extends beyond the Dominican Republic. Between 1998 and 2003, we worked on a gold mine in Nicaragua and developed approximately 7,000 affordable homes there, priced between $15,000 and $20,000. At the time, many people doubted that lower- and middle-income families could afford homeownership. However, we believed in these families and their determination to work hard, acquire land and gradually pay for their homes.
That philosophy has always been important to me. Our development has been driven by a willingness to adapt to the country's needs, diversify our expertise and create opportunities for people.
2. Puerto Plata is experiencing renewed tourism momentum, driven by cruise tourism, improved connectivity and projects such as Punta Bergantín. What role can real estate development play in this transformation, and how can the North Coast regain its position among the Caribbean's leading destinations?
Puerto Plata is experiencing a very positive period, following approximately two decades of recovery and investment. The public and private sectors have worked together to improve essential infrastructure, including drinking water and wastewater management, while the development of cruise terminals has strengthened the destination's international appeal.
The city now benefits from major cruise operators, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean, alongside other international brands. Cruise tourism has grown substantially, and there is potential to increase annual passenger numbers from approximately 2.5 million to three million.
Punta Bergantín represents another important opportunity. Like Playa Dorada, which began developing in 1978 and continues to evolve with new hotels and golf facilities, Punta Bergantín is a long-term project that could transform the region over the next 10 to 15 years.
Connectivity will be decisive. Improved highway links between Puerto Plata and Santiago will connect the coast more effectively with the Cibao region, which has a population of approximately two million people. Santiago could become a major source of domestic tourism demand for Puerto Plata, just as improved road infrastructure helped stimulate development in Punta Cana and other destinations.
3. Miches is emerging as one of the Dominican Republic's most promising tourism destinations, attracting investment in luxury hotels and sustainable tourism. What potential do you see for real estate development there, and how can growth preserve the area's natural appeal?
I first visited Miches in 2021, shortly after the pandemic, and immediately recognised its extraordinary potential. I was born in Puerto Plata, and Miches reminded me of the North Coast as I knew it in the 1980s: beautiful beaches, coconut trees and exceptional natural surroundings.
At that time, the area had very limited hotel infrastructure. Since then, development has accelerated considerably. We have invested in Miches, established a concrete plant and completed a hotel approximately a year ago. Together with our partners, we are also involved in a land development project covering approximately 800,000 square metres, with the possibility of building residential properties in the future.
We are supplying concrete for the Four Seasons project and expect to support additional hotel developments. The destination has grown from approximately 250 hotel rooms when I first visited to around 2,500 today, illustrating the scale of its transformation.
Miches is approximately an hour from Punta Cana's airport, and further road improvements should strengthen its accessibility. I am convinced that it has an exceptional future. However, development must be carefully managed so that its natural beauty remains one of its greatest assets.
4. One of Grupo KSI's distinguishing characteristics is its ability to work across different stages of development, from land preparation and infrastructure to construction and project delivery. What advantages does this diversified model offer in terms of quality, cost control and execution?
Our approach depends on what the client needs. In some markets, companies specialise in a single activity, such as roads, sanitation, water infrastructure or hotel construction. In the Dominican Republic, however, development has often required companies to be more versatile.
Over the past four decades, we have diversified because the country has needed different types of infrastructure at different stages of its development. At times, hotel projects were limited, while roads, wastewater treatment plants and other essential infrastructure were urgently needed.
We have therefore built the experience to respond to a wide range of requirements. This flexibility is particularly valuable in a relatively small country where tourism, residential development and public infrastructure are closely interconnected.
Ultimately, our priority is to deliver what the client requires while maintaining the standards and reliability expected of an experienced construction and development company.
5. The Caribbean must account for seismic activity, extreme weather events and environmental considerations when planning for the future. How does Grupo KSI incorporate safety and resilience into its projects?
The starting point is compliance with the applicable building codes and structural regulations. Responsible engineers must understand the risks and ensure that buildings are designed and constructed according to the required standards.
I remember the earthquake that affected Puerto Plata in 2003, measuring approximately 6.3 to 6.4 in magnitude. Because we had built numerous properties in the area, I personally went to inspect our buildings. None of them suffered damage.
That experience reinforced my conviction that engineers must take their responsibilities seriously. Buildings must be designed according to the relevant structural requirements, and public authorities must ensure that regulations are properly applied.
The same principle applies to investors and property buyers: they should work with responsible developers and verify that projects comply with the applicable standards. Construction quality and regulatory compliance are fundamental to protecting people and safeguarding long-term investment.
6. As tourism expands beyond Punta Cana, what infrastructure and services will be essential to ensure that destinations such as Puerto Plata and Miches develop sustainably?
Water supply, wastewater management and effective urban planning are essential. Miches has benefited from the development of an aqueduct, while hotels are implementing their own wastewater treatment plants. Cooperation between the government, the Ministry of Tourism and the private sector is helping to establish a more sustainable development model.
Puerto Plata's recovery demonstrates the importance of addressing infrastructure challenges. The destination already has an established airport and wastewater infrastructure, although further work is needed to complete collection networks and expand water supply capacity.
Developing an established destination with existing infrastructure can be faster than building a tourism centre from scratch. At the same time, emerging destinations must avoid repeating past mistakes. Uncontrolled development can damage natural resources, place pressure on public services and leave local communities behind.
The social dimension is particularly important. Tourism growth must benefit residents as well as investors. With coordinated planning and cooperation between the public and private sectors, the Dominican Republic can continue expanding its tourism industry without compromising the qualities that make its destinations attractive.
7. What makes the Dominican Republic an attractive destination for international real estate investment, and how do legal protections and tourism incentives such as CONFOTUR contribute to investor confidence?
The Dominican Republic offers a favourable legal framework, established property rights and a stable environment for private investment. Investors need confidence that their ownership rights will be protected and that the rules governing their projects will be respected.
The country has also benefited from sustained economic development over the past five decades. These conditions have helped attract substantial foreign capital, particularly into the hotel industry.
Tourism incentives under the CONFOTUR framework can provide qualifying projects with tax exemptions for a specified period, potentially improving their investment economics. The precise benefits depend on the applicable legislation and the project's eligibility.
Spanish investors and hotel groups have played a particularly important role in developing the Dominican tourism industry, bringing international brands, operational expertise and capital to the country. Their experience demonstrates the opportunities available to other international investors.
I hope to see more American and other international luxury brands enter the market, particularly in destinations that are still developing and have room for new investment.
8. Investors from the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries have extensive experience in large-scale tourism, hospitality and real estate development. Where do you see the strongest opportunities for partnerships with Grupo KSI?
I believe the North Coast offers particularly attractive opportunities. Puerto Plata benefits from its geographical position, established tourism infrastructure and proximity to the United States. Its cruise connections and improved accessibility provide additional advantages.
There is considerable potential for investment in new-generation hotels, luxury hospitality, residential developments and integrated tourism projects. Punta Bergantín is an example of the kind of long-term development that could attract international partners seeking to participate in the next phase of the country's tourism expansion.
The region's prospects are also supported by its connection to Santiago and the wider Cibao region. As road infrastructure improves, the North Coast will become more accessible to a larger population and benefit from stronger links between business, residential and tourism markets.
I believe Puerto Plata has excellent prospects over the next 15 years. International investors who partner with experienced local developers can contribute to this growth while benefiting from local knowledge and established relationships.
9. Looking ahead five to ten years, what is your vision for Grupo KSI and the Dominican Republic's real estate market?
My vision is to see the Dominican Republic continue to grow sustainably, with particular emphasis on the North Coast and the Cibao region. I want to ensure that Puerto Plata develops in an organised way, with the infrastructure and public services necessary to support its expanding population and tourism industry.
We also have significant opportunities in residential development. One of our key projects is Hacienda Gurabo, a private residential community located on a natural hillside in Santiago. Designed for those who value privacy, elevated views, natural surroundings and a long-term vision, the development comprises more than 1,000 residential plots with open views across the city. The plots are integrated organically into the natural topography, with a focus on exclusivity and long-term value.
Hacienda Gurabo is conceived as a residential community that combines its natural setting with amenities such as ecological trails, cultural spaces, a children's park and a commercial plaza. Its strategic location, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Santiago and Cibao International Airport, as well as its convenient access to the Autopista del Ámbar connecting the region with Puerto Plata and its beaches, further strengthens its appeal.
Projects such as Hacienda Gurabo reflect our commitment to developing residential communities that combine location, quality of life and long-term investment potential. Santiago and the wider Cibao region have considerable opportunities for growth, particularly as connectivity improves and the relationship between the region's urban centres and coastal destinations becomes stronger.
My family is also an important part of the company's future. My children are entrepreneurial, and I participate in their ventures while allowing them to develop their own ideas and businesses. Over the next decade, I expect the next generation to play an increasingly important role in Grupo KSI's development.
Above all, I want to leave a positive legacy in Puerto Plata. That means contributing to its economic development while ensuring that water, sanitation and other essential infrastructure keep pace with growth. If the city is to accommodate a substantially larger population, public authorities and the private sector must work together to plan responsibly.
I would be proud to know that Grupo KSI played a meaningful role in the development of Puerto Plata, Santiago and other parts of the Dominican Republic, creating lasting value for residents and investors while helping preserve the character and natural beauty of the country.
10. Finally, what message would you like to convey to Gulf News readers, particularly investors considering opportunities in Puerto Plata and Miches?
The Dominican Republic offers international investors significant opportunities, supported by property rights, an established private sector and a tourism industry with considerable room for further development.
Puerto Plata and Miches are particularly interesting because they represent different stages of tourism growth. Puerto Plata is an established destination undergoing a new phase of expansion, while Miches offers opportunities to participate in the development of an emerging market.
Investors from the Gulf should look at the success of Spanish hotel groups in the Dominican Republic and consider the potential to establish similar partnerships here. International capital, strong brands and experienced local developers can work together to create successful projects.
The North Coast has a very promising future, and we are open to partnerships with investors who want to be part of its development.
At Grupo KSI, we know the region well, and we are committed to contributing to its progress. Investors can count on our experience, our knowledge of the local market and our willingness to collaborate.
Our country has much to offer, and I encourage international investors to explore the opportunities available here.
