Miches, the Dominican Republic | Promoting Regenerative Tourism with a Turtle Conservation Program

Miches, a town located in El Seibo province on the inspiring northeast coast of the Dominican Republic between the northern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental and the southern shore of the stunning Samaná Bay, less than one hour from Punta Cana, in an area of high ecological value, historically a nesting site for sea turtle species such as the leatherback, hawksbill and green turtles is promoting regenerative tourism with Protortug with a turtle conservation program.

The arrival of mass tourism and a lack of environmental awareness have put sea turtles habitats at risks, and Miches, a natural paradise in the Caribbean region becomes an example of sustainable tourism thanks to Protortuga, an initiative that protects sea turtles and promotes a more conscious development model.

Prototortuga is an initiative implemented through an agreement between the El – Seibo Miches Hotel and Tourism Association, PROMICHES, and the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, whose objectiveis to guarantee the best conditions for the reproduction of sea turtles on the beaches of Miches and Lavacarna, based on a Public - Private Community alliance that prioritize resilient and regenerative tourism development in the Dominican Republic.

The program combines science, education, and community participation to ensure the protection of these reptiles of the order Testudines  and their ecosystem.

What sets Protortuga apart is the collaborative approach of hotels and resorts like Zemi Miches, Club Med, and other hospitality groups in the area work alongside NGOs, environmental authorities, and residents to ensure that the destination growth does not come at the expense of biodiversity. 

The vision of Protortuga is to consolidate itself as the Dominican Republic’s most robust sea turtle conservation program, recognised for increasing recorded nesting events, building impactful partnerships, and authoring valuable scientific contributions.

The mission of the program is to monitor and protect sea turtle sites in the Miches and Lavacarna regions, via strong partnerships between the public sector, private tourism industry and local communities.

Nowadays, this public - private partnership has improved hatchling survival rates and raised awareness among visitors.

The specific actions led by Protortuga are : 

•    Monitoring the beaches looking to identify mothers and nests in order to mark, register and protect them. 
•    Educate every actor that comes into direct or indirect contact with sea turtle reproduction, from local residents to tourists, about the importance of sea turtles and how human behaviour impacts their environment.
•     Promote scientific research and the dissemination of data related to sea turtle conservation activities, in order to contribute to international efforts.   
•    Promote the socioeconomic inclusion of the community in sea turtle conservation.

The initiatives include night patrols to detect nests, relocation to controlled nurseries, and safe release of hatchlings. 

In addition, residents, fishermen, and tourism workers are trained to become guardians of the marine environment and environmental education in local schools is also a key part of the project.

Miches thus positions itself as a an attractive tourist destination in the Caribbean region that not only offers pristine beaches and unique landscapes, but also responsible experiences that connect travellers with nature.

Protecting sea turtles is not only an ecological initiative, is also a strategic pillar for regenerative tourism that benefits everyone : wildlife, the community, and visitors.

Links 
https://protortuga.com/en/about-us/
https://en.travel2latam.com/news-99189-miches-promotes-regenerative-tourism-with-a-turtle-conservation-program