Dominic Jose Baca
Hospitality | Professional Recognition
Dominic Jose Baca, Recognized at The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Conventions and Tourism
Dominic brings 10 years of experience and dual master's degrees in International Business and Latin American Studies to advance economic growth through destination sales. Specializing in hospitality, tourism, and cross-cultural engagement, he fosters connections that increase visitation, generate revenue, and promote inclusive development—strengthening local economies through strategic travel and event initiatives.
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'More powers' needed to protect residents during major events
Major events, such as The Open, are putting a spotlight on and "exacerbating" the issue of the housing crisis on the north coast, according to MLA Sian Mulholland. She has called for greater powers for local authorities in "weighing the needs of a tourist economy, while building sustainable local communities". A Sheffield Hallam University report estimates this year's Open event will generate £213m in combined economic and media benefit to Northern Ireland. However, a mother-of-three has told BBC News NI she is facing homelessness after the lease on her rental property wasn't renewed, and believes it is to allow the home to be turned into a holiday rental. The woman, who doesn't want to be identified because of her work, said she and her children are due to leave their Portrush home next week. "There are a lot of local people being kicked out of their houses for the golf because of pure greed," she told BBC News NI. She has been renting the property for five years, but claims she was told her landlord has considered turning it into holiday accommodation. "The golf is only one week long, but there are rumours people are renting out their houses for over £10,000 for the week," the woman said. BBC News NI has seen properties advertised online for up to £81,000 for one week between 14-21 July. "The day that we're going to become homeless is looming closer and closer," she said. "I have this really horrible feeling that what is about to happen is going to deeply traumatise my children and I feel so powerless and helpless in this situation." Demand for housing in the area means she says she's been turned down for every home she's applied for in Portrush, Coleraine, and Ballymoney. "I can give no more. I'm working every day from morning to very late at night. It feels really painful. I'm getting desperate," she added. "I don't want to move around, I want to stay put and settle down in a family home and not move anymore for the sake of my kids and myself." Mulholland said: "The Open and other major events definitely did not cause the housing crisis it's just putting a spotlight and exacerbating the issue particularly around that short term let. "There is a fine balance to be had and that's why my party has called on government at both assembly level, and at local level, to give councils more regulatory powers to be able to cap the amount of short term lets. "We've asked for a ban on no fault evictions, we want to see tenants protected and promote a safe and affordable home for all," she said. Controls have been introduced in some parts of the UK and Europe in an attempt to tackle similar issues and increase housing stock for locals. Rules to prevent new houses in the Yorkshire Dales from being used as holiday homes were recently approved. In Scotland, a Highland-wide control zone to limit Airbnb-style lets has also been proposed. Paddy Gray, professor emeritus of housing at Ulster University, said there will be consequences if the housing issue is ignored in Northern Ireland. "If we continue doing this, it will cause a depopulation of local communities. "It will mean areas that have properties lying empty for a long period of time with very little activity and communities not being able to form properly if young people have to move out. "That's why they [politicians] really have to take stock and do something because this has been going on for a few years now." Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he is considering all of the options. "It's important that we have a proper evidence base first before we make any decisions," he said. "That's being gathered up as we speak so that we hopefully will have an opportunity to get that information and then take policy decisions on the back of that." Lyons said he recognises there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but said The Open is a "fantastic opportunity". "There will be a huge number of visitors coming to Northern Ireland and to the north coast in particular, that is a good thing." Tourism NI has estimated that golf tourism is worth almost £70m to the economy annually. Calls for rules to curb north coast holiday homes North coast property boom 'pushes locals away'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan, with solo travelers and tour groups gradually venturing into a country that until recently was wracked by war. And the country's Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognized by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them. 'The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them,' Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press in an early June interview. 'Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them.' A potentially lucrative industry Tourism is a vital, multi-billion-dollar industry for many countries. Afghanistan's isolation on the international stage, largely because of the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls, has left much of its 41 million people mired in poverty. As it struggles to attract foreign investment, the lucrative potential of tourism is far from lost on the government. 'We are currently earning a considerable amount of revenue from this industry, and we are hopeful it will grow even more in the future,' Jamal said, noting money spent by visitors can reach more layers of society than revenue from other industries. 'We are optimistic this sector will evolve into a large economy, bringing significant benefits. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy.' Trickle rather than a flood Tourist visas are quick and easy to obtain and flights from major transit hubs such as Dubai and Istanbul operate several times a week. The government has even set up a training institute for men — and it is only for men — seeking jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector. While visitor numbers are still very much a trickle rather than a flood, they are increasing. Nearly 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, while nearly 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year, Jamal said. Four decades of near-continuous conflict kept nearly all vacationers away from this landlocked country of towering mountains, deep gorges and millennia of history. The Taliban's takeover from a U.S.-backed government in August 2021 stunned the world and sent thousands of Afghans fleeing. But with the insurgency over, the bloodshed from frequent bombings and suicide attacks all but ended too. Attacks still occur, however. An Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan remains active and gunmen killed six people, including three Spanish tourists, in a May 2024 attack in Bamiyan, one of the country's main tourist attractions where centuries-old giant Buddhas carved into the cliffs were blown up by the Taliban in 2001. While Western countries still advise against travel to Afghanistan, a drop in violence from the two decades of U.S.-led military presence is indisputable, as the government is keen to point out. 'Afghanistan has gone through many years of war and hardship. Now, we want tourists to come and see the true traditions and customs of Afghans, to understand Afghan life, creativity and resilience,' Jamal said, noting there was 'comprehensive security across Afghanistan.' An ethical dilemma Critics question the ethics of foreigners visiting Afghanistan for pleasure when its government discriminates so heavily against half the country's population. Education beyond primary school level is banned for girls and women and few professions are open to them. Women cannot enter parks, gardens or gyms. Beauty salons are forbidden. Authorities dictate how women dress and have demanded they cover their faces in public, a decree still flouted by many, particularly in Kabul. Some visitors say they contemplated the ethics, but ultimately wanted to see the situation for themselves. French-Peruvian Illary Gomez said she and her British partner, James Liddiard, debated for about a year whether to drive through Afghanistan as part of their U.K.-to-Japan camper van journey. 'Some things didn't feel morally right,' she said. But once here, they said they found a warm, hospitable and welcoming people and beautiful landscapes. They didn't feel their presence was any form of support for the Taliban. By traveling, 'you put money in the hands of the people, not the government,' Liddiard said. Building bridges The treatment of women is particularly sensitive for government officials. Jamal declined to comment on the subject beyond saying male and female visitors were welcome. 'Those who respect our laws and traditions have already come and can continue to come,' he said. While most restrictions are strictly enforced on Afghan women, they are far more relaxed for foreigners. Although they must still wear a headscarf in public, foreign women are more likely to gain entry into some restricted areas such as parks and are rarely asked to cover their faces in public. Opening the country to foreign visitors was also a way of building bridges, Jamal said. 'It is a great way to promote interaction between the people of different countries. It helps build international relations and is also beneficial for trade,' he told the AP. 'When foreigners come here, Afghans also learn a lot from them. In addition to expanding commerce, tourism also helps foster mutual understanding, cultural exchange and strengthens talents as people learn from one another.' A foreign traveler seeing the country with his own eyes 'creates closeness, builds connections and fosters trust among people,' Jamal said. 'They will respect each other's culture and the distance between peoples will diminish. 'So this is not just economic development; it also brings spiritual and political benefits,' he said.
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them
KABUL, Afghanistan — By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan , with solo travelers and tour groups gradually venturing into a country that until recently was wracked by war. And the country's Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognized by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them.
