looking to buy business in DR

Hey, generally speaking - I would be very careful about it and very careful about doing business in DR.
if you speak no Spanish, have no concept of local mentality and reality - I would suggest reconsidering your choices.
as for hotel in Barahona region - it is beautiful region, but not so many tourists go there and the beaches are rocky with usually very dangerous tide and waves.
unless you plan to make it available for some kind of package tourists and make some deal with travel agencies from Europe/ US I see no real possibilities to make money here.Barahona can be tourist destination for local people from SD, but will it be sufficient ? I doubt about it.
Sosua and Cabarete are popular - but there are already 10's of hotels there...

Welcome to the forums.   You are one step ahead of most as you have experience in your industry!!   Barahona is the "new" hotspot but  maybe years away from  full development.   NOrth Coast has been suffering a few years but is set up to  improve. Next  October the new Carnival cruise terminal opens which will directly effect Puerto Plata area but not likely Sosua or Cabarete.  Keep that in mind.

Bayahibe,  Bavaro and Punta Cana are hot spots.  But everything there is very expensive so you may have to really search for an opportunity.

Realtors -  no MLS type system so  they represent there own listings and really don't want to help you find someone else's listing.....

I have helped several clients buy companies here.  But,  I am really not available to help other then answering questions here or by  private message.

Remember buyer beware here.  Get a good lawyer. Double check everything!