Adompretur Puerto Plata backs Sosúa Beach recovery efforts

Puerto Plata.- Adompretur Puerto Plata has endorsed the government’s efforts to restore and redevelop Sosúa Beach, highlighting the project’s importance in preserving natural resources, boosting tourism, and fostering sustainable development for local communities and visitors. The initiative involves a collaborative effort between key institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, SENPA, MITUR, the Dominican Navy, POLITUR, and Sosúa’s Mayor’s Office.

Antonio Almonte, Secretary General of Adompretur Puerto Plata, emphasized the project’s potential to ensure proper use of the beach, create safe and family-friendly environments, and strengthen the local economy. He urged local authorities to maintain order and ensure compliance with conservation measures, while encouraging the community to support and protect the revitalized spaces.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the project’s implementation, ensuring it aligns with principles of conservation and sustainable development. Adompretur also expressed its readiness to collaborate further, aiming to transform Sosúa Beach into a renewed and welcoming destination for families and tourists alike.

Source: N Digital

Spanish Chamber President: Dominican Republic experiencing peak investment climate

Santo Domingo.- Francisco José Pérez Menéndez, president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic and Air Europa’s local representative, emphasized the country’s thriving conditions for foreign investment. He attributed this success to an improved business environment, enhanced legal security, and streamlined administrative procedures, marking a peak in the nation’s attractiveness to investors.

Spain ranks as the Dominican Republic’s second-largest foreign investor, contributing $668 million in 2023 across tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Despite a trade imbalance—$100 million in Dominican exports to Spain versus $1,000 million in imports—exports to Europe are steadily increasing. Pérez Menéndez also lauded tax incentives as vital for boosting foreign investment and offsetting infrastructure gaps. A notable milestone is the recent contract awarded to a Spanish firm to construct the Cabo Rojo airport in Pedernales.

The Spanish Chamber continues to promote technological and knowledge exchanges, enhancing bilateral trade. Pérez Menéndez expressed optimism about growing interest in renewable energy projects, leveraging the Dominican Republic’s abundant natural resources, such as wind and solar power, to foster sustainable development.

Dominican Republic to launch electronic passports in 2025

Santo Domingo.- The Director General of Passports (DGP), Lorenzo Ramírez, announced that the Dominican Republic will issue its first electronic passport in 2025 as part of a comprehensive modernization plan aimed at transforming the institution into a model of efficiency in public service. Appointed through presidential decree 314-24, Ramírez has prioritized enhancing the institution’s services, revealing that daily capacity has increased to serve around 2,000 citizens. A stabilized electronic appointment system has eliminated long queues, and office hours at Sambil and Megacentro have been extended to Saturdays, with future plans to introduce home delivery of passports.

The introduction of biometric passports, featuring advanced security measures like polycarbonate materials and embedded microchips, aims to reduce identity theft and forgery risks. A rigorous tender process is underway to procure the necessary materials, software, and hardware for the project. Despite the complexity of implementation due to high technological and security requirements, the first electronic passports are expected to roll out next year.

The modernization effort extends to infrastructure upgrades. The current DGP headquarters, built in the 1970s, lacks the space and accessibility required for modern operations. Plans are in motion to relocate most services to a new, state-of-the-art building designed to improve user experience, reduce waiting times, and accommodate expanded technological systems. While some operations will remain at the original site, the transition underscores the institution’s commitment to providing efficient and accessible services to citizens.

Punta Cana: a top thanksgiving travel destination

Punta Cana.- Thanksgiving, traditionally celebrated as a family gathering at home, has evolved into an opportunity for many to explore new destinations. Travelers are increasingly using the holiday to venture abroad, making the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean some of the most sought-after locations. These regions offer direct flights, luxury accommodations, and diverse cultural experiences, appealing to a wide range of preferences.

In the Caribbean, hotspots like Punta Cana, Cancun, and Jamaica attract families and couples seeking sun-soaked escapes. Meanwhile, European cities such as Paris, London, and Barcelona draw tourists with a blend of historic landmarks and festive Christmas markets, which begin around this time. These destinations provide a mix of relaxation and exploration, making them ideal for a Thanksgiving getaway.

Travel statistics from AAA reveal that November 26 to December 2 is the peak period for Thanksgiving bookings. Travelers favor convenient, well-connected locations offering entertainment for all demographics. Popular choices include package deals combining flights, accommodations, and activities, emphasizing efficiency and value during this festive season.

Tourism fuels Dominican economy

Santo Domingo.- The tourism sector in the Dominican Republic has become a key driver of economic growth, generating approximately US$85,469 million in foreign exchange over the past 13 years. In 2023, the industry saw a 17% increase compared to 2022, highlighting its continued expansion. Tourism now accounts for 8.2% of the country’s GDP and represents more than 20% of its foreign currency income.

The Dominican Republic has evolved from a traditional economy to one where services, particularly tourism, are increasingly important. The country’s hotel infrastructure consists of 981 establishments with 87,723 rooms, concentrated mainly in six destinations. Bavaro-Punta Cana, located in La Altagracia province, leads with 60.26% of the rooms, followed by Puerto Plata, the National District, Samana, and San Pedro de Macoris.

The Dominican Republic aims to break its tourism record in 2024 by welcoming 11.5 million visitors, surpassing the 10.3 million who arrived in 2023. Punta Cana’s airport is the busiest, handling over 50% of international arrivals, with the José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport (Las Américas) receiving around 30%. This growth is linked to the concentration of hotel rooms in these regions, particularly in La Altagracia.

JAC expects 1.7 million passengers for the Dominican Republic in December

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s international airports are gearing up for a record-breaking Christmas season, with the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) projecting around 1,755,000 passengers for December 2024. JAC president Hector Porcella highlighted that 956,000 of these travelers will be Dominicans living abroad—primarily in the United States and Europe—returning home for the holidays, while an estimated 798,000 will be outbound passengers. This marks a 6% increase over last year’s holiday season, signaling robust growth in the aviation sector.

Porcella noted the increase in December’s projected air traffic as a promising sign for bolstering the country’s air connectivity and commercial aviation industry. He emphasized that the Christmas season offers an ideal metric for evaluating the sector’s performance, reflecting a notable rise in domestic travelers on both local and international flights.

November 2024 is also expected to see significant air traffic, with approximately 715,000 inbound passengers and 680,000 outbound, totaling around 1,396,000 passengers. Overall, the year is projected to close with 133,850 total flight operations at Dominican airports, up 6% from last year’s 125,000 operations, underscoring the sector’s steady growth.

Punta Cana awarded for excellence in MICE Tourism 2024

Punta Cana.- Punta Cana, a leading holiday destination globally, is gaining recognition in meeting and event tourism (MICE). The destination was recently awarded for “Excellence in the MICE 2024 Segment,” based on a national survey of congress organizers, business conventions, and tourism providers. This acknowledgment highlights Punta Cana’s growing reputation as a top-tier location for meetings and events.

The award, presented in Mexico by Convenciones Latinoamérica magazine, evaluated key aspects such as operational ease, cleanliness, security, hotel diversity, event facilities, and professionalism in the value chain. Punta Cana’s strong airport infrastructure and road connectivity further contributed to its recognition. Efforts by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism, including participation in trade fairs and training initiatives, have bolstered the MICE segment, showcasing the country’s unique offerings for corporate and international events.

MICE tourism plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability and profitability by balancing seasonal demand. Punta Cana’s robust infrastructure, with over 43,000 hotel rooms, many catering to luxury and meetings, positions it as a key player in the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector. The Mexican market continues to drive growth, strengthening ties and reaffirming Punta Cana’s commitment to exceptional service and quality experiences.

Dominican Republic to launch table grape exports in April

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic will begin exporting table grapes in April of next year, according to Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz. These grapes, representing various high-quality varieties, have been planted in five of the 11 identified regions suitable for grape cultivation across the country. The first harvest is expected in the initial months of the year, marking a new export product for the Dominican agricultural sector.

Minister Cruz highlighted that the country already exports a range of fruits—such as bananas, avocados, mangoes, chestnuts, and citrus—to multiple international markets. Additionally, exports include root crops and other produce like cassava, sweet potatoes, coffee, cocoa, bell peppers, and oriental vegetables.

Cruz also assured that the country is well-stocked for the holiday season, with an ample supply of staples including chicken, pork, rice, fruits, and vegetables, ensuring no shortages in the local market.

Source: Hoy

Environment Ministry orders eviction of Luperón Bay Refuge to protect ecosystem

Puerto Plata.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has ordered residents of the Luperón Bay Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Plata to vacate the protected area within 15 days due to significant environmental damage. Minister Paíno Henriquez, who inspected the site, stated that these occupants—about 200 people—are polluting the wetland in the Mangles Abajo sector by dumping waste and building unauthorized structures that disrupt the natural water flow, worsening trash accumulation.

Henríquez has requested assistance from the Ministry of the Presidency to manage the social impact on those affected, with a meeting scheduled to discuss relocation options for the families before their homes are demolished. After the area is vacated, the Ministry plans to promote sustainable tourism development to protect the bay’s valuable ecosystems, which support manatees, seabirds, mangroves, and seagrass meadows—key resources for local economic growth and coastal protection against hurricanes.

Arajet launches non-stop flights between Punta Cana and Guayaquil

Santo Domingo.- Arajet has launched a new non-stop flight route between Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Guayaquil, Ecuador, making it the only airline to offer direct service between the two cities. The route will operate twice a week, with flights departing from Punta Cana on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 10:13 p.m. The return flights from Guayaquil will depart on Mondays at 4:17 a.m. and Fridays at 12:04 p.m. All flights will be operated using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with a capacity of 185 passengers.

The new route will provide residents of Guayaquil with a direct connection to the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, a key tourism hub in the Caribbean. Benjamin Garces, Commercial Consultant at Arajet, highlighted the convenience of this service for travelers. Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, emphasized the significance of the new connection for both tourism and business, reaffirming the airport’s commitment to enhancing services and fostering regional development.

Revitalization of Gri-Gri Lagoon unveiled by President Abinader and Tourism Ministry

Río San Juan, DR.- President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado inaugurated the Gri-Gri Lagoon renovation project in Rio San Juan this Saturday, marking a significant step to boost eco-tourism in this unique natural site. Select media representatives attended the event, providing coverage of the project’s completion and its potential impact on the region’s tourism.

The project, led by the Ministry of Tourism, forms part of a broader investment totaling over 150 million pesos in María Trinidad Sánchez Province from 2021-2024.

The Gri-Gri Lagoon renovation, with an investment of approximately 77 million pesos, addresses a longstanding community demand. The project is set to directly benefit over 70 local families who rely on income from tour guiding, food sales, and restaurant services around the lagoon.

“The new Gri-Gri Lagoon is here to transform the lives of an entire province, fulfilling our commitment to Rio San Juan,” said Minister Collado. “We are delivering a project that goes beyond aesthetic improvements—it’s about progress for countless families,” he added, pledging continued efforts to make Rio San Juan a premier ecotourism destination.

The environmentally friendly renovation covers an area of 3,500 square meters and includes 2,630 square meters of paved access roads to the main plaza surrounding the lagoon. Key features also include accessible ramps and stairways connecting various points around the spring, new public restrooms, a ticket office, indoor and outdoor lighting, concrete seating, waste bins, signage, a photo stop, a small amphitheater for local events, and a nature trail to nearby Los Guardia and Mino beaches. The landscaping highlights the region’s native flora, with abundant Gri-Gri trees, guayigas, magueyito, and ferns.

Through its Infrastructure Committee for Tourism Zones (CEIZTUR), the Ministry of Tourism funded the project with a vision to create a sustainable, accessible, and ecosystem-respectful environment.

Further investments in María Trinidad Sánchez 

Additional completed projects in the province include the construction of the Cabrera waterfront promenade and a pedestrian pathway from Lorenzo Alvarez Street to Calle Duarte, with investments of RD$63.4 million and RD$10.4 million, respectively. Currently, streetlights are being installed along the Cabrera waterfront at an estimated RD$12 million, bringing the Ministry’s total investment in the province to RD$162.7 million.

OPETUR’s “Dominican Destination Guide” project gains strong support from Tourism sector

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican tourism sector is eagerly anticipating the launch of the Dominican Destination Guide, set to be unveiled in January 2025. This comprehensive guide will serve as a vital tool for promoting Dominican tourism, featuring both traditional and emerging destinations, along with key tourist experiences. Major companies in the industry, including Turenlaces del Caribe, GESTUR, Aerodom, Casa de Campo, and many others, have confirmed their participation in the project.

The interactive format of the guide will provide an engaging experience, showcasing not only popular tourist spots but also sustainable community tourism and emerging products like theme parks. Bataglia encouraged all tourism stakeholders to participate in this initiative, which she believes will play a key role in boosting the country’s tourism sector.

The Dominican Destination Guide 2025 will offer essential information on top tourist areas, excursions, and unique travel experiences, available in both print and digital formats. With distribution in hotels, travel agencies, and other strategic locations nationwide, this guide offers excellent advertising opportunities for businesses, including full-page, half-page, and advertorial placements. Managed by Grupo Sarma, a leading tourism marketing company, the guide will help enhance the country’s tourism appeal. Advertising space is available until November 30, 2024.

JAC expects 1.7 million passengers for the Dominican Republic in December

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s international airports are gearing up for a record-breaking Christmas season, with the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) projecting around 1,755,000 passengers for December 2024. JAC president Hector Porcella highlighted that 956,000 of these travelers will be Dominicans living abroad—primarily in the United States and Europe—returning home for the holidays, while an estimated 798,000 will be outbound passengers. This marks a 6% increase over last year’s holiday season, signaling robust growth in the aviation sector.

Porcella noted the increase in December’s projected air traffic as a promising sign for bolstering the country’s air connectivity and commercial aviation industry. He emphasized that the Christmas season offers an ideal metric for evaluating the sector’s performance, reflecting a notable rise in domestic travelers on both local and international flights.

November 2024 is also expected to see significant air traffic, with approximately 715,000 inbound passengers and 680,000 outbound, totaling around 1,396,000 passengers. Overall, the year is projected to close with 133,850 total flight operations at Dominican airports, up 6% from last year’s 125,000 operations, underscoring the sector’s steady growth.

Netherlands praises maritime agreement with Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Frank Keurhorst, the Netherlands’ ambassador to the Dominican Republic, has commended the recent maritime delimitation agreement between the two nations as a significant step in strengthening their bilateral relationship. Through an interpreter, Keurhorst described the treaty as beneficial for both countries, emphasizing the thorough negotiation process that ensured respect for each nation’s sovereignty and included detailed technical evaluations from both sides. While the Dutch Parliament has already approved the agreement, the Dominican Republic’s decision is still pending.

Keurhorst highlighted the collaborative nature of the negotiations, responding to Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez’s recent statement that the Dominican Republic gained territory through this treaty. The ambassador confirmed that the agreement establishes a fair maritime boundary, fostering cooperation and a solid, mutually respectful partnership.

Minister Álvarez clarified that the agreement resulted in a gain of 11 nautical miles for the Dominican Republic, countering claims that the nation surrendered territorial waters. Mirex officials argued that critics of the Constitutional Court’s decision to ratify the agreement lack understanding of the specifics discussed during the negotiation.

Puerto Plata Civil Defense closes beaches due to strong waves

The Civil Defense of the province of Puerto Plata reported this Saturday that the Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee (CPMR) decided to close all beaches as a preventive measure due to the strong waves and winds caused by a trough in the town and other areas of the country.

The orange director in the area, Whascar García, indicated that a red flag was placed on all beaches. In addition, preventive measures per iPhone were carried out in the most vulnerable communities to preserve the lives of bathers and vacationers.

It should be noted that this past Friday morning, Juan Salas, the executive director of the relief institution, held a virtual meeting with the provincial directors and governors of the provinces under yellow and green alert to monitor and coordinate actions in the face of the heavy rains that are affecting the national territory.

“We remain vigilant against any eventuality that may arise in the next few hours due to the cold front and the rains. It is a commitment that we have as a response and prevention institution to keep society well informed,” said Salas.

In the virtual meeting, representatives of Supérate and the Single System of Beneficiaries (SIUBEN) were also present, who joined the preventive work.

Air Century unveils Gulfstream IV-SP luxury jet at World Travel Expo

Santo Domingo.- Air Century recently showcased its charter flight services at the World Travel Expo (WTE) in Miami Beach. Represented by Farah Kasse, commercial agent for the charter division, the airline highlighted its diverse fleet, which includes the Gulfstream IV-SP luxury jet for business or family travel and the CRJ200, a 50-passenger aircraft suited for group travel, such as sports teams. The airline also presented flexible catering options tailored to customer preferences, emphasizing the luxury and personalization of its services.

Kasse noted that participating in WTE was a significant opportunity to attract new clients and build strategic partnerships, particularly showcasing the Gulfstream GIV for its luxury and comfort.

Known for over 30 years of exclusive flight experiences, Air Century aims to reinforce its reputation with its charter services. Besides charter flights, the airline operates regular routes from La Isabela and Punta Cana to Caribbean destinations like Havana, Sint Maarten, and Aruba, supporting regional connectivity and tourism development across the Caribbean.

Dominican tourism sets record with over 8 million visitors in 2024

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector reached a historic milestone with 8,362,285 visitors from January to September, the highest number ever recorded for this period. Tourism Minister David Collado announced the figures, highlighting 580,617 visitors in September alone—468,916 arriving by air and 111,701 by sea. This marks a 55% increase over September 2019 and 21% over 2022.

So far in 2024, the country has welcomed 6,430,400 air travelers and 1,931,896 cruise passengers. Minister Collado noted this total visitor count reflects a 45% rise from 2019, a 36% increase from 2022, and a 10% increase from 2023. He projects the year will end with 11.5 million visitors, setting a new record.

Leading tourist sources include the United States (39%), Canada (9%), and Colombia (8%). Punta Cana Airport received the most visitors at 56%, followed by Las Américas at 27% and Cibao at 12%.

Asonahores and Aderes unveil seventh edition of Restaurant Week 2024

Santo Domingo.- The Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) and the Dominican Association of Restaurants (Aderes) have announced the upcoming seventh edition of Restaurant Week Santo Domingo, set to take place from November 11 to 17, 2024. This gastronomic event will feature over 90 iconic restaurants, including those within hotels, showcasing a diverse array of flavors unique to Santo Domingo.

David Llibre, president of Asonahores, emphasized the event’s goal to elevate the city’s culinary scene and position the Dominican Republic as a leading gastronomic destination in the region. Omar Cepeda, president of Aderes, noted that Restaurant Week is an opportunity for both the culinary sector and food enthusiasts to experience a variety of Dominican dishes at an exceptional level. During this week, diners can choose between a two-course tasting menu priced at RD$1,395.00 plus tax or a three-course menu for RD$1,795.00 plus tax, with the latter options not including drinks.

This year’s Restaurant Week expands its reach, including regions in the East and North of the country, with a vision of establishing a national gastronomic route. Diners can explore restaurant offerings and special promotions on the website www.sdqgastronomico.com. They will also have the chance to vote for their favorite establishments, which will be evaluated based on the criteria set by the Dominican Academy of Gastronomy. The event is supported by several sponsors, including American Express, the Ministry of Tourism, and various local beverage and food companies.

Puerto Plata consolidates in cruise ships: it will receive 46 ships in November

Puerto Plata is preparing to receive the arrival of 46 cruise ships during the month of November. The vessels will arrive through the ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay, which play a strategic role in strengthening tourism in the region.

The director of the northern regional of Tourism, Atahualpa Paulino, reported that 22 of these cruise ships will dock at Amber Cove, operated by Carnival Corporation, while the remaining 24 will arrive at Taino Bay, under the management of ITM Group.

“This volume of arrivals reaffirms Puerto Plata’s position as a key destination for the cruise industry in the Caribbean,” he said.

Paulino stressed that the Dominican Republic continues to consolidate itself as the main HUB for cruises in the Caribbean. The support from the Government has allowed this province to become the one with the highest volume of cruise ship arrivals and tourist reception, contributing to the local economy and generating opportunities for the community.

Each arrival is expected to contribute significantly to local trade and services, thus boosting the tourism destination’s economy, according to NDigital.

Thanks to the collaboration between the public and private sectors, Puerto Plata projects a future of continuous growth in cruise tourism, reaffirming its role as a pillar of tourism in the region.

Dominican economy accumulates average growth of 5.1%, says Central Bank

Santo Domingo—The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), in the interest of keeping economic agents and the public opinion in general duly informed and as part of its institutional commitment to transparency and timely disclosure of data under its responsibility, informs the preliminary results of economic activity as of September 2024.

The monthly indicator of economic activity (IMAE) registered an expansion of 4.7% during September of this year, accumulating an average inter-annual growth of 5.1% from January to September 2024.

This performance has taken place in an environment of price stability, in which inflation has remained in the lower part of the target range of 4.0 % ± 1.0 % this year. The monetary and fiscal policies implemented have allowed us to overcome the risk factors for the Dominican economy’s performance in a timely manner.

In this sense, it is essential to point out that the trajectory observed by the economic activity shows the resilience of the national productive apparatus in the current global context, in which the expectations of economic agents have been affected by the uncertainty associated with the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Despite the global outlook, the United States of America (USA), the country’s main trading partner, presented a year-on-year growth of 2.7% in the third quarter of 2024. Year-on-year inflation stood at 2.4 % in September, showing a soft landing towards its target.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve decided at its most recent meeting in September to reduce its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) and is expected to continue lowering it in the remaining period of 2024. In this context, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its growth projection for 2024 at 2.8 %, an increase of 0.2 percentage points.

In addition, the expansion of the IMAE in January-September places the Dominican Republic as the economy with the highest inter-annual increase concerning its Latin American peers, according to the latest information available to date published by the countries.

Likewise, this result aligns with the forecasts of different international organizations and the government’s inter-institutional macroeconomic framework, whose projections point to an expansion of around 5.0% and place the country as the leader in economic activity growth in the region by the end of 2024.

The inter-annual variation of 5.1 % in January-September 2024 is due to the performance of activities such as construction (4.4 %) and free trade zone manufacturing (6.5 %), highlighting that exports under this regime amounted to US$6,404.1 million in the referred period. Likewise, service activities as a whole showed an accumulated increase of 5.3% concerning the same period of the previous year, among which financial intermediation (7.9%), hotels, bars and restaurants (6.3%), transportation and storage (5.9%), real estate and rental activities (5.7%) and communications (5.1%) stand out.

Concerning financial intermediation, this activity presented an inter-annual increase in its real aggregate value of 7.9 % in January-September, influenced by the 16.2 % expansion of credit granted to the private sector in local currency, equivalent to RD$309,554.3 million additional for September of the previous year.

An important aspect to highlight is that although mining recorded an average inter-annual variation of -6.1 % in January-September, this activity presented a positive result in August by 8.5 % and September by 16.9 %, sustained by the increase in gold production in the country’s main deposit.

Regarding construction, this sector showed an inter-annual variation of 4.4% in the January-September period, reflected in the increase in sales volumes of the main inputs used in developing infrastructure works.

The added value of the hotels, bars, and restaurants activity experienced an inter-annual variation of 6.3 % in January-September, which has been significantly influenced by passengers’ arrivals through the different airport terminals. By the end of this year, some 8.5 million tourists are expected to arrive.

Finally, the Dominican economy is in an excellent position to maintain a growth rate around its potential, considering the strength of its macroeconomic fundamentals, the resilience of the productive sectors, and the improvement in country risk indicators in international markets.