Foro Asonahores: Dominican Republic registers historical investments for more than US $ 550 million

 Entity ensures bookings for the end of the year remain strong

 They anticipate recovery and consolidation of the sector by 2022

The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic ( Asonahores ) celebrated the fourth edition of its “Tourism Investment Forum” with a closing of the year of historical figures in the sector, in particular with investments of more than $550 million in tourism projects even in times of pandemic. The activity was attended by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and with the virtual participation of the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili.

Investments include the launch of the new destinations in Miches and Pedernales, the consolidation of the offer in Santo Domingo, with multiple new hotels under development, and the development of Santiago, with investments that aim to consolidate that city as a world-class urban destination. There is also the new Taino Park cruise terminal in Puerto Plata; hotels in Montecristi; the expansion of the eastern destination, with theme parks, multiple new hotels, and remodeling of existing facilities.

In addition to the new projects, the president of Asonahores, Rafael Blanco Tejera, highlighted that the Dominican Republic received 519 thousand foreigners. This historical record exceeds the month of November, the year 2020, 2019, and also 2018. He also noted that future projections are even more optimistic.

“December bookings remain strong, so we estimate that we will close 2021 with more than 4.6 million arrivals. But of equal importance is that in 2022 we are going to consolidate the recovery of the sector as we have historical reservation levels for the following high season.”, He assured.

The Forum featured presentations by: Raúl Hoyo, CEO GAM Capital; Alberto Cruz, president of the Excel Group; Joel Santos, general manager of AFP Reservas, and José Gior Ariza, senior partner of Investa Capital Partners, in the panel “Capital Markets: financing alternative for the Tourism Sector.”

In the second panel of the event, “Investment in Projects in Different Tourist Poles: Pedernales and Miches” participated: Sigmund Freund, director of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships ( DGAPP ); Frank Elías Rainieri, president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana, and Rafael Blanco Canto, executive vice president of Viva Wyndham Resorts.

The discussion entitled “Banking and Tourism: strategic partners” was also held, with Samuel Pereyra, general administrator of Banreservas; Steven Puig, executive president of BHD León; and Juan Manuel Martin de Oliva, vice president of the Tourism Business Area of Banco Popular Dominicano. Those who received recognition for their support to the industry through the financial instruments applied during the recent change in economic dynamics.

The fourth edition of the forum was held in the Epic Center room of the JW Marriott Hotel and had the support of: Banreservas , Ministry of Tourism ( Mitur ), Therrestra , Banco Popular, IDAC , AFP Crecer, Seguros Crecer, Banco BHD León, United Gas, La Nacional, GAM Capital, SURA, Seguros Reservas , United Capital, Primma Valores, Xeliter, Universal, among others.

Air Europa’s business triumphs in Punta Cana

Its flights are registering occupancies of almost 100%

 Given the success obtained, they consider increasing their operations

 There is a strong demand for business class on flights from Spain

Air Europa’s decision to operate business class aircraft at Punta Cana airport has been a complete success.

The Hidalgo family company has hit the nail on the head because these flights are registering occupancies of almost one hundred percent.

The Punta Cana airport did not have business flights from Madrid after the withdrawal of the Jumbo from Wamos approximately two years ago.

The difference between the business class of one and the other airline is that Springwater’s had 12 seats and Globalia’s had 32.

Air Europa’s flight frequency is weekly and with its most modern aircraft, but given the success obtained, they are considering operating more flights.

Passengers residing in the destination and tourists miss more operations of Spanish airlines with business class. Therefore, there is a market for it.

Healthy boost from Turks and Caicos Islands to Dominican Republic medical tourism

So far this year, the Turks and Caicos Islands have registered a turnover of approximately US$7 million for health procedures, which fall under the heading of medical tourism, in health centers in the Dominican Republic, thus boosting the economy and further increasing the referred segment.

Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), said that “this indicates that synergies are being generated to significantly increase these figures.”

The information comes after a meeting between the Association and the Services Coalition with the Honorable Mr. Otis Morris, Minister of the Interior and Public Services of Turks and Caicos, in the presence of executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) of the DR.

According to El Dia, the meeting was attended by Dr. Hector Lopez, Director of Quality of the Association, and Ms. Taiana Mora, Executive Director of the Coalition.

At the meeting, the minister was enthusiastic and announced that in January 2022, he would come with an enlarged commission to strengthen health tourism and educational programs aimed at the medical profession between the two countries.

The Dominican Republic, a leader in medical tourism in the Caribbean region, seeks to expand its reach and market share.

Santiago goes vertical despite pricier materials

Santiago.- Santiago continues to grow vertically. This is evidenced by the dozens of apartment towers and real estate projects under construction in different parts of the city, as well as the extension of national and international investments in banking, industry and commerce.

This is evidenced by the dozens of apartment towers and real estate projects under construction in different parts of the city, as well as the extension of national and international investments in banking, industry and commerce.

Landy Colón, president of the Cibao Association of Promoters and Builders of Homes (Aprocovici), argues that Santiago is in a very special moment of development, despite the increase of up to 30 percent of homes as a result of the rise in materials .

He assures that the real estate impulse that is currently registered in the city has its origin in the efforts of the entity that he directs, when devising and accompanying the municipal authorities in the creation of the Normative Guide for Territorial Planning, which supports the “Santiago vertical”.

Gurabo and La Trinitaria are the sectors of the heart city where more infrastructure projects are currently being developed. Currently being built, the corporate building of the Popular Association of Savings and Loans (APAP), Santiago Center and the towers in La Trinitaria with up to 20 floors.

Landy Colón, president of the Cibao Association of Promoters and Builders of Homes (Aprocovici), argues that Santiago is in a very special moment of development, despite the increase of up to 30 percent of homes as a result of the rise in materials .

He assures that the real estate impulse that is currently registered in the city has its origin in the efforts of the entity that he directs, when devising and accompanying the municipal authorities in the creation of the Normative Guide for Territorial Planning, which supports the “Santiago vertical.”

Gurabo and La Trinitaria are the sectors of the heart city where more infrastructure projects are currently being developed. Currently being built, the corporate building of the Popular Association of Savings and Loans (APAP), Santiago Center and the towers in La Trinitaria with up to 20 floors.

Collado: hotel occupancy is around 96% in the East region

 More than 73,000 rooms are in operation today

 Projected increase in tourist arrivals of 27% in December

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, has reiterated the advances of the Dominican Republic in the tourism sector despite the pandemic and stressed that there are currently more than 73,000 rooms open, and in the eastern region of the country the occupation was around 96% last weekend.

Likewise, he highlighted the entry of tourists, revealing that the occupation of flights is approximately 80% this 2021, representing a recovery of tourism compared to last year.

“We come from having the best September, the best October in the entire history of the Dominican Republic (…). We can speak today that the month of November will be historic. We can see that the projections we have for the month of December, which are at 27%,” he said.

Collado highlighted the importance of tourism for the country, within the framework of the Tourism Journalism award, by the Dominican Association of Tourist Press(Adompretur), where the best press, television, and digital media works on the hospitality industry were recognized.

Dominican Republic refines its action plan to streamline passenger flow at airports

The Airport Department, together with Dominican Airports Siglo XXI ( Aerodom ), held a working meeting to validate the level of preparation of the measures established by the Action Plan for the High Season 2021, to facilitate the entry and exit of passengers through the air terminals in the country, safely, regarding the increase in Dominican and foreign travelers registered in these months.

This meeting was held at the International Airport of Las Américas, José Francisco Peña Gómez ( AILA ), and was led by Víctor Pichardo , executive director of the Airport Department; together with Mónika Infante , general director of Aerodom.

Also participating was the general director of the Specialized Corps in Airport Security and Civil Aviation ( Cesac ), Carlos R. Febrillet Rodríguez; the director-general of the National Police, Eduardo Alberto Then; the director-general of the Tourist Police ( Politur ), Minoru Matsunaga; as well as representatives of the different entities that affect airport activities.

The set of measures, prepared by the Airport Department in coordination with the Tourism Cabinet, establish that airport operators coordinate the scheduling of flights with government agencies that intervene in airports each week. Likewise, in airports that have more than one terminal, as is the case of AILA, simultaneous flights will be distributed equally between the terminals to avoid passenger congestion within the airports.

Likewise, it is instructed to guarantee the availability, operability, and comfort of the spaces arranged for passengers, visitors, and users of the terminals, including air conditioning, lighting and signaling, and cleaning. Likewise, organize the flow of passengers to maintain distancing in the areas of migration, customs, and counter of the airlines in the airport terminal.

The state agencies, together with Aerodom, reiterated of vital importance to continue with the strict compliance with the necessary procedures of temporary health contingency regarding Covid-19, arranged by the Ministry of Public Health.

The current protocol establishes that only one person is allowed access to the terminal to search for or dismiss a passenger as part of the measures that are being applied since July 1, 2020, as indicated by the health protocol.

In that sense, the authorities of the airport industry will review the measures and actions before the increase in travelers from next December 15, when the high season begins for the Christmas festivities.

Aerodom reported that they remain attentive with those flights from countries affected by the new Omicron strain.

While passengers pointed out that new measures must be applied as a matter of urgency at airports.

The previous protocol in these terminals contained distancing between people, signs, in addition to a single companion or family member for travelers.

US requires Covid-19 test 24 hours in advance from travelers

The United States government will require from “the beginning of next week” all foreign travelers who want to enter the country to present a negative test for Covid-19, carried out the day before departure, and to be vaccinated, the White House reported Thursday.

The president, Joe Biden, reported on a series of measures to boost vaccination and deal with the spread of Covid-19 during the winter after the first case of the new variant of coronavirus Ómicron was known in the country on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, for internal displacement, President Biden will announce an extension of the mandatory use of face masks on planes, trains, and other means of public transportation until mid-March, a senior official said.

The new measures seek to reassure Americans and show that Biden is doing everything in his power to prevent the pandemic from derailing America’s impressive economic recovery and the Christmas holidays.

The president and his advisers have reiterated that there will be no return to mass closures in recent days.

But the government faces the fact that many Americans are not receptive to Biden’s calls for collective action to defeat the pandemic. About 40% of the population is still not fully immunized, despite creative attempts to encourage vaccination.

And nearly 100 million people eligible for booster shots have yet to seize the chance.

Industrial companies announce investments that exceed RD $ 79 billion in 2022

The President of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), Celso Juan Marranzini, announced this Wednesday that 64 industries in the sector will invest more than 79 billion pesos in 2022.

In an act led by the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, Marranzini said that it is estimated that the announced investment will generate more than 78,900 new productive jobs.

“As a result of the levels of certainty achieved and the firm decision of our partners in favor of the reindustrialization of the country, we can today announce that, thanks to information collected in just 64 industries in the sector, it is projected that during the year 2022 they will make investments more than 79 billion Dominican pesos,” emphasized the AIRD executive.

He explained that these investments would be spread throughout the national territory, as a testament to the strength of the industry: 17.2 billion investments in the Cibao and the North region; 12.8 billion investments in the East; 10.3 billion investments in the South region; and 38.9 billion investments in Greater Santo Domingo.

President Luis Abinader led the event. ( EXTERNAL SOURCE )

In addition, he pointed out that the jobs that will be generated will be divided into over three thousand new jobs in the Cibao and the North region, more than 36,700 in the East region, 2,200 new jobs in the South region, more than 37,000 new jobs in Greater Santo Domingo.

He explained that the investments would strengthen the production of non-alcoholic beverages, cement, lime, and plaster; manufacture of food products; exploitation of mines and quarries; manufacture of iron and steel products.

Also, the manufacture of fertilizers; manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, and hygiene products; manufacture of pharmaceutical products; construction; furniture manufacturing; manufacture of chemical products, production of plastics, among others.

“These investments, friends, are equivalent to 1.3% of our GDP,” he pointed out.

The data were offered in the framework of industrial activity, where the recognition with the posthumous Industrial Merit award was announced to the industrialists Eduardo Ramón Martínez Lima and Antonio Nejri Acra (Don Papia).

The award for institutional work to support the Industrial sector was also presented to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, and the national award to the Dominican industry was given to Grupo Rica.

The activity was held at the Hotel Embajador and was attended by President Luis Abinader; the President of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella; the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor Bisonó, as well as other ministers and representatives of different government institutions, companies, and business organizations.

Luis Abinader: «We do not have any restrictions for December»

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, assured that the Health Cabinet does not plan to apply restrictions to the population during the Christmas festivities due to the covid-19 pandemic.

“As the vice president said, the Health Cabinet does not have any restrictions planned for December or later,” said the president at a press conference on the Safety and Immunogenicity of the application of a booster dose.

He indicated that the only measure planned for the Christmas festivities is vaccination against COVID-19.

“The ideal is to continue vaccinating the entire population, especially with the second and third doses,” said the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña.

He affirmed that the Dominican Republic had been prepared from the beginning for the appearance of the new variant, as has been done from the start, while emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant in any situation.

He said there should be no fear about the new omicron variant if people continue with the measures taken so far to combat COVID-19.

On the other hand, the HeteroVACRD study indicated that the Dominican Republic is the country with the highest application rate of the third dose of the vaccine in the world, with 12 applications per 100 inhabitants. In comparison, the rest of the world has a little more than 2 per 100 inhabitants.

There are 420 thousand people to be vaccinated to complete the goal of 70%

Punta Cana-. – The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Rivera, affirmed here that some 420,000 people have yet to be vaccinated, which represents 5.6 percent of the Dominican population that would be missing to complete the goal of 70 percent.

In this sense, the official said that he would appreciate the strategy of going house to house to achieve the vaccination and reiterated that the timely actions of the Government have resulted in a significant drop in the leading indicators.

The Health Minister said that the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, and San Cristóbalconcentrate the most significant number of people who have not yet been vaccinated.

compared to other countries. The wise decisions of the Government headed by Luis Abinader have allowed us to present excellent indicators today, but we still need to reach the highest rate of vaccinated and for this it will be necessary to go knocking on the doors from house to house,” he said.

Dr. Rivera offered these statements when participating in the IV International Congress of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care 2021 (COCECATI) and the Congress of the Central American and Caribbean Consortium of Intensive Care in Punta Cana, La Altagracia province.

The meeting, which brought together specialists from national and international medicine, was held to highlight topics of multidisciplinary interest within critical medicine and the academic level of colleagues.

On his side, Miguelina Pichardo Viñas, president of the Dominican Society of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care (SODEMECU), expressed interest in the areas that represent a challenge for medical work, such as sepsis issues, available in their units, management of the neurocritical patient, the most frequent critical pathologies in obstetrics, respiratory and Covid-19.

“The Dominican Society of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care continues in its strengthening as an organization and motivating today’s intensivists not only based on survival, nor the improvement of our patients as a result of our treatment, but on good treatment, empathy , hospitality and humanity,” expressed Pichardo.

The event was attended by doctors Alexander Marte, SODEMECU vice president, Jorge Luis Ranero, COCECATI president, Gloria Rodríguez, Jorge Sinclair, José Yunen, among others.

Aerodom confirms start of Air Canada flights between Toronto and Santo Domingo

 After more than fifteen months of air traffic being interrupted

Dominican Airports Siglo XXI ( Aerodom ) confirmed the start of operations of Air Canada with the direct route Toronto-Santo Domingo -Toronto.

“This operation will start soon and interested parties can access the airline’s website to find out its frequencies and cost,” the entity published on its social networks.

The new and direct operation joins the opening of the Canadian market to tourism from the Dominican Republic.

It is recalled that the Civil Aviation Board ( JAC ) learned of Air Canada’s request to exploit the route last August 2021, after more than fifteen months of air traffic between the DR and Canada being interrupted by the Covid-19 restrictions.

Dominican aviation remains vigilant about new Covid-19 variant

The president of the Civil Aviation Board ( JAC ), José Marte Piantini, reported that the body he directs is vigilant of the new variant of Covid-19, Ómicron, after last Saturday, November 27, two confirmed cases in Germany of passengers from South Africa.

“So far, in the Civil Aviation Board we are observing the behavior of this new variant,” he confirmed.

The official clarified that to dictate new flight restrictions, the authorities must follow a protocol for which they keep observing the evolution of the new variant to determine if it would be necessary to expand the list of countries whose entry of passengers to Dominican soil is restricted, according to Diario Libre.

Marte stressed that resolution 278-2021 of the Civil Aviation Board is maintained, which suspends the entry of passengers, so far, only from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, and Angola.

“We are observing and by virtue of that we take the measures if necessary,” he said.

The German authorities ask all persons who have been in South Africa in the last 14 days to immediately reduce their contacts, undergo a PCR test, explain their travel history, and directly contact the local health department.

On the other hand, the Netherlands Institute of Public Health (RIVM) assured that it “presumes” that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus is found in “several of the people” subjected to PCR yesterday after landing on two flights from South Africa and stressed that the final results would be known in the next few days.

Central banker: economy will grow 11% to Oct.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican economy grew 12.4% between January and October the projections made by the Central Bank suggest that this 2021 would be closing with a growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) around 11%.

The figures were given yesterday by Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu, during a press conference full of optimistic expressions in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the expansion of the economy is greater than expected, and the projection for the end of the year places the country as one of the fastest growing in the region and with the best relative performance when comparing activity levels with 2019, a year pre-pandemic.

US$300M for Santiago’s airport to serve Europe flights

Santiago.- Cibao International Airport started the work for its reconversion, with the expansion of the terminal with an investment of 300 million dollars and that will allow receiving flights from Europe with the duplication of travelers.

During an event attended by President Luis Abinader, it was reported that the work, designed by the Spanish architectural firm Luis Vidal, will increase passenger capacity from two to four million, as well as cargo and double the capacity of the movement of passengers and the number of jobs from 2,000 to about 4,000.

Félix García, president of the Cibao International Airport Board of Directors, said that with this investment they will expand the aircraft movement and parking platform, in addition, they will extend the runway by 280 meters, from a 2,620-meter runway to a 3,000-meter runway. with which they can accommodate aircraft of greater capacity and range.

The Dominican Republic tourism press awards Arecoa as the “most outstanding” media

ADOMPRETUR will deliver the recognition this Tuesday, November 30

The Dominican Association of Tourism Press ( Adompretur ), in the 17th edition of the National Award for Tourism Journalism “Epifanio Lantigua” (PEL), will recognize arecoa.com as the most outstanding medium for its contribution to the development and strengthening of tourism in the Dominican Republic.

The distinction will be presented during the ceremony that will take place this Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 6:30 in the afternoon in the La Mancha Room of the Barceló Santo Domingo hotel.

The union indicated, through a letter addressed to Rafael Caballero, president of Grupo Preferente, that “the prestigious Arecoa portal, which originates in the Dominican Republic, has been selected by the jury of the Epifanio Lantigua National Award for Tourism Journalism (PEL) to receive the annual recognition granted by Adompretur, to the most outstanding medium for its contribution and development and strengthening of tourism.”

In the letter, signed by the president of Adompretur, Yenny Polanco Lovera, and Millizen Uribe, director of the PEL, in addition, the editorial group is congratulated for “the extraordinary professional work that the Preferred Group has carried out for three decades as the main platform of the tourist press in the Spanish-speaking world.”

The editor of the Preferred Group, Rafael Caballero, will collect the award at an event attended by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and other leaders of the Dominican tourism sector.

We here at Dominican Today wish to extend arecoa.com a very hearty congratulations as we often source the publication for news, updates, and information regarding tourism in the DR.

Entrepreneurs are in favor of Edes being managed by the private sector

Santo Domingo, DR

Different business organizations were today in favor of the Electricity Distribution Companies (Edes) being administered by the private sector through a public-private alliance (PPP). However, some warned that what happened with the implemented capitalization process should be avoided in 1998.

The vice president of Conep, Cesar Dargam, said that the business union seeks to make essential services in the Dominican Republic increasingly efficient and sustainable.

He added that in the Conep, they envision a regulatory State, not in the activities of the economic actors and the private sector developing its activities within the established regulation.

“The electricity sector is a high priority for national development. That is why the announcement of the director of APP is well received. We trust that transparent processes are developed with clear rules that allow management to fall on those with the appropriate credentials,” said Dargam.

The president of the National Association of Industrial Companies of Herrera and Greater Santo Domingo (ANEIH), Noel Ureña, said that as a union, they do not oppose the participation of the private sector in the investment processes of the electricity sector because they consider it necessary dispose of the resources that the Dominican State does not have for these investments.

Ureña pointed out that “although we agree with the scheme that the private sector manages the commercialization and investment sector in the rehabilitation of the networks, we must take care of and protect the established local companies, industrialists and suppliers to prevent the same from happening. what happened with the Capitalization process of 1998 , where companies such as Unión Fenosa installed companies supplying electrical materials to the detriment of local Dominican companies.”

Likewise, the directors of the Dominican Confederation of Small and Medium Construction Companies (Copymecom) expressed that a public-private alliance would be an alternative in the case of the Edes since the limitations of resources that the State has to improve the electricity sector can be satisfied by the private sector through a transparent and effective alliance.

The executive vice president of Copymecom, Frank Guerrero, and the advisor Edward del Villar referred to the issue when consulted by Listín Diario.

Guerrero stated that “the capitalization of the resources that can come through the Edes and this process of public-private alliance could be filling the space that the tax reform did not manage to do, the important thing is that there is an investment that is clear That is punctual, where the Government, in addition to capitalizing, also avoids continuing to incur subsidies.”

He explained that these contracts should be as straightforward as possible because the country had an experience of capitalizing the Edes that had to be reversed in the past.

Edward del Villar indicated that from Copymecom, they see the introduction of the private sector in the administration of public affairs as positive because it promotes efficiency and profitability. He added that through this alliance, the administrative corruption historically occurred in this sector could be prevented.

They submit a PPP proposal to manage Edes.

The executive director of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), Sigmund Freund, during the Listin Breakfast, revealed that the Government formally received a proposal for a public-private partnership for the Edes to be managed by the private sector, a project that has been worked on in recent months for Edenorte, Edesur, and Edeeste.

Freund added that this plan had been discussed with international firms in the Unified Council of Edes and the Electric Cabinet. He clarified that it is not a question of privatizing the Edes but of capitalizing on them. “The State will not sell its assets, but the private sector will be in charge of managing the distributors and executing an investment plan that will entail about US $ 1.6 billion in the next six to seven years,” Freund said.

Economist projects Dominican Republic tourism will have the best winter in its history

Economist Henry Hebrard assured that the Dominican Republic would have the best winter season in tourism history.

“The wonderful surprise at the end of the year will be the tourism sector,” he said when comparing the figures for October of the current year with periods before the pandemic.

He explained that “although the tourism sector is going to close with a fall of between 30 and 40% compared to 2019, if we make the comparison with the month of October, we are already producing figures that exceed those of the same month before of the Covid-19.”

He indicated that there are high probabilities that the country will show a historical recovery in tourism at the end of the winter season, which has just started and which runs until April.

Herbrard stressed that the positive outlook for the country is the result of all the work that has been focused on in that direction.

He considered that the recovery of the tourism sector also reaffirms the good image that the Dominican Republic has as a destination.

The expert, a specialist in tax issues, and a lawyer issued these statements when interviewed on the Abriendo la Mañana program with Dary Terrero.

Dominican airports will apply measures to prevent Covid-19 infections at Christmas

On the occasion of the start of the high passenger season, the airport authorities recommended reactivating the sanitary measures against Covid-19 in the main areas of the country’s airports to prevent the increase in the spread of the virus.

In a document, the authorities request to socialize and coordinate the flight schedule with the government agencies that intervene in the airports each week.

They indicated that in airports with more than two terminals, simultaneous flights should distribute equitably between the terminals to avoid passenger congestion within the airports.

They also recommended guaranteeing the availability, operability, and comfort of the spaces provided for passengers, visitors, and users of the terminals, including air conditioning, lighting and signage, and cleaning.

In addition, the measures also include managing with the airlines and the different entities that offer services, applying self-service options, which facilitate mobility and rapid movement of travelers, according to Listín Diario.

Ensure to apply biosecurity measures in the terminal areas recommended by the Tourism Cabinet in the country’s airports to prevent the increase in cases of contagion with the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Similarly, guide passengers on all travel, safety, and health regulations that must be adopted and complied with to guarantee flights, through signs, advertisements on digital screens, and the public address system and other means, at least in two Languages.

The airport authorities also suggest organizing the flow of passengers to maintain distance in the migration, customs, and airline counter areas at the airport terminal.

They recommended cleaning and disinfecting the equipment regularly, increasing its frequency as operations increase, and they should keep a record of this. To do this, they must update and adapt their hygiene protocol.

Maintain public toilets in optimal conditions, clean and stocked with basic personal hygiene supplies.

With the start of the high passenger season, thousands of Dominicans and tourists travel to the country, including the absent creoles who return to the Dominican Republic to reunite with their families at Christmas.

New Margaritaville Cap Cana is well received by tourists

After the opening and reception of its first guests at the Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, on November 1, Patricia Álvarez Lebrón, regional sales director for Latam, the Caribbean and the DR of  Karisma Hotels & Resorts, told arecoa.com that the receptivity of the customers to the new product has been excellent.

She explained that the goal to close 2021 is to exceed 80% of occupancy, “which would be difficult with a new product, but at the same time we remain very optimistic to achieve these numbers.”

She stated that by 2022 they hope to exceed the occupancy achieved in 2021, and if the 80% is met, they hope to reach 90 and 95%.

“The receptivity of customers to the new product we offer has been very good and we are very optimistic about the occupancy that the hotel will have since its opening in the last months of the year and we look forward to a very good 2022,” she added.

Álvarez Lebrón indicated that the Margaritaville brand is very “strong” in the United States and Canada, so tourists from those markets have been the first to book to see the new property in the DR.

“International customers look where there is a Margaritaville so we have many reservations because they want to see what is new that the brand brings to the country,” she said.

In addition, she said that it is expected to attract tourists from the Latin American market ( Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, among others …) and Brazil.

“As Europe is opening borders, we also hope to have this market, although we will see it more from January 2022,” she said.

The director further explained that wholesalers have been very receptive to the new property in terms of the local market. “We have received a lot of support in terms of promoting the hotel and we are very satisfied with their collaboration.”

Concept and Amenities 

The hotel board recalled that the hotel complex of 228 suites and 40 villas, made with an investment of US $ 160 million, offers a balance between comfort and luxury, with a nautical-inspired decoration that evokes relaxation, tranquility, and the tropical experience of the Caribbean.

She explained that guests have 13 types of luxury rooms to choose from, including the Swim-Up Suites and the Honeymoon suites facing the sea and the exclusive villas, and the iconic “Jimmy Buffett” suite located in the penthouse. The rooms have a private balcony with furniture and views of the Caribbean Sea or the lagoon-style pool in the area of ​​the villas.

Among the recreational spaces is the Entertainment Village, which houses seven of the property’s ten food and beverage locations, offering music, entertainment, gourmet cuisine, and mixology during the evening hours.

The hotel also has The Boathouse restaurants, the Frank & Lola’s Italian trattoria, as well as the JW Steakhouse, the Mon So Wi Asian restaurant, and the Rum Runners – Pool Club, as well as the Punch, It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar and the SOS Swim-Up Bar.

The five-star resort also has the St. Somewhere Spa by Karisma, the Fins Up! Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day, the Sports Hub for practicing sports activities, the Parakeet Kid’s Club for the little ones, and the Sky Wedding where cozy events can be held.

After the detailed and varied offer of hotel amenities, Álvarez Lebrón explained that Margaritaville is a brand that comes with a created concept.

“What we have done is form a new concept called Island Reserve with the union with Karisma and then raise the bar. It is about looking for everything that allows the client to enjoy their experience in the way they want, because the idea is not that all clients have to do the same, since the current client seeks to live new and different experiences,” she emphasized.

Cleanup day to restore the Historic Center of Puerto Plata

Under the slogan “Puerto Plata Reborn,” a clean-up day was held in the Historic Center of the Atlantic bride, organized by the Municipal Mayor’s Office, the Provincial Government, the Chamber of Commerce and Production, with the support of the Ministry of Public Works (MOPyC), and other entities.

The operation included the collection of debris in vacant lots located on Beller, 12 de Julio, and Juan Bosch Streets, areas of great touristic concurrence.

With this initiative, the public and private sectors continue to work together to beautify and improve the destination’s image and its tourist, historical and cultural attractions,” said Mileyka Brugal, president of the Chamber of Commerce.

The participating entities urged the public to raise awareness about the proper management of solid waste, considering the visual and environmental impact that waste generates in tourist destinations.

The operation was made possible thanks to the support of Taino Bay, Edgar Martínez Hardware Store, Hardware Depot, San Felipe Market, Island Treasure, Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Tourist Enterprises of the North (Ashonorte), Playa Dorada Hotel Association, Senator Hotels, Blue JackTar, Civil Defense, and the Clean Ocean Foundation.