Jamaica authorizes direct flights with the Dominican Republic

The Government of Jamaica authorized direct flights with the Dominican Republic.

After the announcement, José E. Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), highlighted the collaboration of the Dominican ambassador to Jamaica, Angie Shakira Martínez Tejera.

“With joy and enthusiasm, we share that the Jamaican government has authorized direct flights with the Dominican Republic, for the benefit of our national air operators! Thanks to our ambassador Angie Shakira Martínez for her role in this important achievement,» indicated Marte Piantini on Twitter.

In addition, he recalled that “we have several Dominican airlines that can fly to that destination, such as Air Century, Sky High Aviation, Sky Cana , among others.”

The JAC stated that direct flights between the country and Jamaica, in addition to benefiting national air operators, provide dynamism in air connections and promote trade and tourism.

Mitur launches ‘Qualitur’, the first tourist quality badge in the country

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, led the launch of Qualitur, the first tourist quality distinction in the country, aimed at hoteliers, tour operators, bars and restaurants.

Through this Distinction, it is guaranteed to recognize the continuous improvement and promotion of quality in the services and products offered by this tourism segment, providing credibility and Distinction with a higher degree of customer satisfaction.

Collado highlighted the importance of the badge to achieve greater quality and efficiency in the services received by national and foreign tourists.

“With Qualitur we ratify our commitment to constant improvement and efficiency in the national tourism industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roberto Henríquez, Deputy Minister of Quality of Tourism Services of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), highlighted the importance and excellent benefits of Qualitur certification to companies and organizations.

He stated that the Distinction would guarantee continuous improvement and quality for excellence in the country’s tourism industry and a greater degree of satisfaction for the traveler, guest, client, or user who requires these services.

He also emphasized that in the satisfaction surveys, 91% of travelers would revisit the Dominican Republic, being “our goal to become a 5-star destination in terms of satisfaction, which is why we are here today to present you with the tool that will help achieve this goal together.”

The official thanked the Inter-American Development Bank ( IDB ) for contributing to the Project from its Comprehensive Tourism and Urban Development Program for the Colonial City of Santo Domingo (PIDTUCCSD).

A second phase of the Qualitur Project will be aimed at tour guides, gift shops (Gift shops), tourist transport, and museums.

Implementing the new badge, which has the Cristal Certification, will boost the competitiveness and development of the tourism sector and will provide confidence in the professionalism of the staff and greater security in the choice of the establishment or services.

To know the requirements to obtain the Qualitur tourist quality badge, you can access qualitur.mitur.gob.do.

Spanish airline will offer three weekly flights to Madrid

Santo Domingo, DR.

The Spanish airline Plus Ultra inaugurated a new route between Santo Domingo and Madrid to add more flights from the country to that European city this Friday.

The airline will offer three weekly flights.

According to Fernando García Manso, president of the company, the inauguration of this new route is a symptom of the gradual improvement in the economy as travel restrictions between countries are relaxed.

“We hope that the gradual return to normality will allow us to continue opening new routes and expanding existing ones to meet the growing demand of passengers and to continue fulfilling our business plans,” he said.

He specified that all passengers traveling on these new routes would enjoy high-quality services and greater comfort on board, such as various seatsand menus.

Likewise, they will be able to choose between three classes with differentiated services after the recent announcement of the new Premier Economy class, which occupies an intermediate space between Executive and Economy.

Plus Ultra also announced last month the addition of three new aircraft to its fleet: the three Airbus 330/200 -in addition to the three Airbus 340 that the company already has- have the capacity for 299 passengers, 24 in Business and 275 in Economy).

The company’s six aircraft will be used interchangeably on the different routes it operates based on demand.

Likewise, Plus Ultra has just announced an agreement with AccesRail to jointly market its flights with AVE routes between Madrid and all the Renfe high-speed network destinations, giving passengers more facilities with a final destination anywhere in Spain.

This airline offers flights to Caracas Venezuela; Lima Peru; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Bogota and Cartagena Colombia.

Gov. to repair 300 bridges nationwide

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascención, informed this Wednesday that this entity intends to intervene around 300 bridges in different parts of the country that present different levels of deterioration that deserve to be corrected.
He stated that one of the aspects of the State’s responsibility to which much attention has been paid is the maintenance of tunnels, highways and bridges.
He specified that an inventory of the conditions of the bridges was made and they determined that at least 300 require intervention.

Plus Ultra launches its flights between Madrid, Santo Domingo and Samaná

The connection to Samaná is made in alliance with the TTOO Soltour

The airline confirms its commitment to long-haul flights

Plus Ultra is launching this Friday, July 1, a new route between Santo Domingo and Madrid, with three weekly departures, in addition to another weekly flight, which will be offered by the tour operator Soltour, from Samaná.

According to the airline, the launching of the new routes coincides with the start of the tourist season and responds to the recovery of the tourist demand and the trips of the many Dominicans in Spain looking for financial and quality services to visit their relatives.

Passenger traffic between the Dominican Republic and Spain in 2019 was 660 thousand, including some of the 75,000 Dominican nationals living in Spain, tourists, and also business travelers.

In that sense, Fernando García Manso, president of the company, said that ”the inauguration of this new route confirms our renewed commitment to long-haul flights to Latin America and are symptomatic of the gradual improvement of the economic situation as travel restrictions between countries are relaxed. We expect that the gradual return to normalcy will allow us to continue to open new routes and expand existing ones to meet growing passenger demand and continue to deliver on our business plans.”

All passengers traveling on the new routes will be able to enjoy high-quality services and the best onboard comfort, such as a variety of seats, menus, and benefits of its PREMIER PLUS loyalty program, among others. They will also be able to choose from three classes with differentiated services, following the recent announcement of the new Economy Premier class, which occupies an intermediate space between Business and Economy.

Plus Ultra also announced last month the addition of three new aircraft to its fleet: the three Airbus 330/200s – in addition to the three Airbus 340s the company already has – have a capacity for 299 passengers (24 in Business and 275 in Economy). The company’s six aircraft will be used interchangeably on the different routes, depending on demand.

Dominican films have a US$45.4M support

Santo Domingo.- Legislation to promote the development of cinema in the Dominican Republic remains firm.
This is established in a report provided to Diario Libre by the General Directorate of Cinema in which the approval of national and international film projects whose general budgets are around three billion pesos (US$45.4 million).
The national projects covered by article 34 of Law 108-10 that are being filmed at the time of this story are “Pandemic Elections,” a production by Juan Basanta and Mauricio Vengochea, the latter advisor to President Luis Abinader on matters of strategic communication. The direction is by the filmmaker Basant.-The young filmmaker and television producer Giancarlo Beras-Goico began the filming of the documentary “Laspalmas bailan solas”, work which he also directed.
Another film production that is being produced under article 34 of the aforementioned law is “Granito de Arena” by filmmaker Alan Nadal and “Trágico final (It hurts to say), a production by Carlos Salcedo whose direction will be Francisco Rodríguez.

Puerto Plata and Samaná, two tourist centers on Abinader’s agenda

President Luis Abinader will travel this weekend to the Samaná, Puerto Plata, and Valverde provinces, where he will exhaust a work schedule that includes inaugurations of works, groundbreaking, meeting with neighborhood associations, delivery of Supérate cards, and lunch with young people.

On Sunday, Abinader conducted his various visits to the province of Samaná, where days ago, he announced that in July of this year, 2022, the construction of a cruise port in the province of Samaná would begin.

He said that in the next few days, he would be offering more information on the details of the work, which he said, together with the Cabo Rojo cruise port, Pedernales, which will be ready next year, as well as other infrastructure projects that will contribute to continuing increasing the arrival of cruise passengers to the country.

Later, he will attend the PROPEEP event, at the Andrea De Peña School, in the María Luisa Sector, and the presentation of the Malecón Project, on the Samaná Malecón.

Later, he will lead the inaugurations of the Weighing Station in the Aguada sector and the Samaná Bay Hotel.

In the afternoon, he will give the groundbreaking for the construction of the Samaná City entrance and hold a lunch with 250 young entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, civil society, and community members at the Samaná Sports Center.

The head of state will conclude his weekend schedule with the inauguration of the Limón Bridge and Streets and the Las Terrenas Polytechnic in the La Granja Sector.

Giving continuity to his agenda for the weekend, on Saturday, the president will inaugurate the infrastructure of the Puerto Plata Air Base at 10:30 in the morning.

Then, he will lead the delivery of 300 Get Over Yourself cards to fishermen at the Provincial Sports Center.

Likewise, he will attend the first act, You of the General Directorate of Strategic and Special Projects of the Presidency (PROPEEP), at the Concepción Gómez Matos School, Padre las Casas sector.

Also, he will lead the National Health Insurance (SENASA) act in front of the Puerto Plata Fortress, Montemar sector.

Later, he will give the groundbreaking for construction work on the Economic Canteens at the INESPRE premises. Later, he will participate in a lunch with 300 young entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, civil society, and community members at the Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel.

President Abinader’s schedule also includes the inauguration of the 911 Offices and the opening of the Exhibition “1961: the year of freedom.”

Later, he will preside over the opening ceremony of the Mercado San Felipe, on Calle 30 de Marzo, corner Professor Juan Bosch. In addition, she will attend the inauguration of the Long Night of the Museums in the San Felipe Fortress, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture.

The president will also lead the act of delivery of Housing in the El Javillar sector, coordinated by the Ministry of Housing and Buildings.

In the afternoon, President Abinader will be recognized by the Dominican Press and Tourism Association ( Adompretur ) at the Lifestyle Hotel.

The president’s agenda began this past Friday, 24, in Mao, Valverde, with the opening ceremony for constructing a Biodiesel Plant in Jaibón at 11:00 in the morning.

Later, he will hold a meeting/lunch with Neighborhood Councils at the Northwest Regional University Center CURNO/UASD.

The head of state will conclude his agenda on Friday in the Valverde province with the opening ceremony to construct the “Brisas del Atardecer” apartment project.

In June the tourism sector generated some 700 million dollars with the arrival of more than 600 thousand tourists

Santo Domingo, DR

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, detailed this Monday that during June 644, 861 foreignersarrived in the country, which represents a growth of 9.9 percent more than that registered in the same period of 2018 and 2019.

The presence of these tourists generated approximately 739 million dollars in profits in the sector.

During the presentation of statistics on tourism behavior, Collado also specified that during the first six months of this year, 3.5 million tourists have come to vacation in the Dominican Republic, generating “almost 4 billion dollars” in income.

He noted that hotel occupancy exceeds 71 ​​percent in general terms, and the average stay is ten days.

The airports that received the most significant flow of visitors were Punta Cana and Las Américas.

The provinces of main stay are La Altagracia, Santo Domingo and Santiago .

He also stated that the sustained growth in the arrival of visitors is not only by air but also by sea.

“A total of 72,689 cruise passengers did not visit in June, which represents 25 percent more than those who arrived in the same period of 2019,” he specified.

projections

Collado guaranteed that in the months to come, tourism will continue to reach blue numbers and predicted that this year will close with more than 7 million visitors, “a historical number in the arrival of tourists to the Dominican Republic.”

Tourist flow generated RD$3.4 billion

Santo Domingo, DR.
According to Central Bank statistics, the flow of tourists arriving in the country in the first three months of this year left the economy with RD$3,336.3 million in fiscal income.The information, which is posted on its institutional website, reflects that RD$2,167.0 million was collected for the tax on the departure of passengers abroad through airports and ports, RD$71,648,935 million for the tax on the departure of passengers abroad by land, and RD$1,097.6 million for the tourist card.Between January and May of this year, the accumulated tourist flow registered 2,902,280 non-resident visitors entering the country and 1,467,173 additional travelers in the same period of 2021.In May alone, the arrival of non-resident passengers was 561,323 visitors.The average daily expenditure and stay of tourists visiting the country this year were US$134.83, and the average stay per night was US$9.38.

By destination

Regarding the accumulated reception of foreigners according to regions of residence, between January and May, 57.1% of visitors arrived from North America, 26.3% from Europe, 12.9% from South America, 3.3% from Central America and the Caribbean, and the remaining 0.4% from Asia and the Rest of the World.

Among the issuing countries that showed increases in arrivals during the first five months of 2022 with respect to the same period of 2021 is the United States of America with 400,193 additional passengers, Canada (291,612), France (104,868), Russia (91,894), England (76,718), Germany (72,329), among others.

Recreation

During the five months elapsed in 2022, 86.5% of tourists reported that recreation was the main reason for their visit to the country. Likewise, 74.4% said that they used hotel establishments as their lodging option.

Regarding the age of visitors, 54.5% ranged from 21 to 49 years old, while 51.3% were female and 48.7% were male.

Residents
Between January and May, 300,094 passengers arrived in the country, 247,363 Dominicans and 52,731 foreigners.

Non-residents
As tourists, 2,902,280 passengers arrived in the country, of which 505,416 were Dominicans, and 2,396,864 were foreigners. The total variation of foreigners was 1,432,268.

Construction of the cruise port in Samaná will start in July

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, announced that in July of this year 2022 the construction of a cruise port in the Samanáprovince would begin.

He said that in the next few days, he would be offering more information on the details of the work, which he said, together with the cruise port of Cabo Rojo, Pedernales, which will be ready next year, as well as other infrastructure projects that will contribute to continuing increasing the arrival of cruise passengers to the country.

The president announced during a press conference that he led together with the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, to announce that the Dominican Republic will host the 28th Annual Conference of the Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association ( FCCA, for its acronym in English), scheduled to take place from October 12 to 14.

In this sense, Collado highlighted that in May of the current year in the Dominican ports, ten lines carried out 32 operations, of which 19 were cruise ships and 13 fertile, in which 82,199 cruise passengers arrived.

According to Diario Libre, the official reported that from June 2021 to last June, 754,760 cruise passengers arrived in Dominican territory in 458 operations carried out by 51 cruise lines.

It is recalled that this is the second time that the Conference of the Cruise Association of Florida and the Caribbean has been held in the DR, the largest cruise trade fair in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central,and South America, where more than 60 will participate. Cruise executives, including presidents and directors, top government leaders from more than 40 countries, and more than 500 representatives from around the world.

Puerto Plata and Samaná, two tourist centers on Abinader’s agenda

President Luis Abinader will travel this weekend to the Samaná, Puerto Plata, and Valverde provinces, where he will exhaust a work schedule that includes inaugurations of works, groundbreaking, meeting with neighborhood associations, delivery of Supérate cards, and lunch with young people.

On Sunday, Abinader conducted his various visits to the province of Samaná, where days ago, he announced that in July of this year, 2022, the construction of a cruise port in the province of Samaná would begin.

He said that in the next few days, he would be offering more information on the details of the work, which he said, together with the Cabo Rojo cruise port, Pedernales, which will be ready next year, as well as other infrastructure projects that will contribute to continuing increasing the arrival of cruise passengers to the country.

Later, he will attend the PROPEEP event, at the Andrea De Peña School, in the María Luisa Sector, and the presentation of the Malecón Project, on the Samaná Malecón.

Later, he will lead the inaugurations of the Weighing Station in the Aguada sector and the Samaná Bay Hotel.

In the afternoon, he will give the groundbreaking for the construction of the Samaná City entrance and hold a lunch with 250 young entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, civil society, and community members at the Samaná Sports Center.

The head of state will conclude his weekend schedule with the inauguration of the Limón Bridge and Streets and the Las Terrenas Polytechnic in the La Granja Sector.

Giving continuity to his agenda for the weekend, on Saturday, the president will inaugurate the infrastructure of the Puerto Plata Air Base at 10:30 in the morning.

Then, he will lead the delivery of 300 Get Over Yourself cards to fishermen at the Provincial Sports Center.

Likewise, he will attend the first act, You of the General Directorate of Strategic and Special Projects of the Presidency (PROPEEP), at the Concepción Gómez Matos School, Padre las Casas sector.

Also, he will lead the National Health Insurance (SENASA) act in front of the Puerto Plata Fortress, Montemar sector.

Later, he will give the groundbreaking for construction work on the Economic Canteens at the INESPRE premises. Later, he will participate in a lunch with 300 young entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, civil society, and community members at the Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel.

President Abinader’s schedule also includes the inauguration of the 911 Offices and the opening of the Exhibition “1961: the year of freedom.”

Later, he will preside over the opening ceremony of the Mercado San Felipe, on Calle 30 de Marzo, corner Professor Juan Bosch. In addition, she will attend the inauguration of the Long Night of the Museums in the San Felipe Fortress, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture.

The president will also lead the act of delivery of Housing in the El Javillar sector, coordinated by the Ministry of Housing and Buildings.

In the afternoon, President Abinader will be recognized by the Dominican Press and Tourism Association ( Adompretur ) at the Lifestyle Hotel.

The president’s agenda began this past Friday, 24, in Mao, Valverde, with the opening ceremony for constructing a Biodiesel Plant in Jaibón at 11:00 in the morning.

Later, he will hold a meeting/lunch with Neighborhood Councils at the Northwest Regional University Center CURNO/UASD.

The head of state will conclude his agenda on Friday in the Valverde province with the opening ceremony to construct the “Brisas del Atardecer” apartment project.

Exp Realty bets on the Dominican market

The Dominican Republic stands out as having a substantial market for residential properties in the tourism sector.

With a substantial market for residential properties in the tourism sector, easy international access, and attractive incentives for foreign investment, the Dominican Republic is the ideal market to expand Exp Realty, the first global brokerage agency to go from a physical establishment to one based on the cloud.

This was expressed by the president of Exp Global, Michael Valdés, announcing that this brand is establishing itself in the country under the eXp Dominican Republic brand, a fully digital real estate business model.

“As we continue to grow in the Caribbean and Latin America, there has been a lot of interest from agents in the Dominican Republic, and it feels like the perfect next step in expanding our footprint,” Valdés said.

Among the novelties that Exp offers to agents are wealth opportunities such as revenue share programs and stock equity; Cloud premise environment, no office fees, work from anywhere; real-time support; live training, more than 50 hours of weekly online training; equity reward, for meeting production targets; access to professional services, among other facilities.

Business models

Broker in DR
Marbel Lugo, a broker in the country, is in charge of guiding and offering all the information needed by those interested in being part of eXp Dominican Republic. She stressed that the company’s goal is to provide Dominican real estate agents with a better quality of life through a new business model.

Starting next week, US citizens will not be able to travel with an expired passport.

If your passport expires while you are outside the US, you will not be able to use it to return.

The United States Embassy in the DR reported this past Thursday that after June 30 of this year, US citizens would not be able to travel with an expired passport.

This means that if the US citizen is outside their country after June 30, they will not be able to use their passport to return to the US if it is expired, so they must renew it as soon as possible.

“After June 30, 2022, US citizens will no longer be able to use their expired passport to return to the United States. To renew your passport, make an appointment with us,” the embassy wrote in a statement.

The embassy noted that it has resumed routine services in Santo Domingo and that the US Citizen Services Unit continues to provide routine services to US citizens in the Dominican Republic, including routine and emergency passport appointments.

You can use the passport browser available on the consular agency page to apply for a passport. The Passport Navigator will ask you simple questions to help you make an appointment at the US Embassy in Santo Domingo or the Consular Agencies in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata.

Routine passport renewals by mail take three to four weeks. However, if you are traveling within two weeks and need an emergency passport, please follow the instructions at the link below.

In December of last year, the US State Department approved that US citizens abroad could return to their country with an expired passport. The measure was taken to reduce travel difficulties created by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the reduction in staff at US embassies and consulates due to the pandemic. They had announced that it would be in force until March 2022.

Harvest Festival’ promotes gastronomy and tourism of Constanza

Constanza is preparing to celebrate, from July 15 to 17, the Harvest Festival 2022, an event organized by the Association for the Development of Constanza that aims to showcase everything related to the agricultural production of the municipality and for lovers of culture, gastronomy, and mountain tourism.

The invitation to the public to support the activity is made by María Felisa Gutiérrez, Rafael Augusto Collado and Rosa María Rosado, president and members, respectively of the association, according to Listín Diario.

In that sense, María Felisa Gutiérrez explained that 80% of the economy of the Vegan municipality is based on agriculture (it is the largest producer of flowers, vegetables, and greens in the country), but what they want to show in the festival is the whole economy and culture that revolves around that agricultural production, gastronomy, the cultivation of flowers and ecotourism.

“We want to highlight the production that exists in the municipality and how much it can contribute to the country’s food security, what is elaborated with what is harvested here,” he said.

He said they seek to integrate producers around the activities and make known the variety of products grown in the valley beyond garlic and potatoes because there are also grown celery, carrots, beets, onions, cauliflower, lettuce, zucchini, tayota, eggplant, strawberries, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, broccoli and coffee in the area of La Descubierta, among many others.

He informed that this version is dedicated to President Luis Abinader and that there will be an exhibition, sale, and tasting of products, gastronomic samples, talks and workshops on agriculture and the environment, presentation of the work of young entrepreneurs, and technological advances implemented in agricultural activities and cultural celebrations.

Collado announces investment of RD$600 million to regenerate Sosúa beach

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the award has already been made after the rigorous tenders to undertake the regeneration of Sosúa beach, which entails a millionaire investment.

He assured that in the next few days, the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, would give the first bite to start said work amounting to 600 million pesos.

The head of Mitur maintained that the long-awaited work on Sosúa beach would boost tourism even more; they will build a place for vendors, who will be provided with loans through Promipyme, they can continue undertaking.

He added that in Sosúa beach, 300 parking lots would be built on land donated by the Pastoriza family so that vehicles do not park on the avenues and streets; surveillance cameras and night lighting will also be installed.

He indicated that only the culmination of an alliance between the Public-Private sectors in Sosúa beach is expected since they talk kindly with the Association of Handicraft Sellers ( AVAPS ) directors to achieve a consensus.

Arajet airline certified as a flight operator in the country

Santo Domingo, DR.

The interim general director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Héctor Porcella, officially delivered the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the Dominican low-priced airline, Arajet, which formally authorizes it to start commercial air transport operations as a safety instrument.

Porcella also delivered to Víctor Pacheco Méndez, executive president of Arajet, the Operations Specifications, a complementary instrument that the IDAC, as an authority, defines and limits the operations for each aircraft model of an air operator.

“As of this moment, Arajet is formally authorized to carry out regular and non-regular air operations (charter flights), air cargo and mail. Likewise, this certification empowers this airline to formalize negotiations with any other airline, from anywhere in the world, always under the tutelage of the civil aviation authorities involved,” said Porcella.The president of Arajet explained that this certification is the materialization of five years of hard work, which “allows us to become the national airline and offer the Dominican diaspora and all our passengers from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean direct flights to and from Santo Domingo with low prices, world-class service, and the best punctuality.”

“We are very proud and optimistic to have received the IDAC Operations Certificate. Our commitment, hand in hand with our investors, is to guarantee operational and financial success, to take the Dominican Republic to the top and farther, strengthening its area connectivity and opening up greater opportunities for the commercial and tourist development of the country,” concluded Pacheco Méndez.

Arajet received its certification after exhausting a rigorous and meticulous legal and regulatory structuring process and evaluations, validations, and training by the Authority. In addition, its operational manuals, technical personnel, operation equipment, operations support, and standard and emergency procedures, which guarantee the effectiveness and safety of operations, were also supervised and approved.

The interim general director of the IDAC urged the executives of Arajet to operate “following the rules and principles of operational safety, with responsibility and pride, since air connectivity is a key economic facilitator to boost productivity, being one of the most important for the economic and social growth of the country and of the passengers, who benefit from this connectivity.”

Porcella concluded by assuring that with this milestone, “Dominican aviation is becoming stronger, and proof of this is that this airline that today received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) will use state-of-the-art and highly efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, within of a modern aeronautical market that is increasingly demanding of safety and comfort.”

Entrepreneurs from more than 38 countries invest in the Dominican free zone sector

The United States tops the investment list.

The Free Zones sector of the Dominican Republic has a record of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from more than 40 countries. The United States is the primary investment partner, with an accumulated investment of 2,136.73 million dollars.

According to data from the National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE), at the end of 2021, the Foreign Direct Investment accumulated by the free zones reached the figure of 4,642.01 million dollars, growing by 12% compared to 2020, with an approximate amount of 500.05 million dollars.

According to the study “Provincial productive profiles for the promotion of exports and the attraction of investment for development,” the United States heads the list as the leading investment partner in the Free Zones sector, growing by 11%.

The United Kingdom is in second place, with 391.41 million dollars, growing by 1%. Germany is in third place, with 378.58 million dollars, growing by 13%; and in fourth place is Canada, with 249.85 million dollars, growing by 11%.

They are also: Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, China, and South Korea, among others.

Accumulated Foreign Direct Investment by sector and country of origin

The official document details that by 2021, FDI attracted by the Dominican Republic reached the figure of 3,102.1 million dollars, growing by 21% compared to 2020 and exceeding by 3% in the pre-pandemic in 2019.

It specifies that the main sectors attracting foreign direct investment by 2021 are Tourism, with a 31% share, with an amount of 961.8 million dollars; Real estate 16%, with 497.4 million dollars; Mining, 15%, with 472.5 million dollars; and Commerce/Industry 11%, with 330.7 million dollars.

It points out that the amount of FDI Stock during the period 2011-2021 of the Dominican Republic amounts to the figure of 29,018.4 million dollars, especially highlighting the investment destined for the tourism sectors, with 6,757.1 million dollars and a participation of 23%. In second place and very closely trade/industry, with 6,436.9 million dollars, representing 22%.

In addition, the real estate sector continues in third place, with 4,396.3 million dollars and a 15% share, and fourth place in the mining sector, with an accumulated investment of 4,060.3 million dollars, for a 14% share.

The study explains that the Dominican Republic receives Foreign Direct Investment flows from different countries in all regions of the world, which has allowed the nation to become one of the most popular investment destinations in the region.

It adds that the country’s main foreign direct investment partners are the United States, with 6,676.5 million dollars; Canada, with 4,331.90 million dollars; Brazil, with 2,244 million dollars; Spain, with 1,869.9 million dollars; and Mexico, with 1,603.7 million dollars.

Collado says 30% of tourists coming to the country are from New York

Santo Domingo, DR.

Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Tourism organized a dinner at the Grand Plaza in New York to recognize the companies contributing to and promoting tourism growth from New York to the Caribbean country.

This activity was led by Minister David Collado, who welcomed more than 400 attendees, thanking the country for its efforts over the last ten years.

“New York is the most important market for the Dominican Republic, representing 30% of all visitors from the United States,” shared Collado. ”

Recognition
During the event, the Ministry recognized Expedia, Hopper, and Vacation Express for their contribution to promoting tourism in the Dominican Republic.

It also gave special recognition to Destination Weddings, a leading wedding agency in the industry. And to the three travel companies Travelong, Flight Center Travel Group, and Travel Impressions.

Since the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has positioned itself as one of the leading world tourist destinations, demonstrating that effective health protocols can guarantee the safety of tourists and support a healthy tourism sector.

Strategy
The minister announced the plans for the development of Miches, the Seibo, with an investment of US$1,000, for which agreements have been established with several businessmen from the hotel industry, among which are: Frank Rainieri and Rafael Blanco, and Gustavo Cisneros.

The objective is the creation of an organized magical tourist destination that begins with investment by the private sector. Together with the Pedernales and Bergantín initiatives, the tourism development of Miches is part of a tourism diversification strategy.

Real estate tourism, in full swing: they launch a new project in Punta Cana

Executives from Buena Vista at San Juan Lakes formally launched the luxury real estate project in Punta Cana, which has forty private villas strategically located next to the area’s primary health, education, and leisure services.

“Buena Vista at San Juan Lakes, has an ideal location in Punta Cana, the area with the greatest tourist development in the Dominican Republic and close to the best beaches and the best golf courses in the world. An area that combines accessibility and also a private and safe environment for our health”, indicated Jesus Montano (Jr.) and  Ralf Friessner, as developers of Buena Vista at San Juan Lakes.

They explained, “In total, there are forty luxury villas with two different models of open and bright modern design that you can choose according to your needs and preferences. Sixteen with one level and twenty-four with two levels, both with exterior environments and spaces for the enjoyment of the whole family”.

The project, headed by the architect Roberto Reijo and the engineer Vicente Cruz, has one-level villas from 240.00Mts2 and two-level villas from 285.10Mts2 and aims to respond to the needs of new buyers who are looking for open spaces, finishes, quality, and safe environments.

As an added value, the owners of the Buena Vista villas will be able to enjoy the Clubhouse of the residential community, San Juan Lakes, a space for relaxation, leisure, and entertainment, through a swimming pool, recreational area, playground, and several natural lakes.

Buena Vista is part of the San Juan Developmentplan, made up of the largest shopping center in Punta Cana, with a wide range of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants.

During the presentation of the project at the AC by Marriott hotel, realtors and associates from the real estate and tourism sector learned about the main benefits of the residential area, which stands out for its open spaces and low population density, as well as for a natural environment surrounded by large green areas and wide trails that guarantee the exclusivity, tranquility, safety, and health of its inhabitants.

Aerodom: Covid test elimination will stimulate tourism from the US

World Travel and Tourism Council applauded the measure

The United States establishes itself as the leading tourist emitter of the DR

Luis José López, director of corporate communication at Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI ( Aerodom ), indicated that the decision of the United States government to eliminate the requirement of the Covid-19 test, which was required of travelers to enter that nation, will undoubtedly stimulate American tourism in the Dominican Republic.

“The United States is the main market with which daily flights are maintained from our airports, and the decision to eliminate the test requirement will undoubtedly influence more people to move to our country,” he said.

He explained to arecoa.com that, as North American airlines had recently expressed in a statement, many Americans were reluctant to travel internationally due to concerns about testing positive and being stranded abroad.

As for how operations are going through the AILAterminal without the test, López said that “the trips have been carried out successfully.”

“We welcome the decision of the US Government to eliminate the requirement of having a negative result from a recent Covid-19 test,” he emphasized.

The repercussion and acceptance of the measure have been such that the World Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC ) has welcomed the decision of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, to lift the Covid tests for air travelers.

Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, said, “we welcome the decision by the Biden administration and the CDC to lift the harmful testing requirement for travelers. It will provide much-needed relief to the beleaguered sector.”

“US Travel & Tourism’s long-term recovery now looks positive, and our projections show that a fully recovered sector will create more than six million new jobs over the next 10 years,” he added.

He recalled that “in the short term, the measure caused incalculable damage to an already devastated sector, since the spending of international visitors has been so low in the last two years.”