DR signs agreement to strengthen global supply chains

Santo Domingo.-The Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica established a working group, through a memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and the ministers of Industry and Commerce of the member countries of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), to strengthen global supply chains.
This hand in hand with allies such as the United States and defined with strategic sectors that will meet periodically, seeking to actively integrate the private sector to encourage new investments and bring more manufacturing and logistics operations to our countries, in the context of nearshoring.
According to an institutional note, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) seeks to form projects of shared interest for economic reactivation, through the increase in trade flows, the attraction of new investments and the social and economic development of the region, appropriate market incentives, standardization, as well as capacity building and technical assistance, with the United States as a strategic partner in the effort.

Banco Popular 1st Dominican bank among world’s top 1,000

Santo Domingo.- The Banco Popular Dominicano reported that it remains the first Dominican bank in the list of the 1,000 best banks in the world, at a distance of 148 positions from its next closest Dominican peer in this index, compiled by the magazine The Banker, of the Financial Times publishing group.
The banking entity was ranked this year in position 783 of the classification, which evaluates banks from all continents taking as the main criterion their financial strength, measured through Tier 1 Capital, an indicator under the regulatory framework of the standards Basel, which indicates the bank’s ability to support its
In addition, the publication takes into account other criteria such as the size of assets and the return on them, profits before taxes or solvency and liquidity ratios, among other variables, explained the financial institution

ADETI highlights expansion of real estate tourism and its attraction of investments

Fifteen years ago, real estate tourism was not very well known in the Dominican Republic; it was not discussed so often. However, the fact that there is US$10 billion invested in the sector is a reason to mention it.

They are investments placed in different points of the national geography through the fifteen members of the Dominican Association of Tourism Real Estate Companies (ADETI). This private organization brings together the leading tourism real estate companies in the country, such as Cana Rock, Ciudad Destino Cap Cana, Costasur/Casa de Campo, Club Hemingway, Green One Playa Dorada, Grupo Puntacana, Grupo Velutini, Kaynoa, Metro Country Club, Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club, Playa Nueva Romana, Puntarenas, Rincón Bay, Terra RD Partners (INICIA’s asset manager) and Tropicalia (Organización Cisneros).

In real estate tourism, foreign investment has been a critical element. For example, 70% of the investment in Cap Cana is American and Canadian; the other part is mixed, between European and Dominican.

“In the past two years, Dominican investment has increased, and that this has happened has an explanation, said the president of ADETI, Jorge Subero Medina.

He explained that “these are Dominicans who have come looking for a first home, or Dominicans who began to make different investments to make that home, for a foreigner to buy it. They have done it as developers, which means concretely that many Dominicans have become housing developers”.

He said that tourism is one of the pillars of the Dominican economy, and this has been evidenced in the current context of the world crisis (due to the covid-19 pandemic and then the Russia-Ukraine conflict); if one looks at the fact that in the country’s recovery, the sector has been of great significance concerning recovery, according to El Caribe.

“For example, in May the Monthly Indicator of Economic Activity registered a year-on-year growth of 4.8 %, for an accumulated variation of 5.6 % during the first five months of 2022, when compared to the same period of 2021. Seen in particular, hotels, bars and restaurants increased 35% (Central Bank data),” he added.

The also executive president of Cap Cana said that “this has been happening that within general tourism the contribution of real estate tourism has not been accurately measured, so ADETI, has begun to address the issue a bit, and wants to see it from the arrival of the tourist to the country and segmentation, which has not been done with breakdown yet.”

Concerning the documentation, Subero Medina informed that “this continues to worry the real estate tourism sector, and generates stress the fact of having to go, at least, eleven times to different institutions to obtain a permit for a real estate tourism project.”

“Depending on the lot, one has to go, for example, to Mensura Catastral, Registro de Títulos, City Hall, Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), Confotur, Obras Públicas, Ministry of Finance, Dirección General de Impuestos Internos (DGII), to Codia (if it is construction), and to see the part of the condominium regime,” he added.

The president of ADETI valued that very concrete steps have been taken in favor of the digitalization of the permits because this eliminates bureaucracy, avoids that people are putting their hands on the documents, and increases the deadlines. It raises them because it allows that even if an institution has closed at three o’clock in the afternoon, “you have the possibility of uploading a document until eleven fifty-nine o’clock at night.”

Lack of Russians impacts the Globalia hotel company in the Dominican Republic

The impact of the war in Ukraine continues to complicate the recovery plans of Be Live Hotels, which is why the Globalia Group intends to put aside the idea of putting the company up for sale and getting the business afloat. Still, the invasion of Putin’s troops is slowing down some key destinations.

This is the case in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, which notice a shortage of Russian and Ukrainian tourists in their establishments.

The company has nine hotels in the first of these destinations and six in the second. In other words, half of all its hotels are not performing as expected. However, Globalia is confident its offer in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will continue.

Company sources assure Invertia that sales “are going very well” in these destinations and consider that “in autumn, things will normalize.”

The last statement contrasts with the possibility of Be Live resuming its sale process from September; the step back is not definitive since Juan José Hidalgo favors getting rid of the company after entering the scene of Cerverus and TPG two American investors that come on strong.

However, this would not happen until after the summer since, to date, the offers received do not convince Globalia. Some of those still interested plan to wait because they believe that the financial urgencies will provide them with a valuation more in line with their actual market price, which considers that many hotels need an excellent investment to refurbish them.

Dominican Republic would be the sixth largest economy in Latin America

The governor of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), Héctor Valdez Albizu, revealed yesterday that “the nominal product would be at US$109,045.4 million in 2022 and would continue to grow until exceeding RD$120 billion in 2024, which would place the Dominican Republic, as stated by the IMF, as the seventh largest economy in Latin America.

Speaking at the XV International Congress of Finance and Auditing (CIFA), he said that this level of output, together with a modern and efficient liability management strategy by the Ministry of Finance aimed at reducing debt service and improving its sustainability, has contributed to the consolidated public sector debt falling from 69.1% of GDP in 2020 to 62.6% of GDP in 2021, projecting a level below 59.0% of GDP by the close of this year.

Nominal output expresses the monetary value of a country’s production of final demand goods and services.

The governor said that “despite the complex and uncertain environment that we have had to live in recent years, the Dominican economy maintains solid fundamentals and, on other occasions, will emerge stronger. I am confident that its dynamism will continue, generating more and better jobs for Dominicans, encouraging consumption and creating new investment opportunities.”

At the conference, he explained how the Dominican Republic designed and executed an effective strategy to face the international crisis on the health and economic front. In the second part of his speech, he pointed out the main aspects of the Dominican economic recovery and its prospects.

He highlighted that the inter-annual inflation was lower in May and June than in April. This behavior is expected to continue for the rest of the year so that inflation would converge to the Central Bank’s target range of 4.0 % ± 1.0 % during 2023.

On the other hand, according to the forecasting system that contains the different projection models of the BCRD and multilateral organizations, such as the IMF and the World Bank, the Dominican economy would grow by 5.0%, an expansion rate close to potential both in 2022 and 2023.

Valdez Albizu explained that the Dominican economy has kept growing.

Entities seek to turn Puerto Plata into a Bachata world epicenter

The Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Tourist Companies of the North ( Ashonorte ) and the company ADN Films signed an agreement that formalizes a strategic alliance to turn Puerto Plata into a world epicenter of bachata.

In addition, promote it as an innovative film destination with music festival tourism to consolidate sustainable tourism development in the province.

The president of Ashonorte, Carlos Rodoli, stated that the institution’s commitment is to support, drive and promote high-impact initiatives for the tourism sector.

“Like the one we are carrying out today, embracing our cultural identity, the one that is generating millions of dollars and euros, activating tourism and the economy of distant cities that often do not speak our language, as in the case of Moscow, Paris, Shanghai, Brazil,” he said.

He also added that “Puerto Plata is the pioneer of tourism in the Dominican Republic, and with this agreement, we will be the pioneers in music festival tourism and in using bachata as a tool to promote the country.”

Meanwhile, the executive director of Ashonorte, Kathy Morillo, stressed that efforts would be unified to capitalize on the global impact of bachata, which has become the most visible element of Dominican cultural identity worldwide.

«This has been thanks to hundreds of schools, workshops, DJ instructors, singers, and bachata festivals in the main cities of the world, such as: Paris Bachata Festival, Shanghai Bachata Festival; I Love Bachata Mexico, Brazil Bachata Festival; Bachata Day (Italy), Europe Bachata Festival (Spain); Los Angeles Bachata Festival, Chicago Bachata Festival; San Francisco Bachata Festival, Istanbul Bachata Festival, among others,» he added.

On his side, the president of ADN Films, Víctor Minaya, said that “when the script for the film project “Marca País ADB Bachata” was written in 2018, Puerto Plata was incorporated into the shooting of the final part of the film in the amphitheater, recreating a world Bachata festival, and who would have thought that four years later we would be announcing that Puerto Plata will have the first world bachata festival in November, not as a movie, but as a reality».

He also stated, “We trust that with these two projects and other complementary initiatives, bachata will place the demarcation of Puerto Plata on the world map.”

During the event, held at the Senator Hotel, Rudi López, the dancer, DJ, and president of Island Touch, one of the main organizers of bachata events at an international level allied with ADN Films to enhance bachata as a country brand, will coordinate with the international bachata dancers in both events.

The event featured special guests with the participation of the world’s most famous and valued couple of bachata dancers, “Ataca & la Alemana,” who will join forces to turn Puerto Plata into the world epicenter of the popular rhythm.

Sunwing promotes recovery of Canadian tourism in Puerto Plata

The Sunwing Group maintains its firm commitment to Dominican tourism, promoting the arrival of Canadian tourists to Puerto Plata. As mentioned above, this vacation destination is gradually recovering the flow of visitors from the market.

To carry out the flights, the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) plenary session authorized the operations under the Special Permit modality to Sunwing Airlines. As a result, this company will operate fourteen round-trip flights on Tuesdays, with a frequency of one flight per week. It plans to offer approximately 5,292 passengers in Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a capacity of 189 passengers.

The president of the JAC, José Marte Piantini, highlighted the importance for the Dominican Republic to promote the recovery of the Canadian market and, in particular, to promote the air transport of passengers to the province of Puerto Plata.

It should be noted that the Montreal – Puerto Plata – Quebec route is not included in any Operating Permit or Certificate of Economic Authorization. However, the airline operators Air Canada and Air Transat have the Montreal / Puerto Plata and Quebec / Puerto Plata routes, respectively.

According to data from the Statistics Section of the JAC, Sunwing Airlines mobilized from January 2021 to May 2022 a total of 256,265 passengers in 1,793 operations on the routes contained in its Operating Permit as well as on routes operated under other modalities.

From January-May 2022, the airline transported 171,508 passengers on its flights between the Dominican Republic and Canada.

Dominican exports continue to grow

Santo Domingo, DR
The Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana) reported that merchandise exports reached a total of US$6,305.2 million during the January-June 2022 period, presenting an inter-annual growth of 10.7% concerning the same period of the previous year, 2021, and 29% concerning the pre-pandemic year 2019, according to preliminary customs records of the Directorate General of Customs (DGA).

Biviana Riveiro, executive director of ProDominicana, said, “The growth experienced by Dominican exports is the result of the strategic vision and alliances, under the framework of the National Export Promotion Plan, the Trade Promotion plan, and other initiatives.” The US market continues to be the leading export destination during the first half of 2022, accumulating a total of US$3.21 billion, equivalent to 51% of total exports. In terms of relevance, it is followed by Haiti with US$590 million and a 9.36% share, Switzerland with exports of US$525 million and an 8.33% share.

In turn, a total of 56 markets experienced positive growth in exports in the January-June 2022 semester. Of these markets, the United States stands out in the first position with an increase of US$297 million in addition to that exported during the previous month. Similarly, Haiti shows an absolute growth of US$139.3 million and China with an additional US$96.2 million in the same direction.

As in other periods, gold exports are in the first position with US$660 million during January-June 2022; this product is followed by international sales of cigars with US$509 million, and medical instruments and apparatuses are in third place with a total of US$479 million. The most exported agricultural products during this first semester were: bananas with US$106 million, cocoa beans with US$105 million, rum with US$65 million, and avocado with US$44 million.

“Among the products with the greatest dynamism, medical instruments and apparatuses stand out with the highest growth in the period January-June 2022, accumulating an absolute variation of US$116 million additional to those exported during the same period last year. Similarly, ferronickel is positioned among the products that lead the growth of Dominican exports in the period analyzed, representing a total of US$101 million additional to the previous year,” Riveiro emphasized.

In monthly terms, Dominican exports during June 2022 generated US$1,112.8 million, with a growth rate of 11.65% over the same month of the previous year. This growth is explained by free zone and national exports, which showed an inter-annual increase of 14.25% and 8.52%, respectively.

Riveiro highlighted that these results position June as the month with the highest value exported in the Dominican Republic, surpassing the historical record achieved in 2021 for this same month.

The executive director of ProDominicana pointed out that the institution maintains its enthusiasm and commitment to the promotion of exports and the attraction of foreign investment to the Dominican economy, considering them part of the essential pillars for the path of economic recovery, development, and the quality of life of Dominicans.

Trade restrictions exacerbate worst food crisis in a decade

Santo Domingo, DR.
The worst global food crisis in a decade was one of the main issues discussed at the twelfth ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) last month, according to an article published on the World Bank blog authored by Mari Elka Pangestu and Axel Van Trotsenburg.

The authors point out that this crisis is exacerbated by the growing number of countries that ban or restrict exports of wheat and other commodities in a misguided attempt to curb rising domestic prices.

They note that the price of wheat, an essential commodity in many developing countries, has risen 34% since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, and prices of other foodstuffs have also increased.

They note that in response, as of early June, 34 countries had imposed restrictions on food and fertilizer exports, close to the 36 countries that used such controls during the 2008-2012 food crisis.

They indicate that these measures are counterproductive because they reduce global supplies, driving higher food prices. Other countries respond by imposing their restrictions, causing a growing cycle of trade actions that have a multiplier effect on prices.

They explain that measures to limit exports significantly affected food prices in the 2008 crisis, worsening the situation.

The publication notes that this time, the war in Ukraine is accelerating a price spike that began earlier due to unfavorable weather conditions in major producing countries, rapid economic recovery after the COVID-19-induced slump, and rising energy and fertilizer costs.

“The war has severely disrupted shipments from Ukraine, one of the world’s largest food suppliers. The country is also a major supplier of corn, barley and sunflower seeds, which are used to make cooking oil, products that cannot reach world markets because Ukraine’s ports are blocked,” the authors analyze, noting that export restrictions are not the only trade measures governments are taking in response to rising prices.

They argue that some countries are reducing tariffs or eliminating import restrictions. Chile, for example, increased duty discounts on wheat. “Normally, a permanent reduction in import restrictions would be welcomed. However, in a crisis, temporary reductions in import restrictions put upward pressure on food prices by boosting demand, just as export restrictions do by reducing supply,” they say.

Affected

The article states that among those most affected by trade restrictions (PDF) are developing economies in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. For example, Bangladesh imports 41% of its wheat from the Black Sea region. In the case of the Republic of Congo, the figure is 67% and 86% in the case of Lebanon.

He refers that given the magnitude of dependence, people in these countries are likely to be affected immediately, as alternative suppliers will not be available in the short term. “Higher prices will eventually incentivize major agricultural exporters to expand their production and replace part of the exports from the Black Sea region, but this will take time,” they point out.

Breaking with seasonality, Senator’s challenge in Puerto Plata

Alejandro Castillo, general manager of Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort, told arecoa.com that one of the fundamental axes of his management of the hotel is to combat seasonality in the destination of Puerto Plata since the behavior of tourist arrivals is very different from that of any primary destination.

“The high season starts in December and ends in Easter and there is a big difference with the rest of the months, so the idea is that the occupancy month to month is similar as in the case of Punta Cana, since for example its average occupancy is 80 or 90% in December, and in July or August is at 75%, however here we go from 90% to 20 or 30% between May and June,” he explained.

He said that to improve the situation, they are seeking to open up to new markets so that the seasonality is not so marked in terms of the occupancy difference, and thus seeks that the renovated Senator Puerto Plata hotel, a premium brand, has a better positioning as well as the destination (North Coast).

In this regard, Castillo said that for Senator Hotels & Resorts, attracting new markets has always been a priority since they started the project in Puerto Plata, and he valued the Polish market, which has had a frequency of three flights a week.

“Although before the beginning of the current war in Europe, the Russian market also had a very positive impact,” he added.

As for the other markets, he said that the high season in Puerto Plata is very marked, with mainly Canadian tourists. “So it is important to continue working to bring new flights from Europe, countries like England, France, as well as new flights from the United States.”

For the current summer season, he detailed that its primary market is local. “This summer is comparable to the summer of 2019 and to date we already have higher occupancies.”

Dominican international airports report 58,763 operations

Santo Domingo.- The international airports of the Dominican Republic registered 58,763 air operations incoming and outgoing flights in the first half of this year 2022, a figure that represents a growth of 37% of operations compared to the first six months of the year 2021.

This was announced by the president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), José Ernesto Marte Piantini, at the conclusion of today’s ordinary plenary session of the institution.

Marte Piantini maintained that the movement of commercial aircraft in the first half of this year reached 15,986 flights more than the period January-June 2021, which represents an increase of 37% of the total air operations carried out in the same period last year, in which 42,777 operations of entry and exit to the Dominican territory were registered.

The president of the organization reported that flights to and from the Dominican Republic increased by 7,988 incoming operations and 7,998 outgoing operations compared to that period.

Dominican Republic Airbnb regulations start in Aug.

Santo Domingo..- Starting in August of this year, the Government will begin to regulate the technological platforms that facilitate the offer of real estate for short-rent accommodation to tourists and individuals in the country, such as the Airbnb model that accounts for 95% of such negotiations.

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, said that by that date the first measures will be evaluated to regulate all types of negotiations involving the rental of houses, apartments, cabins and all types of space for recreation or seasonal vacation accommodation.

“The General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) already has a draft on the mechanism that the Government will use to regulate and tax the operations of the rental model with digital mechanisms” and, in fact, “it has already made a public hearing,” Collado said.

Increased flow of travelers through Las Americas International Airport

The ”summer” vacations in the United States and Europe are attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists of different nationalities who have the Dominican Republic as the leading vacation country and enter mainly through the Las Américas International Airport ( AILA).

Thousands of Dominicans living abroad are also arriving, most from the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and other European nations, who come to spend their summer vacations in their country.

All the flights, more than a hundred that are made daily by the Las Américas Airport to and from different destinations, are arriving full of passengers, in many cases, entire families
of both foreigners and Dominicans.

It was reported that some airlines are planning additional flights in their schedules due to the considerable increase in the demand for seats, especially in the order of arrival from various nations and destinations.

Many of the Creoles, families were made up of four and five members, especially minors who left school vacations, mainly from various parts of the United States, come loaded with gifts for their relatives and friends in the country.

Due to the considerable movement of travelers, the staff of the agencies that work at the Las Américas airport has had to be redoubled, allowing prompt and timely attention to tourists and Dominicans.

Both the General Directorate of Immigration and Customs have reinforced their service personnel, which has reduced traveler complaints about wasted time checking their documents and luggage.

Meanwhile, in the passenger departure area, the airport authorities maintain cordons to control the large number of people who travel to the airport every day to look for family and friends.

IMF estimates the country’s economy exhibits a “robust performance”

Evaluation. The international organization highlights the dynamism of the Dominican economy and its remarkable capacity for resilience.

Santo Domingo, DR

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) considered yesterday that the Dominican economy is experiencing a robust performance and does not present significant imbalances or sustainability problems.

The international organization recently approved the evaluation corresponding to the Article IV mission for the Dominican Republic in 2022, this time without the need to hold an ordinary meeting.

In the report mentioned above, published on July 8, 2022, the IMF highlights the dynamism of the Dominican economy and its remarkable resilience, achieving a solid recovery, expanding 12.3% in 2021 and approximately 5% in relation to the level before the pandemic.

More jobs

The document indicates that this economic growth contributed to solid job growth, highlighting that the economy’s excellent performance was supported by adequate policies, an effective vaccination campaign, and a well-managed process of reopening the productive sectors.

He also cites the remarkable dynamism of the tourism sector, with a faster recovery than expected in the arrival of visitors, which has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The IMF positively assessed the role of expansionary monetary policy and its contribution to the recovery during 2021 and, subsequently, in normalizing economic conditions to face inflationary pressures.

It expects inflation to moderate gradually until it converges to the target range of 4% ± 1% during 2023.

It also considers the consolidation process of public finances adequate, significantly reducing general debt.

He highlighted the increase in tax revenues and the expansion of key social programs to support the most vulnerable sectors.

According to the IMF technical team, the macroeconomic fundamentals of the Dominican Republic remain strong, with a current account position that is comfortably financed by Foreign Direct Investment, higher levels of international reserves, and a financial system that satisfactorily exceeded the difficult test of the pandemic.

positive outlook

Regarding the perspectives, the team of the multilateral organization considers that, despite the high level of international uncertainty, the outlook for the Dominican Republic is positive, foreseeing a growth around the potential of 5.0%, both for this year and for the next year 2023.

The report pointed out that the risks in the short term are related to the evolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine, international financial conditions that have become more restrictive, and the possible emergence of new variants of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in the medium term, the scenario for the Dominican economy is favorable, states the IMF, which understands that investment opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and the various reforms underway would contribute to increasing the potential growth of the economy of the Dominican Republic.

The IMF team positively weighs the electricity sector reforms, supporting the most vulnerable sectors through targeted programs while saluting the efforts to improve policy, governance, transparency, and business climate frameworks. The international organization states that the continued implementation of these measures would send a solid commitment to long-term policies, promoting growth and allowing consensus to be built for future reforms.

KNOW MORE

Highlights support for the electricity sector

Targeting.

The IMF team weighs positively on the reforms of the electricity sector, maintaining support for the most vulnerable sectors through targeted programs.

Coincidence.

The Central Bank of the DR agrees with the vision expressed by the IMF and reiterates its commitment to act proactively to make decisions that contribute to maintaining macroeconomic stability and sustained growth.

Cruises give great boost to tourism in Puerto Plata

Even though the tourism sector is in the so-called “low season,” cruise ships continue to arrive in Puerto Plata weekly.

The vessels arrive at the Amber Cove and Taíno Bay terminals in the bays of Maimón and Puerto Plata, where thousands of foreign visitors set foot on Dominican soil.

According to the Ministry of Tourism ( Mitur ) cruise calendar, in June, 19 cruise ships from different lines arrived in Puerto Plata.

In the report on the arrival of Mitur cruise ships, it was indicated that of the 19 cruise ships that touched the Puerto Plata coast, 11 docked at the Amber Cove terminal in Maimón, and eight arrived at Taíno Bay.

The cruise ships that docked at the Amber Cove terminal in Maimón were: Carnival Mardi Gras (three times), Carnival Princess and Carnival Legend (both two trips), Carnival Magic, and Carnival Freedom (one trip per capita).

While at the port of Taíno Bay, the tourist ships arrived: MSC Seashore (three times), Norwegian Breakaway (twice), Scarlet Lady (twice), and the Celebrity Infinity.

Campaign launched to promote Puerto Plata beaches on social networks

With the interest of promoting the beaches of the North Coast, with their peculiar charms and purity, the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster (CTDPP), with its member institutions and the support of various influencers from the province, created a promotional campaign that It will take place in different phases during the summer season.

The start of the initiative consisted of an open survey posted on Instagram with which it was intended to link users to obtain the most creative expression that best promoted the enjoyment of the beaches of Puerto Plata.

A jury of the account managers @ilovepuertoplata @centrohistoricopop @memepop, involved in the project, along with part of the Cluster’s executive team, unanimously chose #MIPLAYAESTUPLAYA, a phrase that indicates a sense of belonging and pride and implies hospitality.

The main objective is to stimulate visitation to the province’s beaches through the massive publication of images that evoke the experiences of bathers and beach users. The intention is that content is published on the different social networks with the selected phrase until it turns.

This initiative was born in the Cluster, whose scope and success are linked to the participation of the entire community, colleagues, friends, the media, and public and private institutions. To achieve the integration of all, the instructions with the steps to follow will be disseminated through various media and channels to motivate everyone to reproduce the campaign on their networks.

Likewise, it will seek to incorporate local and national influencers so that they motivate their followers through the publication of content in their respective accounts, which serves as an example of what is being pursued.

INSTRUCTIONS – STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  1. Share the image of your favorite beach in Puerto Plata – it can be a photo or a video-type reel with the beach’s name and/or location.

  2. Post the hashtags #MiPlayaEsTuPlaya and #PuertoPlata and tag the account @discoverpuertoplaa (for reposting content).

  3. Use the song “El Mar” by Ozuna from time 0.09 to achieve a more direct and associative identification of the project.

  • Additional recommendations:

  • Also, upload to the wall (feed), so the content lasts.

  • Finally, use photos without added filters to project naturalness and authenticity.

  • Follow the account @discoverpuertoplata

Dominican Republic breaks record in tourist arrivals

The Dominican Republic remains in vogue for tourists, even breaking its historical records regarding foreign visitor arrivals. This increase in the flow of travelers in the country is also reflected in more excellent air connectivity, with new projects of local and international airlines, making the DR now linked to major emerging destinations.

According to the most recent Mitur statistics on arrivals, in June, the DR attracted a total of 644,861 tourists, a figure that represents 9.9% more than that obtained in the same period of 2018 and 9.8% higher than that of 2019.

The above is evidence that the strategy of the public-private sectors to boost tourism is yielding excellent results, allowing the country to surpass the 2018 arrivals figures, the best year in the history of Dominican tourism to attract foreign visitors.

Cumulatively, the first semester has closed with blue numbers for Quisqueya tourism; a total of 3,547,142 tourists visited the DR as of June 2022. All this makes it possible to project a great year-end in arrivals for the leading tourist destination in the Caribbean.

Of course, to continue to push the so-called industry without chimneys, the government must increase the amount allocated to the international promotion of tourism, as countries that depend much less than the DR on tourism have larger budgets in this regard.

Asonahores projects a record of 7 million tourists this year

The entity highlights the importance of the “all-inclusive” model

Affirms the DR’s tourist offer is diversified with a high level of quality

 

“For this year, we already have projections that we are going to exceed 7 million tourists, which will mark the highest arrival in the history of tourism in the Dominican Republic,” the Association of Hotels and Tourism ( Asonahores ). Rafael Blanco Tejera.

He indicated that “today we can say that we have a full recovery, just a few days ago we reached more than 644,000 tourist arrivals in June, a historical record for that month.”

Cumulatively, the country has managed to attract more than 3.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2022, according to statistical data released by the Ministry of Tourism ( Mitur ).

Referring to the all-inclusive model offered by the Dominican Republic, Blanco Tejera considered that this has been “important” in the recovery of the sector after the pandemic.

“It is an operation system in which we have luxury brands and we also have cheap brands, one has one price and another has others, depending on what one pays, it will undoubtedly have a different level of quality,” said the head of Asonahores.

He considered that the tourism sector has advanced, in terms of the diversification of levels “and the offer we have,” as well as an “evolution” of the all-inclusive that has increased its rates; everything depends on what each one can pay.

Ashonorte announces ninth edition of Puerto Plata Golf Classic

The Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Tourist Companies of the North ( Ashonorte ) announced the details of the ninth edition of the Puerto Plata Golf Classic tournament, which will take place at the Playa Dorada golf course on the 19th and 20th of August this year 2022.

According to the information provided, thanks to the success obtained in the last edition in the delivery mentioned above of the sports fair, the participation of 200 players is expected, including a delegation from Puerto Rico and golfers from the different national clubs.

“For this year, we wanted to innovate, with the realization of a night tournament that will be played on Friday the 19th on Par 3 of hole #7, using light contact balls and where the participants will be able to enjoy a social and camaraderie environment,” said Carlos Rodolí, president of Ashonorte.

Meanwhile, the director of the Puerto Plata Golf Course, Américo Núñez, explained that, like in the previous edition, the categories would be named after the province’s municipalities.

«Category A will bear the name of Puerto Plata, category B Sosúa, Category C Cabarete and the ladies with the name of La Isabela. The modality to play will be Stableford/Best ball,» she detailed.

On her side, the executive director of Ashonorte, Kathy Morillo, thanked the sponsors for their support and recalled that part of the tournament funds are used to develop the social awareness program against sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (CIENAVYT), which they have been running since December 2020.

The tournament, which is already a classic in the north, will be endorsed by Fedogolf and will have great surprises and prizes for the participants.

“The cruise industry is at its best in the Dominican Republic”

La Romana is preparing for a very active cruise season, as announced by  Andrés Fernández , president of the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotel Association ( AHRB ).

He said about 170 cruise stops are expected, with about half a million cruise passengers, specifically La Romana. ​​

“From October 2022, the arrival of these ships will be felt, which is why in the case of La Romana, large investments are being made,” he said, although without specifying amounts.

He added that “every season the cruise ships that arrive are bigger and therefore it is necessary to adapt the ports to receive them and give them the best service.”

Fernandez indicated that the cruise sector is in the best moment in the Dominican Republic, especially with the expansion of some and the construction of others.

According to Traveling with Salvador, I reiterate the need to make large investments since the ports must adapt to the enormous ships that are being built.