Dominican Republic to have one of the best economic performances by 2023, according to experts

International and local economists agreed during their participation in THINK ECONOMICS 2022, the annual event of the Swiss-Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (CCTDS), that the Dominican Republic will face 2023 with a resilient and stable financial system.

“The exogenous factors of the international context such as the post-pandemic situation or the war conflict between Ukraine and Russia, have highlighted the dynamic management of the government of President Luis Abinader. A common strategy of confidence has been created for markets and investors,” explained Gaetan Bucher, president of the CCTDS.

With the deterioration of the global environment anticipated in 2023, with close to 60% of economies below their growth trend, including the US, Euro Zone, and China, where price stability in the medium term will require additional interest rate increases by Central Banks in advanced economies, specialists stressed that the International Monetary Fund’s outlook points to the Dominican Republic obtaining the highest growth in Latin America next year, where it will have leadership over traditionally strong countries such as Brazil or Mexico.

“The reality is that the conduct of fiscal policies in the Dominican Republic has been quite successful, including the conduct of health policy,” explained Alonso Cervera, chief economist for Latin America at Credit Suisse.

The economists explained that the Dominican Republic faces challenges to boost growth even through formal employment since, according to data from the Inter-American Development Bank, Latin America has very high levels of informality, around 55%, and in the case of the Dominican Republic, 58%.

“There are two major areas in which the Dominican Republic has many opportunities and it’s capacity to generate new wealth: international trade and tourism,” said Ernesto Selman, leader for Mexico and the Dominican Republic of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Regarding risk management, Raul Ovalle, managing partner of Analytica, noted that Haiti had faced a sequence of shocks since the beginning of the pandemic that has deepened the historical divergence between the per capita income of the two nations.

Regarding regulation, Alejandro Fernandez, Superintendent of Banks, pointed out that in 2020 the monetary stimulus was over RD$210,000MM, about 5% of GDP and that regulatory measures in response to COVID-19 have been based on a regime of flexibility in liquidity measures, credit stimulus, and gradualness. Something that has led to a robust recovery.

“The net assets of the financial system from September 2017 to September 2022 have had a percentage of 12.1%. The gross credit portfolio has increased by 8.57%, and there has been a real year-on-year growth in private credit in local currency. Commercial loans increased by 18.2%. Rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels; however, margins have narrowed.”

Regarding public debt, economist Raúl Ovalle pointed out that as of 2023, public debt is expected to increase. “In proportion to the size of the economy it will resume the gradual growth path that characterized public finances during the two decades prior to the pandemic.”

About the CCTDS

The CCTDS was founded more than 20 years ago as a non-profit private law entity that develops and supports programs and projects to foster, promote and invest for the benefit of trade, industry, and tourism between Switzerland and the Dominican Republic. In addition, the Chamber supports entrepreneurship and training activities in search of excellence and permanent innovation. Hence, the THINK events (INNOVATION, LOGISTICS, ECONOMICS, ENERGY, and TOURISM).

Dominican Republic government focuses on lowering air fares

The DR Government is promoting investment in new airlines in order to make them more competitive and thus lower airfares, which has been a challenge for the tourism sector, said Héctor Porcella, acting director general of the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC).

“We have made an incentive in promoting investment in new lines,” he reiterated.

The official said that the Tourism Cabinet seeks to design public policies that contribute to the decrease in airfare prices.

“If we have greater competitiveness and greater offers from airlines, we can have better prices so that there will be more tourists visiting the country,” he explained, according to Hoy.

Hidden treasures in the northern zone

antiago, DR
Few want to or can escape from the magic that surrounds the almost virgin natural scenery. And the sensations these environs produce renews and creates freedom and wonder, or at least that is the opinion of many.

Fortunately, in the north of the country, there are captivating treasures that will remind us how small we were before the beautiful immensity that nature has built with exotic details, as impressive beaches surrounded by tropical vegetation and peculiarities make this area a must-see destination.

El Ermitaño Beach

A true natural paradise with calm and crystalline waters thanks to a coral reef, about 350 meters of beach, and abundant vegetation. It is located in the municipal district of El Limón, Samaná, near other natural jewels. Because of its characteristics, it became the setting for the Survivor series.

In addition to its visual offerings, it has a fascinating history surrounding its name: According to records, Juan “The Hermit” was a French pirate who landed there in 1780, where he was isolated for 22 years. Later, he was discovered by his former companions, and the Spaniards, astonished, granted him a pardon.

Honda Beach

Ideal for camping, this beach of fine butter-colored sand, combined with turquoise waters, forms a bay surrounded by coconut groves, where tranquility will be pretty straightforward.

It is located right in the middle of Punta Ermitaño and Punta Berto, Samaná, and can be accessed either by boat, from El Valle or Morón beach, or on foot, as it is not possible to use a vehicle. Furthermore, its position on the rocky coast gives this place a very particular scenic beauty.

Luperon Beaches

Visiting the coastal attractions of Luperón, Puerto Plata, is one of those experiences to be told, recommended, and repeated. Here several beaches can be appreciated through a kayak tour, with crystalline waters, peculiar landscapes, and very unique fauna that can be enjoyed while passing by.

From the bay of this municipality, a worldwide important point for nautical tourism for sailing boats, to Playa Chiquita, there are several virgin beaches, such as Playa de Nena, among others yet to be named.

Lanza Del Norte Beach

It is a bit visited the place, picturesque, in the middle of tropical vegetation, and surrounded by palm trees. Uninhabited and considered one of the most beautiful in the country, this beach offers enough silence to disconnect from the bustle of the city, appreciate the sea from the shade of the coconut trees, and enjoy the idyll that will make it worth the trip, which, it should be noted, represents quite an adventure. An option for those who are on their way to Playa Morón since it is only necessary to cross the unpaved road that leads to Lanza del Norte.

Cosón Beach

For many, it is the most beautiful beach in Las Terrenas. Like others on this list, this beach is characterized by being little visited and surrounded by palm trees, which give it a unique beauty. With its four miles long, it is perfect for witnessing one of the most impressive landscapes of the Samaná peninsula. In addition, it is an excellent option for bridal activities, surrounded by striking tropical gardens.

Diamante Beach

This beach is just 10 minutes from El Dudú, in Cabrera, and is ideal to go with the whole family because its waters are so calm that, instead of waves, it has very subtle ripples. It can be seen from the road, and for more tranquility and enjoyment, its depth is so shallow that you could walk dozens of meters into the water, and it would barely reach your knees, gaining depth as you approach the open coast. Its unique feature: sides covered with thick vegetation, whose surplus reaches a few meters from the water. Perfect!

Dominican Republic would have the strongest economic recovery in 2023

At a time when the world’s major economies are discussing a possible recession, a recent Oxford Economics report details how most Central American nations will outperform Latin America’s largest. Given such a scenario, the Dominican Republic would be the most favored. The Caribbean country is expected to have the strongest post-pandemic recovery in 2023, according to the analysis. Together with Panama, “it will most likely see the highest annual growth” due to the economy’s diversification and structure, “which will help them during the global recession.”

According to the report, the recovery in Central America has been fueled by large inflows of US dollars from commodity exports, record remittances, and an increase in tourism. While they anticipate that the aggregate growth of Latin America’s largest economies will be nearly flat, Central American and Caribbean countries will have a GDP of 2.5% in 2023.

Other countries will not be so fortunate. They specify that Belize and Nicaragua may experience the most significant slowdowns next year. While the first will be due to the country’s “huge” reliance on tourism, the second will be due to the collapse of institutions under the Ortega regime, which may make the country more vulnerable to global weakness. Costa Rica and El Salvador (along with Belize) face the greatest risks in the short term due to their fiscal positions, which they classify as weak, as well as their economic imbalances.

Arajet, the only airline that directly connects Santo Domingo with 5 cities in Colombia

Arajet began its operations in Medellín and Bogotá, becoming the leading airline in connectivity between Santo Domingo and Colombia since it offers 4,800 weekly seats to that country with direct flights to Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. “We are very proud of the growth of our service in Colombia because it is a fundamental destination for Arajet, and less than 3 months after our start of operations we can already say with great pride that we are the first airline between Santo Domingo and Colombia,” said Víctor Pacheco. , CEO and founder of Arajet.

He said, “we are confident that our routes will strengthen commercial and tourist ties between the Dominican Republic and Colombia in the coming years, which will benefit thousands of Latin Americans and reinforce our mission to democratize the skies of the region.” According to the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (ANATO), the DR is among the 10 destinations that Colombians prefer when vacationing. Additionally, in 2022 Colombian travelers to the Dominican Republic grew by 154%, becoming in recent months the third nationality of tourists who mostly visit the country.

Since its launch in September 2022, more than 60,000 passengers have experienced Arajet’s service aboard its fleet of state-of-the-art Boeing 737MAX8 aircraft. According to a statement, the airline currently operates 18 destinations in 11 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

Association of Banks: inflation target established by the Central Bank is a pillar of stability

The Association of Multiple Banks of the Dominican Republic (ABA) today emphasized the importance of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic’s (BCRD) inflation targeting scheme in generating certainty in economic and financial agents and price stability for the sake of a business climate conducive to domestic and foreign investment. The ABA emphasized the importance of assuming the commitment to maintain inflation in the target range of 4% 1, beginning in 2012, except when inflationary pressures have a high imported component, as in the case of the post-covid situation and geopolitical conflicts that have generated supply and demand shocks.

In a press release, he stated that “the commitment and efforts to achieve the inflation target have been the compass of monetary policy, guiding the Dominican economy towards levels of sustained growth and peaks in the region over the last decade.” He also stated that economic growth is necessary to meet the social requirements and well-being of the population, and that stability in the country is required for this. Similarly, the union stated that this monetary policy has ensured the promotion of both domestic and foreign investment. “Economic stability is one of the primary inputs that investors consider when developing business plans, along with clear market rules, private security, legal security, and social stability,” according to the ABA. 

He recalled that, according to recent Central Bank data, average inflation fell from 13.0 to 3.5% over the last decade, providing certainty for establishing new businesses and expanding existing ones. The entity that brings together the country’s multiple banks recognized the importance of maintaining the country’s efforts to meet the Dominican Republic’s inflation target, thus contributing to the generation of jobs and wealth among the population.

Master of the Ocean announces sustainable water sports championship in Cabarete

During the launching, the organizers of the Master of the Ocean announced the goal to become the most sustainable water sports competition in the Americas; to be held next February from 23 to 28, 2023 in Cabarete.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic- The organizers of Master of the Ocean, the world championship of wind and waves in the Dominican Republic, held a pre-launch event, attended by multiple media, diplomats, government representatives, athletes, and partners.

Master of the Ocean, the most significant open waters competition in the region, has been officially announced, during an upbeat cocktail party at the prestigious and trendy Local 3 in Naco. The guests enjoyed Corona beer and Aqualy responsible water and succulent hors d’oeuvres, while event Founder Marcus Bohm, and Patricia Hiraldo, Coordinator, explained the details of this unique race. It is one of a kind, for summoning more than elite 80 athletes from 20 countries, in five disciplines: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, Stand Up Paddle, and wing foil.

Bohm announced the two international teams: Team Condor and Team Edelweiss, from Germany and Switzerland respectively. Thanks to these two airlines, Cabarete will receive some of the toughest extreme pro athletes on the planet.

Hiraldo in turn highlighted that the upcoming edition will be dedicated to sustainability. As the founder of Happy Dolphins DR, an organization dedicated to connecting communities with the ocean through training in swimming, lifesaving and surfing, Hiraldo commented that Master of the Ocean will take into account four important pillars: environment, community, sport and culture. The event seeks to become a showcase or exhibition event for sustainable practices such as composting, recycling, reusing materials and alternative energies, while avoiding the use of single-use plastics, among other measures.

Dominican riders in the limelight

The Dominican|French Victoria Bramtot, a talented 11-year-old girl already with a title in the DR Open Kite already under her wing, had the floor. Victoria will be the youngest competitor in the history of the Master of the Ocean.

Andrés Flores, 3 times national champion and national athlete of the year was welcomed. On November 10, at the Nazaré beach in Portugal, where the biggest waves in the world are found, Andrés Flores rode a wave by paddling, and he might well have broken a world record. The Guinness verdict is expected by the end of the year so stay tuned.

Brandon Sanford was also present; he is a seasoned Overall pro waterman from Cabarete with an acquired taste for tubular and big waves.

The event seeks not only to provide locals the opportunity to have a high-level sports experience on a par with professionals from other countries, but also to feel valued, motivated and projected internationally. A USD 10,000 prize has already been confirmed, and expect more, such as accommodation in premium hotels in Cabarete such as Lifestyle, coral friendly, 100% dominican Gingerly sun protection products, and services from your friendly courier, Encargo Paq.

About international teams

Thanks to the support of Swiss premium airline Edelweiss, Cabarete will host extraordinary athletes such as Balz Müller, aka Radiculo, a hydrofoil freestyle pioneer. Swiss trailblazers, renowned for their winter sports achievements, will flit the tropical waters of the Caribbean. Team Captain is Christian Gri Gri Mueller, legendary organizer of Engadin Snow, Engadin Wind and The X Project Switzerland.

Team Condor from Germany will be co-captained by Chris Bungher, German windsurfing champion and entrepreneur owner of the water sports school Südkap Surfing Sylt and Linus Erdman, legendary 8x champion kiter. Also joining are athletes Julian Wiemar, Lina Erpenstein and Yannick Mittas.

International media will be invited, which will not only cover the races but will also spread the word about the treasures of our beaches, perfect for wave and wind sports.

That is why members of the Swiss and German embassies were present. They expressed their support for the alliance between nations based on sports, culture and awareness of the importance of caring for our ocean.

About Master of the Ocean

Master of the Ocean is the only competition on the planet that brings together five disciplines in the same spot, Playa Encuentro, Cabarete, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The conditions are spectacular for most radical athletes from around the world, who come to this magical place, attracted by the breeze, the tropical temperatures around 28 degrees 365 days a year, the wonderful waves and the human warmth that characterizes the Dominican.

The Master of the Ocean was launched in 2003 as the Ironman of water sports by the German Marcus Bohm. Bohm is considered a surf ambassador in the Dominican Republic for his passion for all wind and waves sports, and his contribution to the community.

The event is organized by Happy Dolphins DR and is supported by the Ministries of Tourism, Environment and Defense; German Embassy and Swiss Embassy of Santo Domingo; Condor Airlines, Edelweiss Airlines, Millennium Resorts, Gingerly, Cable del Norte, Natura Cabana, Tubagua Ecolodge, Viva Wyndham Resorts, Lifestyle Holidays Hotels & Resorts, Tourist Customs, Puerto Plata Tourism Cluster, Cabarete Coffee Shop, Yamazato, DREAM Project, InspireDR, 321 Take Off, Corona, OJO Club|Lax, Europcar, Aqualy and Encargo PAQ.

Quintana Roo, less competitive than Punta Cana due to tax increases

The increase in hotel taxes promoted by Quintana Roo (Mexico) makes the destination less competitive in comparison to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), which offers better rates without feeling fiscally suffocated. The tension between the Mexican government and the Riviera Maya and Cancun hotel associations grows as the negotiations against the tax increase continue. According to Noticaribe, Riviera Maya hoteliers led by Antonio Chaves requested that the increase be phased in because there are “reservations and nights purchased for the beginning of 2023.”

On the other hand, the sector united in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Islas Mujeres led by Jesus Almaguer takes a more obstinate stance because they do not seek installment payments but rather negotiate a discount, claiming that the official initiative “will inhibit the arrival of tourists, particularly from South America.” Almaguer wants to reach an agreement that specifies how far the tax burden can be raised.

“What we seek is to increase tourism, and in doing so, we have come to ruin it; we are opposed to any increase, we have already ratified increases in various taxes and duties, and the intention to increase them is observed.” This will have a significant impact on the industry, as well as the tourists who visit Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean,” he asserted. In this regard, the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, announced additional tourism tax increases, increasing the lodging tax from 3% to 5% and the payroll tax from 3% to 4%, in addition to the 40% increase for the Environmental Sanitation Law in Cancun.

She confirmed that taxes had been discussed and analyzed with the sector to generate resources for social funds for security, health, social development, and tourism promotion.

Luis Abinader: “Baseball is not only part of our culture, it is part of our economy”

President Luis Abinader stated that the Dominican baseball industry has an economic impact of more than 400 million dollars due to academies’ investments, player compensation, and the creation of direct and indirect jobs, among other factors. “Baseball is not only part of our culture, but it is also part of our economy, and we talked to a group; I had lunch – I met Nelson Cruz on Saturday and there was a group there, and we were calculating that the impact of all baseball on the Dominican economy is approximately 400 million dollars in all dimensions, and that is a very significant impact,” Abinader said.

The president’s remarks came during the inauguration ceremony of the Major League Baseball Players Association’s (MLBPA) first international office, which aims to increase the support it provides to players during and after their major league careers. “We are excited to expand our international presence in the Dominican Republic.” The diversity of our baseball fraternity benefits our game. “The office demonstrates our strong commitment to continuing to advance and protect the rights of all international baseball players,” MLBPA CEO Tony Clark said in a press release.

Clark spoke in Spanish at the inauguration ceremony, thanking President Abinader and Sports Minister Francisco Camacho for their assistance in establishing the office in the country, emphasizing its significance because the Dominican Republic produces the most baseball players outside of the United States. More than 1,200 players, including an increasing number of international players, compete in Major League Baseball under the auspices of the MLBPA, which recently expanded its representation to include Minor League players, bringing total membership to more than 5,000.

The MLBPA is the union that represents players on all 30 Major League Baseball teams’ 40-man rosters. It also oversees MLB Players, Inc., which exclusively represents the group’s licensing and business activities involving active players.

David Collado: RD received over 570k tourists in November, totaling 6.3 million so far this year

According to published data, the Dominican Republic received 571,354 visitors in November, which is 50,000 more than in the same month last year, according to Tourism Minister David Collado. In this regard, the incumbent of the tourism portfolio stated that the country will receive 6.3 million tourists from January to November 2022.

The same data states, the Caribbean nation received 571,354 tourists by air in November, which is 50,000 more than those who arrived in the same month the previous year.

A rise in cruise passenger arrivals was also reported, with 195,270 visitors in November compared to 80,083 in the same month in 2021. So far this year, tourist arrivals have generated 7.8 billion dollars in foreign currency.

Rum and cigars, ambassadors of the Dominican Republic in India

The Dominican Republic promoted some of its best Dominican cigars and rum in New Delhi on Monday, some “flagship products” that also seek to “draw attention” to attract Indian tourism and investment. “Both are Dominican Republic flagship products representing the country’s culture and traditions.” “The idea behind these products is to draw attention not only to the country as a tourist destination but also to business and investment opportunities,” Dominican Ambassador David Puig told EFE.

The event promoted Barceló rum, which was founded in 1930 and, while present in India, must compete with Old Monk, which benefits from “a tradition of consumption” and a more competitive price by avoiding high taxes, according to Puig. “The strategy of Barceló rum,” he says, “is to sell its premium products here in India and position itself in a market with high purchasing power,” with members who “want to try new things.”

Regarding cigars, the ambassador emphasized that, while the Dominican Republic “is the world’s leading producer,” in India, Cubans control 95% of the cigar market, necessitating a change in strategy. “We are convinced that this is a market with vast potential,” he said, referring to a population with increasing resources and cosmopolitanism, “and the cigar has become an element of distinction” both in India and the rest of the world. Moisés Rodriguez, president of the tobacco company La Realeza, prepared live cigars armed with tobacco leaves and various industry instruments to demonstrate the qualities of the Dominican cigar.

“Our Dominican cigar is a very special cigar because it is made with different varieties of tobacco with a certain aging, a very reliable texture for the smoker, and the nicotine level has already become noble due to the aging of its leaves,” he emphasizes. According to Dominican Republic data, bilateral trade with India has increased “consistently in recent years,” reaching 1,000 million dollars in 2020, 700 of which are favorable to the Caribbean country, particularly gold, “followed by ferronickel and, to a lesser extent, cocoa beans.” Imports from India were mostly restricted to the pharmaceutical industry.

Mitur will inject RD$250 million to the tourist promotion of Santiago

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the entity would allocate 250 million pesos to strengthen and promote the tourist attractions of the First Santiago of America in international scenarios.

He informed that the next year 2023, he will present Santiago de los Caballeros as a tourist destination when the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) attends the ANATO fair in Bogota, which will be dedicated to the Dominican Republic and will be held from February 22 to 24.

According to the information provided, of the 250 million pesos, 10 million will be destined to design the Santiago City Brand requested by the Tourism Cluster. At the same time, 40 million will be dedicated to the promotion and support of the cultural activities that take place in the Historical Center, which are carried out by the entities that have to do with the organization of these types of events, support for the carnival, the Son de Keka that takes place in the crowded sector of Los Pepines, among others.

The remaining 200 million will be used to renovate areas in the Historic Center of the city, which the Tourism Cluster will indicate as necessary and important.

The Minister of Tourism announced that following Monday, December 5, he would return to Santiago to sign a work and inter-institutional collaboration agreement with the Clúster Santiago Destino Turístico.

The information was made during a working meeting with the Clúster Santiago Destino Turístico, directed by the communicators Ramón Paulino and Yomaris Gómez, which took place at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante Hotel & Casino.

The minister was accompanied by his primary team, the vice-minister of destination management Patricia Mejía; vice-minister of promotion, Tammy Reynoso; Rosanna Camarena director of international offices and Enrique Pensó director of marketing.

In addition, during the activity, Ramón Paulino made a complete presentation of all the tourist attractions of the city of Santiago, among them the Centro León, the Santiago Apostle Cathedral, the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, the route of the murals, the City Tour Santiago, the museums and buildings, as well as the projections for the immediate future with the construction of road works by the Central Government, as well as the investment of the private sector with the construction of new hotels, restaurants and highlighting Santiago as a destination of excellent health services for nationals and foreigners.

In addition to Paulino, the meeting was attended by Germán Ulises Polanco, president of the Santiago Hotel Association, Saúl Abreu of the Association for the Development of Santiago (APEDI), Teófilo Gómez, general manager of the Cibao International Airport, Ángel Hernández of Hodelpa Hotels and Amalia Moscoso, of the Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago.

Meet the 3 cruise ships that have brought the most passengers to the Dominican Republic in 2022

The Dominican Republic is an attractive destination for cruise tourism since, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), 807,489 cruise passengers disembarked in the DR in the first nine months of the year (the figure includes cabotage, i.e., passengers going from one Dominican port to another). The port of Amber Cove, in Puerto Plata, welcomed 54.3% of them.

Passengers of 188 nationalities, with 54% women and 28.7% between the ages of 57 and 75, arrived on 159 vessels (475 port calls).

The figures pertain to cruise ships of various companies, sizes, and status, and according to Revista Mercado, the three that brought the most passengers to the DR between January and September are:

Carnival Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras brought over 125,000 cruise passengers of 121 nationalities, all embarked at Port Canaveral (Florida) and disembarked at Amber Cove.

More than 15% of the cruise passengers who have disembarked in the Dominican Republic have done so on the back of the Mardi Gras. Weighing 180,000 tons, 42 meters wide, and 344 meters long, this imposing cruise ship can accommodate 5,282 passengers with a crew of 1,745. It has 13 decks and reaches a speed of 23 knots.

Carnival Horizon

The cruise ship has brought nearly 112,000 passengers to the DR in the first three quarters of 2022, linking the port of Miami with Amber Cove (61,949 passengers) and La Romana (49,942). With a capacity for 3,960 passengers and almost 1,500 crew members, Horizon weighs more than 133,000 tons and dimensions 324 meters long and 37 meters wide. She has 15 decks and 1,987 cabins, and her sailing speed is 18 knots.

MSC Seashore

With 170,000 tons, 339 meters long and 41 meters wide, the MSC Seashore joined Miami and Taino Bay, Puerto Plata, to transport 52,709 people between January and September. A capital ship with 20 decks, 2,270 cabins, and a capacity for 5,877 passengers and 1,648 crew members.

A US ship that offers medical care is in the country

As part of the hospital ship USNS Comfort’s visit to the country, American and Dominican doctors collaborate to provide free medical care to vulnerable people. General medicine, pediatrics, optometry, and dentistry services will be available at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s Volleyball Pavilion until December 5, and at the Azua Sports Center from November 28 to December 4, on board the ship US Navy Hospital USNS Comfort surgeries will be performed on patients previously selected by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service. 

On behalf of the US Embassy, Acting Minister Counselor Alexander Titolo explained that they will provide training opportunities and expert exchanges on a variety of topics such as humanitarian assistance, disaster response, public health, food safety, and veterinary care, as well as exchanges with Dominican military personnel and professionals from various veterinary specialties; concerts; emergency drills; gender violence prevention workshops; and sports activities. Daniel Rivera, Minister of Public Health, stated that the ship has 1,000 beds, an operating room, and critical care to provide medical services to the people of the National District and Azua.

Similarly, General Laura J. Richardson, commander of the United States Southern Command, stated that this is the seventh mission that the USNS COMFORT has carried out in the Caribbean region as part of its collective vision of mutual prosperity and shared values, ensuring security.

Air Century extends flights to Havana and Miami from SD and PC

The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) announced that the request for the extension of the Special Permit to the national airline Air Century in the Santo Domingo/Havana, SD/Santiago de Cuba, and Punta Cana/Miami connections had been received and approved until June 30, 2023. Flights between Santo Domingo and Havana will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays; flights between Santo Domingo and Santiago will take place twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays; and flights between Santo Domingo and Miami will take place four times a week, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

While the Punta Cana/Miami connection will have four flights per week (Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Air Century will operate the routes on Airbus 321 aircraft with a capacity of 220 passengers, flying 462 round-trip flights between November 27, 2022, and June 30, 2023. This operator transported a total of 37,343 passengers in 2,232 inbound and outbound air operations between January and October 2022. Similarly, the request for an amendment to Frontier Airlines’ Operation Permit to include the Atlanta/Santo Domingo/Atlanta route was made public.

Frontier mobilized 660,506 passengers in 4,695 input and output operations between January 2021 and October 2022, according to data provided by the JAC Air Transportation Department. The operator’s flights will begin on May 21, 2023, in Airbus A320 Neo (32N) type aircraft with a capacity of 186 seats, with a frequency of two operations per week on Mondays and Fridays, with a total capacity of 10,237 passengers mobilized between May and December of next year. In this regard, JAC President José Marte Piantini stated that the route will provide a low-cost option without stops, allowing Dominicans to travel between Atlanta and Santo Domingo at lower costs.

“This is evidence of progress in integrating new commercial routes into the country’s air transportation,” he said. Finally, the plenary heard Copa Airlines and Turkish Airlines’ request for approval of operations under the Shared Code modality. Copa will be the effective operator on the Panama/Santo Domingo/Panama and Panama/Punta Cana/Panama routes under the agreement, while Turkish will be the market operator.

Christmas Themes parks in Dominican Republic

With the opening of two theme parks from December 1 to January 6, 2023, Santo Domingo and Santiago will have a space for family fun and recreation during the Christmas holidays. The parks will be installed under the name “Villa Navidad” in the Olympic Center’s Palacio de Los Deportes gardens and another in the Santiago monument, with which the time lights will be turned on.

This was announced yesterday by the Presidency’s Administrative Minister, José Ignacio Paliza; the general administrator of the Banco de Reservas, Samuel Pereyra; and the mayor, Carolina Mejia, who stated that on December 1, at 7:00 p.m., President Luis Abinader and Vice President Santiago will inaugurate the park in the capital. In addition to the Christmas lights, there will be presentations and artistic shows, typical Christmas characters such as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, elves, puppets, snow tunnels, and other attractions for the enjoyment of families, particularly the youngest members of the household. It will be from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

According to the Presidency’s Administrative Minister, José Ignacio Paliza, it is a public-private partnership effort with funds provided by the Government and private companies, with the security of place so that families can enjoy without worrying about elements of insecurity. He stated that to gain access to these free spaces, it will be necessary to follow regulations such as not carrying firearms and not carrying devices that could be used inappropriately.

The Head of the US Southern Command met with the Minister of Defense of the DR

Laura Jane Richardson, the commander of the United States Navy’s Southern Command, met with the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, on Tuesday morning, though the nature of the agreement was not disclosed. Richardson is in Dominican territory as part of a humanitarian mission carried out by the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship as part of the Mission “Continuing Promise 2022,” in which she will provide health services until December 5 of next year.

On Tuesday, the military also attended a health fair at the Mauricio Báez Foundation. She is scheduled to attend a graduation at the Battle of the Races Military Academy at 3:00 p.m. During the day, she will also visit the Comfort Mission’s health centers, and on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., she will attend the inauguration of the Comfort Hospital Ship’s visit to the naval club for officers in San Sousi.

Laura Richardson is scheduled to leave the Dominican Republic on Thursday, but no further details have been released. It should be noted that the appointment of the head of the Southern Command comes at a time when the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic has been strained by many factors, including a ban on Dominican sugar, criticism of the Dominican Republic’s deportation of undocumented Haitians, and an accusation of racism leveled against the country by the American embassy.

Aerodom asks passengers to arrive at airports 3 hours in advance

Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) recommends that users who intend to travel to the Dominican Republic during December arrive at the airport terminals at least 3 hours in advance, due to unprecedented traffic in Dominican aviation history. Aerodom’s Director of Corporate Communication, Luis José López, provided the information while pointing out that the company established new facilities for people traveling through the Las Américas International Airport (AILA) and other terminals on Christmas Eve in April of this year.

In an interview with CDN in Despierta, the business executive stated that they have seen an extraordinary recovery in the number of travelers, exceeding the number of people who entered the country in 2019, “which had been the record year for the company” throughout its history.

López stated that he expects over 600,000 passengers to pass through the Las Américas International Airport in December, which is why they have already reinforced all processes with the assistance of the government entities that operate at the airport.

Inverotel to add US$1 billion to its investments in the Dominican Republic by 2023

Encarna Piñero, president of the Association of Spanish Investors in Caribbean Tourism (Inverotel), reiterated the vision and commitment of the companies that make up the entity to the Dominican Republic, as she announced an addition of around US$1 billion to the investments they make in the country.

“We are adding more investment in the form of innovation, sustainability and, above all, in our people, in our human capital, and in the communities around us,” she added.

Piñero recalled that contributions also occur in other ways “when difficult times squeeze us. The most recent example is provided by the passage of Fiona, where, after its impact, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, both humanly and economically, to repair the damage and assist those most affected.”

Regarding Inverotel’s commitment to the construction of more hotel properties, Ramón Roselló, executive director, indicated to arecoa.com that they continue to bet on the Dominican destination to expand the offer of Spanish lodging with the construction of two hotels at present.

He detailed that one of them is by Fuerte Group Hotels in Miches and Meliá Hotels International, which is improving and building a third hotel in Punta Cana.

“And we have a projection of a very important hotel and that surely in a couple of years we will see it materialized,” he added.

He said that Inverotel’s investment is already expanding beyond the traction destinations because the Iberostar Group will have a property in Pedernales, “and it is very likely that in Miches, we will have other surprises.”

Minister of Tourism highlights the work of the press in favor of tourism in the Dominican Republic

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, highlighted the work of the tourism press and its essential role in promoting the Dominican Republic.

“We firmly believe in the tourism press and their hard work, a constructive press where the landscapes and essence of the Dominican Republic are highlighted, Adompretur is an institution in which we firmly believe and we congratulate the effort to make these awards,” he said.

His statements were offered at the ceremony of the XVIII edition of the Epifanio Lantigua National Tourism Journalism Award (PEL) 2022, held by the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur).

Collado reaffirmed his support for the industry that generates jobs and foreign exchange. He also congratulated the journalists who promoted the country’s attractions with their reports.

Meanwhile, Yenny Polaco Lovera, president of Adompretur, stressed that “we reward journalists and communicators who invest their time in highlighting the tourist beauties, the existing needs and why not, the denunciation of irregularities in the sector to make them visible to the authorities, always attached to the ethics and duty of the tourism journalist.”

He acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) directed by David Collado, the Banco Popular Dominicano, and the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo, which, together with other essential sponsors, have trusted in the project that exalts good tourism journalism.

Winners
Grand prize: Anyelo Mercedes, who also received the written press award for his reports “Muchas aguas, recurso natural que muta y no deja de sorprender,” “Belleza Salto del 12, en Gonzalo, lo hace parecer lugar místico”, published in the newspaper El Día.

East Region: Paula Reyes Dipré, for her report on La Romana broadcast on the program Noti Turismo con Paola.

North Region: Daniel Mercado for his report “Sosúa, un lugar de ensueño,” published in www.sosuadigital.com.

Television Documentary: Alexander Martínez Bonilla for his work “Encantos de San José de Ocoa,” broadcast on Super, channel 33.

Television or YouTube: Cristian Santana for his report “La ruta de murales de Ciudad Nueva, nueva opción de turismo en República Dominicana,” broadcast on channel 25.

Photography: Jorge González for his sequence of photographs taken in the Colonial City, El Morro, and the Sendero de las Cruces, published in the newspaper El Nacional.

Art & Culture: Jesús Vásquez for his works “Aguas termales: una industria virgen para el turismo dominicano” and “Sarandunga, arte, tradición y fe,” published in www.acento.com.do

Digital press: Daniela Pujols for her report “Cayo Arena, a paradise of crystalline waters and colorful fish,” published in Diario Libre.

Specialized media: El Nuevo Diario newspaper and its director Persio Maldonado, who was represented by Jaime Rincón, executive of the media.

Honorable mention: Génesis Paché for her reports on Dominican handicrafts, published in the newspapers El Tiempo and Bavaronews of Bávaro.

Special Recognition
Ventura Serra and journalist José Rafael Sosa for their constant support of the Award and the initiatives carried out by Adompretur.

Honorable mention to Génesis Paché for her reports on Dominican handicrafts, published in the newspapers El Tiempo and Bavaronews of Bávaro.