Cibao Airport begins direct flights between Santiago and Madrid in June

The Cibao International Airport announced this Friday, June of this year marks the start of a direct flight between Santiago de los Caballeros, in the Dominican Republic, and Madrid, Spain. The route, which will be operated by the airline World2Fly, will have a weekly frequency, every Wednesday, to offer more and better air connectivity opportunities to Dominicans and foreigners. The flights of the new route begin on June 21 from the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport to the Cibao Airport.

Félix García, president of the Board of Directors of the Cibaeña terminal, stated that the start of this route is a sign of the confidence that Wold2Fly executives have in a community that grows and develops with the potential of this destination. The businessman thanked the management of the VDT Group – Air Consolidator and Travel Wholesaler to achieve the start of that flight.

He also predicted that these operations will be successful. Executives of the airline informed that they already have the sale of tickets available on their website open.

Canada-Dominican Republic open skies agreement will protect users from “unfair price increases”.

The air transport or open skies agreement recently signed between Canada and the Dominican Republic is an “important step” in bilateral relations and will have a “direct impact” in several areas, such as a greater capacity to protect users from “unfair price increases,” said the Dominican ambassador to that country,

Cohen reiterated some of the benefits that the agreement provides for both nations, including the release of air frequencies, the possibility of integrating new airlines, also grants air traffic rights, strengthening the commitment and guarantees of aircraft safety, better service, and ground handling for aircraft from or in transit to Canada.

“Another of the benefits that the government has highlighted after the agreement is the reduction in the cost of airline flights, a statement that Cohen corroborates by assuring that “a greater supply… demand has to be incentivized in the reduction of prices,” he added.

According to the diplomat, the agreement also encourages airlines to offer promotional packages and look after users’ interests, for example, in the event of unfair increases in ticket prices.

“Governments have much greater capacity to protect the consumer and to have the capacity to verify prices that affect the final consumer, that is to say, that are unfairly increased,” he explained.

He indicated that “such restrictions, which are generally caused by the abuse of a dominant position, both States will be able to intervene in them,” according to Diario Libre.

When does it enter into force?
The agreement, signed on February 2, is awaiting the process of observations and ratification by both countries, which will give it the “force of entry into force.” The diplomat explained this process corresponds to the Canadian parliament and the Dominican Congress22.

“Each country has its own time and process,” said Cohen when questioned about the possible date on which the agreement could be implemented.

The signing of the open skies agreement between the Dominican Republic and Canada is a “manifestation that diplomatic relations have laid the foundations of trust” in the Dominican Republic and a “joint work” aimed at that goal, said Cohen, without wishing to reduce the efforts of each actor involved in a process, which, according to them, took about 14 years.

According to data from the Presidency of the Republic, between 2016 and 2021, trade exchange between Canada and the Dominican Republic amounted to US$4,123.6 million, of which 74% corresponded to Dominican exports.

Regarding tourism, Canada is the second largest issuing country of foreign visitors to the Dominican Republic, second only to the United States. In January 2023, 122,000 Canadians entered the country, representing 16% of the total number of tourists arriving in the country.

Trade between the DR and the European Union reached in 2022 the sum of 4,137 MM euros

The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) and the Eurochamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of developing joint initiatives that promote legal trade between the country and the European Union through technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and training. Katja Afheldt, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the European Union in the DR, explained that bilateral trade between the EU and the country increased to €4.1 billion in 2022, representing a 20% increase compared to 2021. This figure accounted for 11.15% of the European market’s total trade, and some of the main products that the DR exports include bananas, avocados, walnuts, medical equipment, and metal foundries such as ferronickel, cocoa, and tobacco, among others.

“We recognize the Dominican Republic as the main trading partner and investment destination in the Caribbean region from the European Union. The cooperation between the European Parliament and the DGA will be an important complement to the information available through the information channels we offer and the support that the EU provides for the development of commercial ties between Europe and the DR,” said Afheldt.

Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, General Director of Customs, stated, “Today is a historic day for our institution since the cultural and historical ties of descent that we have with the European Union are vast and essential for the preservation of our culture and our way of life. For this reason, we count on the DGA, the government of Luis Abinader, and a country that is increasingly aware that its participation in the world depends on the progress of its people.”

He stressed that this agreement is of paramount importance for the entity. “Customs of the 21st century are not merely tax collectors but are facilitators of trade, business, entrepreneurship, and port security,’ said Lovatón. ‘This MOU addresses several of these objectives as it gives us additional credibility: a trade facilitation channel for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) and exchanges that we must have in training for any eventuality that occurs,” he added.

On the other hand, Fabio Guzmán Saladín, President of the European Parliament, assured that there is a clear trend of solid and diversified growth in economic and commercial relations between both countries. “We hope that this agreement will bring multiple opportunities to the Dominican nation and all member countries of the European Union to continue developing and facilitating trade relations.”

More on the deal

Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Eurochamber undertakes to support the different foreign trade incentive programs that Customs has, such as Dispatch in 24 Hours, the certification of the Authorized Economic Operator (OEA), Exporta Más, among others. Making them known among the commercial community and the members of the Eurochamber. Among the issues to be worked on in the signed pact are: cooperation in training programs, publication programs, incentives of exports between both countries, initiatives for trade promotion between both nations and exchange of exhibitors.

The agreement entered into force from the date of its signing and will remain in force indefinitely, until either party expresses to the other, the will to terminate it. During the signing of the agreement, the deputy directors were present: Daniel Peña, from Technology of the DGA; Johannes Kelner, deputy director of the DGA; Ángel Encarnación, DGA operative; Gabino José Polanco, from the DGA Technical Area; Anulfo Pascual, from Zona Franca; Francis Almonte, DGA administrator; as well as: Jean Marco Pou Fernández, vice president of the RD Eurochamber; Luis Araque, head of the Commercial Section of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, among others.

UNWTO says Dominican Republic is the brightest country in the world

The tourism event was formally inaugurated today with the traditional ribbon-cutting of the Dominican Republic stand by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, businessmen, representatives of the main Dominican banks and hoteliers, and the gaze of visitors to this edition of the ITB Berlin 2023 international fair. The Minister of Tourism said that work was done here and that it is time to move forward and be innovative so that the Caribbean continues to talk about the Dominican Republic. The showy and colorful Dominican stand showed the Germans and Europeans the joy of the Dominicans with the song Dominicano Soy in the voice of Carmen Elena, who danced and sang in tune with the merengue, added to the immersive screens with beaches, coconut trees, whales in the high seas, fish and other attractions.

The president of Asonahores, David Llibre, highlighted the interest of the visit to continue growing in the German destination. Frank Rainieri valued the minister’s visit to Germany and highlighted his leadership in reaching this fair in a fundamental market for the development of the sector, which allowed it to grow as a tourist country. Rainieri pointed out the importance of rescuing this market together with the Swiss, and Italian and commented on the assessment of the “Roadshow” of the minister the night before. He asked to repeat that presentation in five European markets such as Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, and Hamburg. The executive vice president of Asonahores, Andrés Marranzini, also appreciated the importance of the ITB Berlin and congratulated Collado on the “Roadshow”.

Present at the inauguration of the stand was the ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Berlin, Germany, Francisco Caraballo; the president of Asonahores, David Llibre; the vice president of the entity, Andrés Marranzini; the administrator of the Reserve Bank, Samuel Pereyra; the vice president of international business of Banco Popular Dominicano (BPD), Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva; José Marte Piantini, director of the Civil Aviation Board (IDAC), and Frank Rainieri, president of the Board of Grupo Puntacana. Subsequently, the minister signed an agreement in which he announced that for the first time, the Republic will have a chair in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since the 118th meeting of the UNWTO Council will be held in Punta Cana.

Carnival, the first cruise line to sail with 100 million passengers

Carnival Cruise Line achieved a major industry milestone by becoming the first cruise line to embark 100 million passengers since its first sailing more than five decades ago. Carnival President Christine Duffy visited Carnival Sunrise as guests boarded the ship at PortMiami, where the cruise line’s 100 million-passenger milestone was commemorated.

“We are the first cruise line to reach this incredible 100 million guest mark and I think it is a testament to the fun and inclusive atmosphere that our valued guests and extraordinary team members have created together on board our ships over the years,” Duffy said in a statement. “Certainly, there is much more fun to come. We continue to scale up our operations at a rapid pace, with three ships joining our fleet by spring of next year,” she added. The milestone comes as Carnival prepares to debut a new ship in May on Carnival Venezia, which will expand its New York offerings from seasonal to year-round.

Carnival Jubilee, a third sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, will join the fleet and sail from Galveston, Texas later this year, while Carnival Firenze, a sister ship to Carnival Venezia, will begin offering cruises year-round. year from Long Beach, California.

Cuban agency offers travel package to Punta Cana with tourist visa included

The DimeCuba Travel agency announced that it offers the tourist visa option to enter the Dominican Republic from Cuba with prices starting at $999 per person. In addition to the management of the document, eight days and seven nights are offered in an all-inclusive hotel. It is indicated that said requirement allows residents of the Greater Antilles to make trips for tourist and cultural purposes, as well as to attend congresses or conventions. Its validity is for a period of 60 days and allows single or multiple entries.

Your request can be made in different ways, but one of the most recommended, to also enjoy Punta Cana, is through travel packages. The promotion also includes roundtrip airfare from Miami and Cuba, as well as ground transportation to the hotel. DimeCuba offers its clients the possibility of reserving now for a summer vacation and paying in installments from US$100.

The agency’s packages allow the possibility of taking passengers from Cuba and achieving a family reunion in Punta Cana with those who reside in the US.

Rainieri: “All hotels are experiencing good occupancy”

Frank Rainieri, promoter of the Puntacana Group, said that hotel occupancy in the tourist destination of Punta Cana is currently excellent because it is above 75%.

“This week, we have 576 flights at the Punta Cana International Airport; in other words, thank God we are in a truly high and continuous season, all the hotels are experiencing good occupancy,” he added.

He explained that “we do not have a price war as in the past, we even have a problem of lack of personnel in almost all the hotels because with so many hotels opening, it is natural that they are offered more money and they leave, but we continue to train personnel, so for the Dominican Republic we are in a very important moment because we are in a tourist boom.”

Puerto Plata landmark: for the first time 5 cruise ships arrive simultaneously

A total of 19,883 cruise passengers arrived on Wednesday, March 15 of this year, in the province of Puerto Plata, which received five cruise ships simultaneously for the first time in its history.

Of the five, three entered through the tourist port of Taino Bay, while two entered through the terminal in the bay of the municipal district of Maimon, Amber Cove.

At the ITM Group’s port, Taino Bay, three cruise ships were received simultaneously for the second time; the Seven Seas Navigator with 494 passengers and 362 crew members; the NCL Pearl with 2,165 passengers and 1,080 crew members; and the Celebrity Silhouette with 2,859 passengers and 1,207 crew members.

Meanwhile, at the Amber Cove terminal, the Carnival Mardi Gras with 6,381 passengers and 1,754 crew members and the Rotterdam with 2,616 passengers and 965 crew members, according to the regional director of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), Atahualpa Paulino.

Altos de Chavón, Dominican Republic one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean

Looking for something a little different?

How about an authentic touch of the Mediterranean… In the Dominican Republic?

La Romana’s Altos de Chavón was listed as One of the 28 Most Beautiful Places in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveler.

Sculpted entirely of stone, Altos de Chavón —a model 16th-century Mediterranean village—sits 300 feet above the Chavón River. Built over a period of six years, the village opened in 1982 with Frank Sinatra performing live at the 5,000-seat Grecian-style outdoor amphitheater, where numerous world artists have since performed. Today, the village is a delightful place to tour for its charming medieval feel, its architecture, a plethora of cigar, clothing, and jewelry shops, fine dining, bars, and arts and crafts. Its centerpiece, the St. Stanislaus Church, is a popular wedding site in the DR, with its unmatched views over the river. To boot, the Altos de Chavón Archaeological Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections on indigenous culture in the DR.

The panoramic views over the Chavón River and over the Dye Fore golf course, which borders on the east side, make Altos de Chavón a perfect photo stop on a journey through La Romana. There’s an entrance fee for non-guests of Casa de Campo, or you can book a tour of the village. At night, the setting becomes even more magical, with romantic lighting on the stone plazas and dining verandas overlooking the river.

Jetblue will connect to Orlando without layovers with Punta Cana and Santiago

Jetblue announced a new non-layover service between Orlando International Airport (MCO), scheduled to debut in November 2023, with flights from Orlando to Punta Cana and Santiago, Dominican Republic. Tickets are already on sale and prices start from US$ 123. Once the service begins, Jetblue will become the only airline to serve Santiago with a service with no layover from Orlando. The new flights that connect Orlando with the Dominican Republic will offer Florida customers more options for pleasure trips and encourage the important presence of the airline in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Punta Cana and Santiago are the main destinations of the Caribbean, but there are limited options for customers to get there from Orlando,” said David Jehn, Vice President of Network Planning and Jetblue associations. In addition, he added that “these new routes, which will also enable our combination with Spirit, will position us to provide even more growth and connectivity to popular destinations for customers in Central Florida.” After its planned combination with Spirit Airlines, the airline hopes to reach 200 daily flights from Orlando by 2027. Jetblue would offer flights to approximately 20 markets that currently do not attend to either of the two airlines from Orlando and increase the flight frequencies on about 25 additional routes.

The airline estimates that its plan would add approximately 350 new jobs in the airports in Orlando while supporting greater economic activity throughout the region that is anticipated to lead to a greater growth of employment.

Begoña Amengual: “The W Punta Cana is our star project in Dominican Republic”

The Executive Vice President of Mac Hotels, Begoña Amengual, said that the W All-Inclusive Punta Cana is the star project of the hotel chain in the Dominican Republic. “We have been visiting DR for a long time, we have invested in projects several times but this hotel is our star project and we are very excited,” she emphasized. She indicated to Arecoa.com that the partners that accompany her (Puntacana Group and Marriott Hotels) are the first category, which guarantees success. In addition, she indicated that the confidence in the Dominican collaborator and the commitment, and facilities that the Government gives to tourism keep the investment interest in the Caribbean destination of the family hotel company alive.

“It was in 2018 when my father Miguel Amengual Cifre visited the land in Uvero Alto; He saw it, fell in love, bought it, and from there began the concern of licenses and terminology to develop the Pure Salt Orchidarium project. This hotel was going to assume the hotel knowledge of life; An ultra-luxury project that unfortunately could not be carried out due to the arrival of COVID-19 and decided to safeguard the Spanish heritage due to the uncertainty of the moment, ” she said. Begoña emphasized that resuming the project occurred in August 2021 when her father reiterated that investing in the Dominican Republic was of the utmost importance.

“We decided that this path should not be traveled alone and there was the opportunity to meet the Rainieri family. With them, it unites the passion for tourism, the passion for work, and for the family, and therefore it was easy to reach decisions; Then we had the opportunity to establish a relationship with Marriott, ” she said. She reiterated that after the given steps and the union between the brands, the hotel will be an icon in the Caribbean.

Design Week Dominican Republic 2023 is inaugurated, a country brand proposal

Talking about fashion is talking about identity, this is how it was lived at the inauguration of Design Week RD 2023. This platform, created by the designer Jorge Brown, is a commitment to “make visible and value creative identity as a country brand”, celebrating the growth of the sector and its impact at a national and international level. On this occasion, the Fray Antonio de Montesino Monument was the setting chosen to inaugurate this edition that highlights Dominican fashion. The event was attended by important personalities from politics, fashion, and communication, including the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña, Carlos Bonilla, the Minister of Housing and Buildings, and the Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán.

Design Week RD 2023 seeks to reconnect the origin of Latin American culture and this year it returned to its origin using the streets of the Colonial City so that design is the axis and brand of this metropolis until March 19, showing the proposals of designers from reference, emerging and innovative bets in the national and international industry that seek to redesign the world. Under the framework of DWRD week, the attending public will enjoy the First City of America, local talent, fashion, architectural design, interior design, industrial design, crafts, and hundreds of contemporary works of art in curated sections, presenting outstanding programs of national and international galleries meticulously chosen for artistic enjoyment. The inauguration was attended by international speakers, Adriana Cisneros, Sofia Perazzo, Ana Mombiedro, Kai Diederichsen, Juan Carlos Baumgartner, Kathylka González, Mies Anderson, Marwan Al Sayed, Ginger Wang, Caroline Corbin, Andrea Cesarman, Tomás Vera, Ana Ma. Fríes , Rafael Freiré, Mónica Sordo, Carolina Figueredo, Caterina Licitra, Maurizio Bianchi, Fernando Laposse, Christian Mohaded, Andrés Aybar, Karim Rachid and Hernan Arriga.

“The design week in the Dominican Republic, Design Week RD, was born with the purpose of connecting more as a country and as a union, exposing ourselves internationally. An initiative that intends to contribute to the development of the Country Brand, strengthen the Dominican identity, promote our creative industries and create strategic plans that elevate the design and image of the country in the world,” said Jorge Brown Cott, executive director, and CCO Design Week RD.

Dominican Republic is positioned as a Cruise Hub in the Caribbean region

The Dominican Republic received more than 250,000 cruise passengers this February, which represents 157% more than the same period in 2022, figures that place the country as a Cruise Hub in the Caribbean region. According to data from the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), among the main ports that received visitors this year are Amber Cove, in Puerto Plata, which received 95,933 visitors, and Taíno Bay in the same city, which welcomed 80,393 tourists. In addition, the La Romana Tourist Terminal, with 52,131 cruise passengers. In the ports of Santa Bárbara de Samaná, Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Ferries, and Catalina Island, a total of 22,461 visitors were present.

The Dominican Republic has become one of the main destinations for cruise lines from around the world, finding support in the administration of President Luis Abinader with new investments for the reconstruction and construction of ports, through APORDOM. It is recalled that recently, President Luis Abinader together with Jean Luis Rodríguez delivered the second stage of the Taíno Bay tourist and cargo terminal in San Felipe in “La Novia del Atlántico” Puerto Plata, with an investment of more than US$15 million. Dollars.

During the inauguration of the project, the president highlighted the importance of the investment and how the Dominican Republic has already become a Cruise Hub in the Caribbean region.

US banking crisis will not affect the financial system of the Dominican Republic

The Monetary Board concluded in an extraordinary session held yesterday that the Dominican financial system has no direct interaction with failed banks in the United States. At the meeting, aimed at discussing the situation presented by international markets after the bankruptcy and closure of operations of the Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, in the United States of America, the strength of the country’s financial system was highlighted. The authorities analyzed the causes that led to the closure of these entities, the measures adopted by the US government authorities, and the evolution of the main stock market indices in advanced economies.

In a press release from the Central Bank (BCRD) it is explained that at yesterday’s meeting, the authorities highlighted the strength of the Dominican financial system, reflected in sufficient liquidity and capital provisions to absorb unexpected shocks and maintain the orderly operation of the financial market. It was pointed out that, as of March 2023, the delinquency ratio of multiple banks remains at 1.0% with reserves that are four times higher than nonperforming loans, while regulatory solvency amounts to 15.3% as of December 2022, higher than the 10 % required by the Monetary and Financial Law. Likewise, it was determined that the International Reserves of the Central Bank, which to date amount to US$15.6 billion, are not exposed to the affected entities and are invested in first-line financial institutions and high credit quality.

In that same order, it was pointed out that international investors continue to value the Dominican economy very positively, as a result of the strength of its fundamentals and the stability of the Dominican peso, which to date reflects an accumulated appreciation of 2.6%.

Asonahores: “We did very well at ITB, we achieved greater connectivity”

The hotel sector of the Dominican Republic expressed its joy at the success achieved at the last IBT Berlin 2023 fair and highlighted that the presentation of the country made by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, to travel agencies and tour operators was very important to reconnect with the European market. “At the end of the ITB Berlin Fair, we can highlight that we managed to get closer again to the German market, which is a fundamental market for the Dominican Republic since it has supported us since the beginning of Dominican tourism. The participation of our country and our Minister of Tourism confirms the commitment that the Dominican Republic has with the German market”, explained the president of the Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), David Llibre. In the same way, he said that everyone witnessed the achievements in terms of air connectivity. He recalled that Cóndor maintains its flights to the Dominican Republic and is committed to exploring increasing an additional flight and a new flight to Puerto Plata from Zurich was achieved, according to Listín Diario.

During the meeting in Germany, the country managed to get Cóndor to maintain its seven flights and the possibility of starting an additional one in the summer, which will fill the Air France departure in the summer. In winter it makes 10 flights. Agreements were also signed with other important airlines such as Swiss Edelweiss, from Zurich. The participation of the country, both from participants from the private sector, public sector, and the press demonstrates the commitment to the tourism sector and the European market, he pointed out. Likewise, the vice president of Asonahores, Andrés Marranzini, maintained that many people attended the fair after the evolution of the European air route with some flights in the cancellation phase and others being fixed, and for this reason, the “face-to-face” with the European airlines and tour operators was very important so that they know about the recovery of the industry to continue maintaining their commitment to a destination that operates responsibly and coherently like the Dominican one.

“We did very well at ITB Berlin. The objective was to make a presentation after three years of closing the fair. It went well for us, ”he emphasized. It is recalled that the ITB Berlin took place at the Messe Berlin fairgrounds from the 7th to the 9th of this month, it had around 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries, a great demand for exhibitors from the Middle East, the cruise industry, and the sector of travel technology.

Playa Hotels will manage a new 404-room resort in Samaná

Playa Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement to manage a new 404-room Wyndham Alltra resort located in the northeast section of the Samaná peninsula in the Dominican Republic. The renamed Wyndham Alltra Samaná property is scheduled to open its doors in the third quarter of this year (2023) since the renovation will be done to “align with Alltra standards,” according to a statement. “We are pleased to continue the growth of the Wyndham Alltra brand and are excited to launch a new property in a fast-growing region of the Dominican Republic,” said Fernando Mulet, Playa Hotels’ chief investment officer.

“Many developers are beginning to hear about Samaná and we are excited to support awareness of this attractive destination with the opening of this new resort,” he added. The resort will serve as the fourth Wyndham Alltra managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts and the first outside of Mexico. The brand’s other resorts are in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Riviera Nayarit.

Playa Hotels hasn’t revealed which resort is being rebranded, though given the size and location, it’s likely the all-inclusive, 400-room Grand Paradise in Samaná. “Designed to serve the upper-middle-scale segment, the rebrand will ensure that guests enjoy first-class food and beverages, services, amenities, and activities with expressive local flavor at exceptional value,” the hotel said.

The Dominican Republic sets all-time tourist arrival record: here’s where travelers are headed

The Dominican Republic’s tourism industry is off to an incredible start this year. The country is smashing tourist numbers month over month, proving more visitors than ever are choosing the Dominican Republic as a vacation destination. With a beautiful and diverse landscape, an endless choice of activities, and welcoming people, it is easy to see why so many tourists visit each year.

Breaking Records By Air And By Sea

Last month alone, combined visitor arrivals by air and sea were just shy of 1 million. 661,088 tourists arrived by air during February, a 17% increase from 2022 and a 9% increase from pre-pandemic 2019. Even more extraordinary is the growth in cruise passenger arrivals.

This February, over 250,000 visitors arrived by cruise ship, representing more than double the number of cruise arrivals from 2019 and triple that of the same period last year.

Add to these impressive numbers the fact that this past January also saw record tourist arrivals. That all means that in the first two months of 2023, over 1.8 million tourists visited the Dominican Republic. With no signs of slowing, it seems the nation is well on its way to its ambitious goal of reaching 10 million visitors by the end of the year.

Why Tourists Love The Dominican Republic

The majority of the Dominican Republic’s visitors hail from the United States, Canada, and Colombia. They come seeking something special that can only be found here. A unique mix of culture, natural beauty, and relaxation that is easily accessible. The Dominican Republic has all that and more.

With over 100 all-inclusive resorts, relaxing and enjoying the pristine beaches is easy. In fact, many of the top resorts in the Caribbean are in the Dominican Republic. The diversity of the nation’s vast natural environment means that visitors can enjoy mountains, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, as well as the pristine beaches and offshore islands the country is famous for.

Additionally, visitors love to experience the Dominican culture – one that is welcoming and rich in music, food, and traditions.

Where Are All These Visitors Headed?

The majority of visitors head straight to La Altagracia Province – home to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s golden child for tourism, and many of the top resorts. This beautiful region is where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean and where incredible beaches are just waiting to be enjoyed.

67% of foreigners stayed in the resort towns of Punta Cana, Bávaro, and Bayahibe. But, as regular Travel Off Path readers will know, there is more to the Dominican Republic than just Punta Cana.

The second most touristed destination is the capital region – Santo Domingo and the surrounding area. Santo Domingo is a vibrant city and UNESCO World Heritage site, as it was the first permanent establishment of the “New World”, and is home to some of the oldest institutions in the Americas.

Visitors love Santo Domingo for its diversity of offerings – you can see Colonial architecture, visit Boca Chica’s tropical beaches, explore sunken cenotes in the middle of the city, and enjoy funky clubs with delicious food. 8% of foreigners stayed in Santo Domingo Province.

8% of international visitors also stayed in Puerto Plata Province. Puerto Plata was the original tourist hotspot in the Dominican Republic and is still loved for its breathtaking landscape that includes the coast, mountains, rivers, and of course – beautiful beaches.

The area’s most popular attraction is the 27 Charcos of Damajagua, a complex of 27 waterfalls along the Damajagua river that can be explored on foot with a local guide.

The remaining destinations that have been pulling in international tourists are La Romana, where the renowned Casa de Campo resort is located (4%), Samaná, the northeastern coastal region where visitors enjoy wild beaches and rainforests welcomed 3% of visitors, and finally, 2% of tourists headed for the cosmopolitan city of Santiago de los Caballeros which is full of fascinating museums and cultural sites, and home to some of the best food and nightlife in the Dominican Republic.

Collado affirms “good progress” in beach renourishment in the country

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, said that the renovation works in beach areas are going well and constitute the legacy he wants to leave to improve their conditions.

He detailed that Macao, Los Patos, and Quemaíto have already been delivered, and he will deliver with President Luis Abinader the refurbished beaches of Guayacanes I and 2, which are 35 minutes away from the Capital so that they can be equal to those of Casa de Campo and Punta Cana.

He recalled that street vendors had been given loans and courses at Infotep, had become small entrepreneurs, and today have beautiful restaurants. The streets have also been paved, and sidewalks have been built. The work has been extended to Sosúa with an investment of RD$600 million; work is being done in Las Galeras, Samaná, and Palenque, San Cristóbal.

He indicated that the Malecon of Santo Domingo was recovered while he was Mayor, and in 60 days, the first stage of the Malecon of Santo Domingo East will be delivered; work is being done in those of La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Samaná and the one of Pedernales is about to start.

In addition, he mentioned the infrastructures that have begun and Verón will be asphalted, work is being done in the Gri-Gri Lagoon, in the Colonial Zone, and the Mitur took RD$460 million to rescue the monuments and iconic buildings such as the Alcazar de Colón.

Environment: sargassum is a “catastrophe” for the economy and tourism in the Dominican Republic

The main economic, tourist, and environmental threat for the greater Caribbean and Mexico, but specifically for the Dominican Republic, are thousands of tons of sargassum that invade its waters, beaches, and coasts, considered an epidemic that has escaped human control. The alert is from the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources through the Vice Ministry of Coastal and Marine Resources, after noting that said algae already impact different regions of the country such as the East, North, and South. José Ramón Reyes, Vice Minister of Coastal and Marine Resources, defines the presence of sargassum in the island’s waters as a true catastrophe for the economy, especially for a nation whose main activity that generates resources is tourism.

“In 2018, he points out, it was considered the record year for the presence of sargassum in the Caribbean and the Coast of Mexico, but in 2020, there was also a considerable increase in the algae with some 60,000 metric tons,” he said. He explained that “by 2022, the presence of the algae in the region was estimated to be 64,000 tons, while it is estimated that in one month of 2023, 15,000 metric tons of sargassum entered the waters of the Caribbean, which foresees a catastrophic situation, not only for the region but in a timely manner, for the DR this year.

He argued that sargassum is already one of humanity’s biggest environmental problems, which is why it has been classified as an epidemic that has escaped the control of human beings. He warns that also the beaches of Florida, so valuable for tourism, have been totally impacted.

Take a trip in whale season to Samaná

Among the treasures of the coastal province of Samaná is that its waters are the refuge for humpback whales to mate and reproduce every year. The humpback whale watching season has already begun in the Banco de la Plata and La Navidad Marine Mammal Sanctuary (Samaná), where up to 2,000 whales travel thousands of kilometers to get away from the icy waters during the winter season and reach the ocean Atlantic. According to reports, the whales migrate from the North Atlantic, Greenland, the United States, Canada, Iceland, and the Stellwagen Sister Sanctuary in Massachusetts (USA) to mate in the warm Caribbean waters.

This tourist attraction motivates tourists to visit the north coast every year from January 15 to March 31. The “dances and jumps” of the cetaceans are the reason for impressive photographs and videos. The Minister of the Environment, Miguel Ceara Hatton, recently stated that this cetacean observation season, which they have called “Dance that brings life”, “marks a milestone at the beginning of the year because it is an opportunity not only to observe one of the largest marine mammals in the world but also because of the boost it generates to ecotourism, the country’s greatest economic potential.” Hatton urged the population to visit the sanctuary and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the species to guarantee ecosystem services of vital importance for life and the planet.

As every year, this observation season must be carried out under strict compliance with the rules established in the Law on the Environment and Natural Resources, which requires keeping a prudent distance from the animals, avoiding noise, and that the vessels abide by the provisions of the Dominican Navy regarding the capacity of people who will be able to travel in the sighting ships. For people who prefer to see humpback whales from land, either due to an advanced state of pregnancy or another reason for not entering the water, they can do so from the Terrestrial Whale Observatory, which has been operating since 2011 under the management of Jaime David Fernández, former Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.