More than 20 boats register for Blue Marlin fishing from the Santo Domingo Nautical Club

More than 20 boats have officially registered to participate in the thirty-second edition of the International Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, organized by the Santo Domingo Nautical Club and overseen by Alfonso Khouri. The tournament’s official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday night, with fishing excursions commencing early on Thursday. Notable boats in the lineup include Delta Down, Isabella, Hook Up, Cristina, Dilu 2, Liquid, Fresh Air, and Sea Wish.

Additionally, Pícara, Doña Lucy, Lasik, Grace, Seaguapa, Mi Gorda, Lisa, Ángela, Liqueo, Coralis, Keep Fishing, Tomahawk, Mamina, Haven Can’t Wait, and Mincia will join the competition, totaling 23 boats vying for victory until Saturday the 30th in Cabeza de Toro Cove, Higüey.

The tournament will adhere to the All Release format, following the rules of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), with exceptions where the event’s specific regulations apply. Each released blue marlin will earn 300 points, while other billfish species will receive 150 points, as explained by the tournament director.

Fishermen from Puerto Rico, the United States, Venezuela, and local yacht clubs will participate in the competition alongside the host club.

Key details of the tournament include the use of non-metallic line up to 30 pounds of resistance, the option for boats to depart and return to Cap Cana or Cabeza de Toro, and a two-hour limit for battling marlins. The tournament features a rotating trophy in the Club Boat category and recognizes the angler with the highest score in Category A. The event encompasses both team and individual competitions, with teams composed of three fishermen, one of whom must fish from a different boat. The angler achieving the highest score will be declared the tournament’s winner.

In addition to individual awards, there will be the “Interclub Reciprocity Cup” contested by members of the San Juan Nautical Club in Puerto Rico and the Santo Domingo Nautical Club. Participation in this cup is limited to active members of both clubs.

Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world to call at Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- Royal Caribbean International’s new cruise ship Icon of the Seas, ranked as the largest in the world, will include Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic as part of its destinations for the premiere of its 2025-2026 season.

The Bride of the Atlantic will be included in the 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami.

Tourists will be able to experience scenic locations booked from.
New destinations: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie and St. Thomas.

In addition to two to three days at sea, each cruise includes visiting Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, which features Hideaway Beach, a new adults-only oceanfront paradise opening in January 2024.

Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas measures 365 meters long and weighs 250,800 tons. According to Resumen Turismo, it will have capacity for 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew.

Highlights of the experiences on offer include the world’s largest water park at sea, named Category 6, consisting of six water slides. Plus, there are seven swimming pools and nine onboard hot tubs.

The ship promises more than 40 ways to dine, drink, and be entertained; many included in the cruise fare. With 20 decks and eight areas to explore, the idea is to cater to all vacationers, from sites dedicated to young families to adult-only spaces.

Reef Jet Airlines to fly from Punta Cana to Santiago, Pedernales and other tourist resorts

Reef Jet Airlines seeks to contribute to the multi-destination offer as part of the State’s policy to promote a country with a wide offer.

Punta Cana, DR.- Connecting Punta Cana with Santiago, Pedernales, and Samaná is the business bet developed by the airline Reef Jet to contribute to the multi-destination offer in the country through domestic flights.

Geraint María Barrot, Director of Operations of Reef Jet, explained that after a market survey, they saw the need to create a route that connects Punta Cana with Santiago since, in this northern city, there is a class that represents the second largest issuer of local tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Next Friday, September 29, Reef Jet will inaugurate the first flight from the Punta Cana International Airport to the Cibao International Airport.
He added that in only 50 minutes, both destinations will be linked by air on commercial flights.

He emphasized that Reef Jet seeks to provide an experience more than a flight since its services are offered through tour operator agencies, which provide passengers the options of excursions ranging from visits to thermal spas, cultural routes, and gastronomic experiences, among others.

Barrot highlighted the airline’s interest in contributing to the multi-destination offer that is part of the State’s policy of promoting a country with a vast cultural, gastronomic, religious, and adventure tourism offer, among other modalities.

He indicated that Reef Jet has excursion flights to Pedernales and Samaná, where it transports a significant number of foreign tourists.

The director of operations further explained that the aircraft that will perform the service are two Cessnas with a capacity of nine passengers. The company is certified by the IDAC and has trained personnel.

Collado and Minister of Tourism of Canada strengthen ties

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic, David Collado, recently engaged in a significant meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Soraya Martínez. The purpose of their discussions was to outline concrete plans aimed at fortifying tourism relations between the Dominican Republic and Canada, ensuring an increased influx of Canadian visitors to the Caribbean island.

Collado emphasized the significance of this meeting, referring to it as “transcendent.” Canada stands as the second-largest source of tourists to the Dominican Republic. The discussions were centered on creating greater connectivity between the two countries, with the goal of substantially boosting the number of Canadians visiting the Dominican Republic and inching closer to the ambitious target of 10 million tourists by year’s end.

The meeting between the Tourism Ministers delved into bilateral issues designed to strengthen relations and promote tourism between both nations. Minister Collado’s agenda in Toronto also encompassed meetings with key entities like the Sunwing Travel Group and Air Canada Vacations, as well as other travel agents and tour operators.

This meeting took place within the context of Minister Collado’s 4-day visit to Canada, which featured his customary Road Shows in Toronto and Montreal. These events drew the participation of more than 200 tour operators, travel agents, and airline executives, highlighting the commitment of both countries to fostering robust tourism ties.

The entanglement of the Dominican tourism sector with Airbnb

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican tourism sector, encompassing both public and private entities, finds itself grappling with the formidable competitor that is Airbnb. This challenge has been causing significant concerns for some time, leaving the Ministry of Tourism, tourist associations, and industry groups in a complex dilemma.

Mitigating the dominance of the rental giant Airbnb is a daunting task, and it appears that only a court ruling, akin to the one in New York favoring the City Council, might offer a solution to this intricate problem where various institutions and certain tourist groups play active roles.

The situation presents a paradox as some of the tourism groups advocating against Airbnb are simultaneously selling plane tickets to travelers through the Airbnb platform. This juxtaposition seems surreal: these groups are promoting travel and facilitating transportation for tourists who opt not to stay in their own hotels, whether these tourists hail from the United States, Canada, Spain, or other regions.

Adding to the surreal nature of the matter is the fact that institutions claiming to combat Airbnb’s privilege are providing financial subsidies to airlines that bring unregulated tourists to the Dominican Republic, irrespective of whether they booked through Airbnb or similar platforms. Resolving this considerable contradiction will require finding a viable solution.

Airbnb tourists and others like them are undeniably valuable to the country, even if their spending power is comparatively modest. The Ministry and hoteliers do not reject them; rather, they seek a level playing field where everyone adheres to the same rules and tax obligations. In essence, regularization is the key to fostering fair competition within the industry.

Banreservas opens its first representative office in the US in New York

New York.- Banco de Reservas of the Dominican Republic inaugurated its inaugural representative office in the United States on Wednesday evening. This significant event featured the participation of President Luis Abinader, who was in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the Dominican Republic.

The establishment of this second foreign branch of the Dominican bank follows the approval by the United States Federal Reserve in June to set up two representative offices, one in New York City and the other in Miami, Florida.

“This is a historic day for our bank, #ElBancodeTODOSlosDominicanos, as we officially open the doors of our first Banco de Reservas Representative Office in the United States, located in the city of #NewYork,” proudly announced Banco de Reservas on their Twitter account.

The New York office will be situated within the Radio Hotel, strategically positioned in the heart of the vibrant Little Dominican Republic in Upper Manhattan.

These representative offices of the state-owned bank aim to streamline banking services for the Dominican diaspora, which comprises nearly three million individuals.

On January 17, Madrid became the first foreign city to host a representative office of the state-owned Reserve Bank (Banreservas). With the addition of these two new offices in Miami and New York, Banreservas proudly becomes “the first Dominican bank with a presence in these significant U.S. cities,” emphasized Samuel Pereyra, the bank’s administrator.

Regarding the capabilities of these representative offices, Banco de Reservas has clarified that all of the bank’s services will be available, but financial transactions will be processed in the Dominican Republic. In practical terms, while Banreservas cannot conduct financial intermediary operations abroad, such as receiving deposits, it can facilitate the necessary procedures to its offices in the Dominican Republic.

This means that Dominicans residing abroad will initially have access to services like mortgage loan applications, remittance accounts, financial instruments, and insurance management. These services will enable them to conduct banking affairs without the need to travel to the Dominican Republic.

Banreservas disclosed that it initiated the process of establishing its foreign representative offices after obtaining approval from the Superintendency of Banks and the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic in January 2022.

UNWTO: Tourism on track for full recovery

New York.- International tourism has continued to recover from the worst crisis in its history as arrival numbers reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023, according to the latest data from UNWTO. The Middle East, Europe and Africa lead the global sector’s rebound.

Tourism demand continues to show remarkable resilience and sustained recovery, even in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges. The new issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer tracks the sector’s recovery over the course of 2023 up to the end of July.

The UNWTO Barometer shows that by the end of July, international tourist arrivals reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels; 700 million tourists traveled internationally between January and July 2023, 43% more than in the same months of 2022; and July was the busiest month with 145 million international travelers recorded, about 20% of the seven-month total.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO data once again shows how tourism is recovering strongly in every part of the world. But as our sector recovers, it also needs to adapt. The extreme weather events we have witnessed over recent months as well as the critical challenges of managing increasing tourism flows underline the need to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient sector and ensure recovery goes hand-in-hand with rethinking of our sector.”

Results by region

The Middle East reported the best results in January-July 2023, with arrivals 20% above pre-pandemic levels. The region continues to be the only to exceed 2019 levels so far.

Europe, the world’s largest destination region, reached 91% of pre-pandemic levels, supported by robust intra-regional demand and travel from the United States.

Africa recovered 92% of pre-crisis visitors this seven-month period and the Americas 87%, according to available data.

In Asia and the Pacific, recovery accelerated to 61% of pre-pandemic arrival levels after the opening of many destinations and source markets at the end of 2022 and earlier this year.

The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer contains results by region, sub-region and country, including best-performing destinations in terms of international arrivals and  receipts over the first seven months of the year.

Year-to-date change by region

These results show international tourism remains well on track to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Prospects for September-December 2023 point to continued recovery, according to the latest UNWTO Confidence Index, though at a more moderate pace following the peak travel season of June-August. These results will be driven by the still pent-up demand and increased air connectivity particularly in Asia and the Pacific where recovery is still subdued.

The reopening of China and other Asian markets and destinations is expected to continue boosting travel both within the region and to other parts of the world.

The challenging economic environment continues to be a critical factor in the effective recovery of international tourism in 2023, according to UNWTO’s Panel of Experts.

Persisting inflation and rising oil prices have translated into higher transport and accommodations costs. This could weigh on spending patterns over the remainder of the year, with tourists increasingly seeking value for money, traveling closer to home and making shorter trips.

UNDP: Dominican Republic advances 60% of Agenda 2030, but needs acceleration

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has published research on the progress made by countries toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with seven years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda. According to the study, the Dominican Republic has reported a 62% advance in achieving the SDGs and has even recovered its pre-pandemic growth trend.

The report notes that the Dominican Republic’s economy is on a path of recovery in 2023 and is projected to accelerate in 2024-2025. This growth rate is 60% higher, on average, than the global figure and aligns with the country’s pre-pandemic growth trajectory. UNDP predicts that this economic expansion will have a moderate positive impact on poverty reduction, with general monetary poverty decreasing to 27.7% in 2022, and extreme monetary poverty at 3.8%.

The study also indicates that, under the current trend, the country could achieve the goal of “zero poverty” by 2050. However, by incorporating SDG accelerators in development interventions, the number of people living in poverty could be reduced 10 years earlier.

To accelerate the execution of the 2030 Agenda, UNDP recommends a series of actions, acknowledging that the country’s credit rating in the “speculative non-investment grade” category could slow down the growth achieved. It suggests exploring innovative financing alternatives and mechanisms to better redistribute resources and reduce negative impacts on the poorest households.

The UNDP lists possible investment options, including climate financing, mixed and public-private financing, enhancing the business environment and investment aligned with the SDGs, access to financial markets and insurance, remittances, and philanthropy.

While highlighting progress in the Dominican Republic, such as the promulgation of the Territorial Planning Law, the Ten-Year Health Plan, and inclusive industrialization, the report also notes ongoing challenges related to inequality, informality, and the professionalization of the workforce.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives of people worldwide. They encompass various objectives, including ending poverty, ensuring clean water and sanitation, addressing climate action, and promoting peace and justice.

United States Secretary of State affirms the Dominican Republic is improving its levels of transparency and fight against corruption

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s dedicated efforts to enhance transparency and combat corruption, ultimately bolstering the credibility of its institutions among the general population.

During the “Democracy Delivers” event, Blinken highlighted the investments made through USAID, which have contributed to more effective efforts against common challenges such as corruption in the past year. He emphasized that greater transparency leads to increased citizen confidence in their government.

Blinken stated, “We are seeking new ways to deliver progress to our people in areas that truly matter and positively impact their lives. We are working to strengthen public institutions and respond more effectively to citizens’ needs.”

The “Democracy Delivers” initiative represents a collaborative effort among various countries to continue strengthening democracy and promoting development and well-being for their populations. Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, and Tanzania are participating in this initiative.

President Abinader also addressed the event, reiterating the importance of actively and persistently combating corruption and impunity, strengthening institutions, and enhancing the quality of public spending to deliver better services to the population. He emphasized that true democracy and development are achieved through these measures.

The event took place at the Ford Foundation headquarters as part of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. It underscores the commitment of both the Dominican Republic and the United States to promote transparency, strengthen institutions, and advance democracy.

Polish investors will build Cofresi Hills hotel in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- The Polish company Factory Centrum SP, the primary investor and manager, has reported rapid progress in the construction of the “Cofresi Hills Residence” hotel project, a luxury and premium-level hotel complex in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Ricardo Moran, the director of Cofresi Hills Residence, highlighted the reasons behind the decision of Polish investors to build hotels in the Dominican Republic. He mentioned that the government’s incentives aimed at encouraging foreign investment and driving economic growth played a significant role in their decision-making process.

Moran emphasized Puerto Plata’s appeal as an emerging market, citing various factors that make the region attractive. He noted, “The prosperous economy of the DR, and that the attractiveness of Puerto Plata is not limited only to tourists; its allure extends to apartment buyers, creating a competitive advantage that Cofresi Hills Residence is poised to capitalize on.”

In addition, he pointed out that the growth in the tourism sector, driven by Puerto Plata’s increasing appeal as a tourist destination, was a key factor influencing their decision to build Cofresi Hills Residence. The property currently features 14 premium apartments serving as models to showcase the project’s concept.

The construction of the project will take place in three phases, with a total of 100 apartments offering various accommodation options to cater to guests’ preferences. The first phase is already under construction, with the second phase set to begin in 2024 and the third phase in 2025. The new buildings are designed to meet luxury standards.

Cofresi Hills Residence aims to provide a haven of tranquility and calm, offering accommodation tailored to guests’ preferences with meticulous attention to detail. It is strategically located in Puerto Plata, adjacent to the Ocean World Adventure Park and Marina, making it an ideal destination for vacation rentals.

The project reflects a commitment to growth and luxury in the region, positioning Cofresi Hills Residence as a premier vacation rental property in Puerto Plata.

Arajet transports more than 350 thousand passengers in its first year of operations

Arajet, the airline known for connecting the Dominican Republic to North, Central, and South America with its fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, celebrated its first anniversary of operations. During this inaugural year, Arajet transported over 350,000 passengers.

Victor Pacheco Méndez, CEO & Founder of Arajet, expressed gratitude to the passengers who put their trust in the airline, as well as the over half a million people who have purchased air tickets with Arajet. He emphasized that Arajet’s mission is to democratize air travel, making it accessible at the lowest possible prices.

In just one year, Arajet has expanded its services to encompass 22 destinations across 15 countries, effectively establishing Santo Domingo as a new hub in the Caribbean connecting to the continent.

Pacheco Méndez highlighted the airline’s positive impact on the job market, with more than 350 direct employees and over 1,000 indirect employees. Arajet has also invested in training programs for Dominican pilots and cabin crew, nurturing specialized talent in the aviation sector.

The CEO acknowledged the crucial support from investors like Bain Capital and Griffin Capital Management, as well as their partnership with Boeing Company, which has played a pivotal role in the airline’s success and the revival of Dominican aviation.

Pacheco Méndez also praised the legal support provided by the Dominican government, led by President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado. He shared their ambitious goal of becoming the Dominican airline that transports 5% to 10% of the tourists coming to the country by 2024.

The contributions of various aviation authorities and government agencies were recognized, underscoring their collective efforts to make affordable air travel accessible to Dominicans. Álvaro de Oleo, Senior Marketing and Electronic Commerce Consultant at Arajet, noted that the airline has positively impacted the tourism sector, with the immigration department projecting that one million Dominicans will have flown for the first time by the end of 2023. Arajet’s mission to make flying accessible to everyone aligns with this goal, ensuring that countless Dominicans have the opportunity to experience air travel.

Abinader will sign an agreement to protect the oceans promoted by the UN

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader is set to sign the Agreement on the Biodiversity of Areas Outside National Jurisdiction, an initiative promoted by the United Nations (UN). This agreement aims to promote equity in the benefits derived from marine genetic resources, establish sustainable management mechanisms, and improve the management of coastal waters with the potential for pollution from marine sources.

The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon, with President Abinader being accompanied by Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN), Miguel Ceara Hatton.

Minister Ceara Hatton emphasized the significance of the Dominican Republic’s commitment to the UN and the international community in protecting ocean resources beyond national borders. He also highlighted the global challenges facing oceans, such as the issue of sargassum, which is linked to excess nutrients in the seas.

In addition to Minister Ceara Hatton, Milagros De Camps, Vice Minister of Climate Change at MMARN, is participating in the 78th period of sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, attending various bilateral commitments on the official agenda. The UN is currently debating the need for countries to find mechanisms to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases over the next three decades to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

Corales Puntacana Championship is nominated for “Best Marketing Initiative” on the PGA Tour

Punta Cana.- The Corales Puntacana Championship has received a prestigious nomination in the ‘Best Marketing Initiative’ category at the 2022-2023 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards. This recognition celebrates the innovative strategies employed by PGA TOUR tournaments and underscores their profound impact on local communities.

Manuel Sajour, the Executive Director of Marketing for Grupo Puntacana, expressed pride in the nomination, saying, “PGA TOUR Tournament Awards is an initiative that recognizes the outstanding work of the tournaments on the calendar. Being nominated as the tournament with the best marketing initiatives is a source of pride for the entire team that works tirelessly to make this country-branding event the success it has been.”

He also emphasized the significance of this achievement in the context of the post-pandemic era, stating, “We are very happy with the nomination among all the PGA TOUR events. It is not the first time we have been nominated, nor would it be the first time we win, but it is a great achievement in these post-pandemic times. Corales Puntacana Championship is a country-brand event with which the Dominican Republic puts itself before the eyes of the world with golf tourism.”

In addition to the Corales Puntacana Championship, other noteworthy nominees in the ‘Best Marketing Initiative’ category include the Barracuda Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard, Wells Fargo Championship, RBC Canadian Open, and Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Recently, the PGA TOUR and Puntacana Resort & Club unveiled the dates for the upcoming Corales Puntacana Championship, scheduled to take place from April 15 to April 21, 2024, at the Corales Golf Course. This marks the third edition of a contract renewal extending through 2025.

The Corales Puntacana Championship, offering 300 FedExCup points, will continue its tradition of live broadcast coverage on Golf Channel. The tournament boasts a remarkable reach of 4.8 billion impressions in digital and print media, both nationally and internationally across 153 countries, with a viewership of 3.4 million in the United States.

Reflecting on past champions, Matt Wallace claimed victory in the 2023 tournament, while Joel Dahmen secured his first PGA TOUR victory at the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship. Other notable champions in the tournament’s history include Hudson Swafford (2020), Graeme McDowell (2019), and Brice Garnett (2018).

Before its inclusion in the PGA TOUR, the tournament had a two-year stint on the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, with Dominic Bozzelli emerging victorious in 2016 and Nate Lashley in 2017.

The PGA Tour, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, stands as the premier North American men’s professional golf tour, featuring over 175 tournaments across six international tours. PGA Tour members represent top-tier players from 29 countries and territories outside the United States, totaling 96 international members.

Abinader left for New York to discuss the Haiti crisis at the UN General Assembly

President Luis Abinader has traveled to New Jersey, from where he will depart for New York to participate in the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). During this assembly, he will deliver a speech addressing the crisis in Haiti. Abinader emphasized the importance of raising awareness in the international community about the situation in Haiti and noted that the definitive solution lies in the hands of the international community.

The Dominican president is scheduled to return to the country on Friday after fulfilling various commitments, including bilateral meetings with other leaders and engagements with international, financial, and diplomatic organizations.

In his speech, Abinader reiterated that there is no Dominican solution to the Haitian problem and emphasized that the closure of the border with Haiti was ordered due to a dispute over the construction of an irrigation canal on the Masacre River by Haitians. He reassured that the current situation on the border is under control and does not pose a threat to the daily activities of the Dominican population.

Abinader traveled on a private flight, accompanied by his assistants and the head of the Presidential Security Corps (CUSEP).

Experts from the tourism and real estate sector discuss new challenges and opportunities

Punta Cana.- The main issues currently concerning the tourism industry, with a focus on the comparison between the traditional hotel model and the emerging vacation rental industry through digital platforms, were examined in this town by a group of local and international experts.

The professional group gathered at the First “Tourism and Real Estate GC Roundtable” in the Dominican Republic, comprised legal directors of the most important brands in the sector, executive directors of relevant associations, and UNWTO consultants.

The event, held by Quiroz Advisors-QA Legal, a prominent law firm specializing in the country’s tourism and real estate sector, in association with The Legal 500, a renowned London publisher in the international legal industry, conducts these roundtable discussions in multiple countries.

Topics addressed included the evolution of the hotel and vacation rental industry, its challenges and opportunities, the legal and regulatory framework for hotels and vacation rentals, competition and challenges. Expectations and concerns regarding the Draft Regulation of the Territorial Planning Law, currently in the drafting phase, were also discussed.

Additionally, they explored subjects related to special tax regimes, consumer protection and security, data protection, cybersecurity, the impact of technology and innovation, sustainability aspects, solid waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, and the sargassum phenomenon as a significant challenge for tourism.

The roundtable discussion was moderated by José A. Quiroz, managing partner of QA Legal, and included the participation of legal directors from companies such as Grupo Punta Cana, Central Romana (Casa de Campo), Cap Cana, Grupo Piñero, Meliá Hotels International, Coral Hospitality Corporation, Hard Rock Hotels & Casino, Hotel Embajador – Royal Hideaway, Iberostar Group, and Playa Grande.

The event had the special participation of Dr. Julio Facal, consultant to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and International Tourism Of Counsel for QA Legal, as well as the executive and legal directors of the most relevant associations in these sectors, including Andrés Marranzini and Alba Russo, executive vice president and Legal Director, respectively, of ASONAHORES.

Similarly, Jorge Subero, president of the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI); Sarah Peña David, executive director of the Dominican Restaurant Association (ADERES), and Annerys Meléndez, president of the Association of Housing Builders and Developers (ACOPROVI) participated.

“This event undoubtedly marks a milestone for the tourism and real estate sector of the Dominican Republic,” Quiroz stressed. The expert emphasized the need to reach consensus and join forces to promote the necessary actions, accompany the competent authorities, unions, and business community in matters of regulation, and generate proposals for solutions to the current challenges of the tourism and real estate industry. This seeks to preserve and sustainably grow this crucial sector of the country’s economy, which is Dominican Tourism.

Dominican Republic: the first Caribbean country to be a partner of the US Global Entry program

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has entered into a partnership with the United States Global Entry program, making it the 16th country worldwide, the 6th in Latin America, and the first in the Caribbean to be a part of this initiative. This achievement reflects the close relationship between the two nations, according to Jonathan Mardo, the attaché of the Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) at the United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

Starting from August 14, 2023, Dominican citizens with US visas can apply online for entry into the Global Entry program. Applicants will need to complete an online application through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) System and, if approved following background checks and an in-person interview, they can obtain Global Entry privileges in about three to six months.

Global Entry offers accepted travelers the convenience of saving time and bypassing immigration lines at over 75 airports in the United States by using automated kiosks. Additionally, it provides access to the TSA PreCheck®️ program, which streamlines security procedures at US airports, including not having to remove shoes, jackets, belts, or laptops from carry-on luggage.

Applicants need to meet specific requirements, including providing their residential and employment history for the past five years and valid ID, passport, driver’s license, and visa numbers with a validity period of at least five years. The program comes at a cost of US$100 for a five-year membership.

Abinader to address Haiti impasse at UN assembly

The disagreement with Haiti over the construction of a canal on the Masacre River, which has led to the indefinite closure of the border, will be presented by President Luis Abinader at the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), to be held between September 19 and 23 in New York, United States.

In each trip to the UN, as in other conventions, the president has requested the intervention of an international force to control the violence implemented by criminal gangs in the neighboring nation, a problem that threatens the Dominican Republic, according to the government.

However, given the current situation, the president will make a turn in his speech and expose the impasse with the canal on the Masacre River. The private sector allegedly finances the work. The Dominican government has already identified and banned the entry of nine people for the project. In Cuba, in his speech at the G77+China assembly, Abinader called the group “anarchists” who are trying to provoke chaos.

The president’s agenda for this Saturday was focused on the provinces of Santiago and Duarte with two proselytizing activities, but they were suspended due to the border situation.

Air Catering reaffirms service commitment on flights from Puerto Plata and Samaná

With a second flight kitchen, operating at the Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata, which supplies and dispatches food on board for the various airlines arriving at the destinations, as well as at the El Catey-Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport in Samaná, the air catering company JJ Roca reaffirmed its commitment to the tourism and economic sector of the country.

“Since 1995, we have been contributing directly to the city of Puerto Plata and the local producers, from where we supply ourselves with all the vegetables, dairy products, sausages, and others, ” explained José Dorville, JJ Roca Catering operations manager.

“In both destinations the company generates for the northern region of the country more than 24 direct jobs and 83 indirect jobs, being a source of foreign exchange for the economy of this area,” he added, according to a press release.

The development of the production of flight kitchens and the in-flight food prepared by the corporation’s culinary professionals has been an essential contribution to the tourism sector, making the Dominican flavor known in the dishes served to tourists who visit us on commercial flights arriving through these airports, as well as contributing to the generation of jobs, foreign exchange and support for local production.

Dorville pointed out that “Puerto Plata is a strong destination, we believe in it and we bet on it, we are willing to continue working for it, we live here, and we will keep doing everything possible to preserve this destination and continue receiving tourists through the various airlines that visit us, providing the best food on board.”

Dominican government completes global international bond repurchase operation

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Government, under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, has successfully completed a comprehensive repurchase operation involving an international bond indexed to Dominican pesos maturing in 2026, with a total value of 40,792.05 million pesos.

The Ministry explained that the offers received since September 5, when the initiative was presented to investors, amounted to 59.97% of the total amount in circulation for this particular instrument.

For the repurchase, the government issued bonds maturing in 2035, valued at 71,000 million pesos (equivalent to 1,252.18 million dollars) with a coupon rate of 11.25%. Remarkably, offers were received for 154,767 million pesos, which represents an impressive 2.2 times the demand for the subscribed amount.

Minister of Finance, Jochi Vicente, expressed his satisfaction with the success of this operation, highlighting that it underscores the trust investors have in the government’s proactive debt management and its commitment to ensuring risk indicators remain sustainable.

Vicente remarked, “When we go out to the capital markets, both domestically and internationally, we see the appetite of investors for our bonds, and that is a sign that we are managing public finances correctly because no one puts their money where they have no guarantees.”

The transaction was strategically conducted to take advantage of favorable market conditions. It facilitated the repurchase of the 2026 bond while allocating the rest of the resources to meet the financing needs outlined in the General State Budget for 2023.

The issuance of bonds in pesos serves to reduce the proportion of foreign currency in the debt portfolio of the non-financial public sector, decreasing it from 71.8% in January 2023 to 68.7%. This move helps mitigate exchange rate risk on fiscal accounts and simultaneously increases the average maturity period by 0.23 years, improving the Dominican State’s refinancing risk.

Furthermore, this successful operation reflects investors’ confidence in the Dominican currency and enhances its presence in the international market. Vice Minister of Public Credit, María José Martínez, emphasized that these results align with the government’s commitment to executing the medium-term debt strategy, aimed at reducing both refinancing and exchange risk, ultimately working towards achieving an Investment Grade status.

Punta Cana International Airport receives an award for the seventh consecutive year

Punta Cana.- The Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has been awarded the “Best Airport by Size and Region” in the category of 5 to 15 million passengers per year in the Caribbean and Latin America at the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards ceremony by the Airports Council International (ACI). This marks the seventh consecutive year that the airport has received this prestigious recognition.

In addition to this award, the Punta Cana International Airport also received the new Customer Experience accreditation, which guides airports toward excellence in customer experience management across various domains.

The airport’s director of Landside Operations, Alberto Smith, accepted the award on behalf of the airport during a ceremony held in the Republic of Korea. He expressed gratitude to the more than 8,000 people working at the airport for their dedication and commitment to achieving this recognition.

The Punta Cana International Airport continuously evaluates passenger satisfaction metrics to implement improvements and create the best possible travel experience for passengers. This commitment to excellence has established the airport as one of the top 10 airports in Latin America and the most important in the insular Caribbean.

The airport recently expanded Terminal B, initially catering to airlines from North America with plans to extend connectivity routes to Latin America and Europe. It serves as a vital hub connecting 64 cities in 26 countries and transports eight million passengers annually.

The Airport Service Quality Awards program, organized by ACI, assesses passenger satisfaction and recognizes airports worldwide that offer outstanding customer experiences. The Punta Cana International Airport’s consistent excellence in this area highlights its importance in the Dominican Republic’s growing tourism industry.