Samaná unveils guide highlighting sustainable tourism efforts

Samaná, DR.- The Samaná Sustainable Tourism Circuit has launched its first informative guide, a promotional tool showcasing the province’s natural riches and solidifying its status as one of five Latin American destinations in the Future Destinations Network.

Available in physical and digital formats, with English and Spanish versions, the guide emphasizes the Circuit’s commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental protection. It delves into the region’s biodiversity, warm hospitality, and delectable cuisine.

This comprehensive resource serves as a one-stop shop for visitors, featuring the destination’s top attractions, cultural events, and over 30 unique experiences. Additionally, a directory connects tourists with businesses participating in the Circuit.

The guide also celebrates female empowerment, featuring inspiring stories of four women who are making strides in training and entrepreneurship within the region.

“This guide exemplifies the power of collaboration in tourism destinations,” said Lissette Gil, a sustainability specialist involved in the Circuit’s creation. “Established and emerging businesses can work together to shape and promote the region effectively.”

She further emphasized, “This collaborative effort, built on a foundation of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, creates a well-rounded destination experience that honors the area’s natural and cultural heritage.”

Milka Hernández, general manager of Grupo Sarma, a tourism marketing company that also produced a promotional video for the Circuit, led the guide’s presentation.

Hernández stressed the importance of the guide in boosting tourism and commerce in the province, highlighting the commitment from both public and private entities to promote it. “This guide not only informs visitors about the breathtaking beauty of this destination, with its diverse landscapes – beaches, rivers, waterfalls, caves, mountains, and farmlands – but also underscores our responsibility to preserve these treasures and share them with the world,” she concluded.

Punta Cana Grand Prix to be held on June 7

Punta Cana.- The fourth edition of the Punta Cana Grand Prix cycling event is set to take place on June 7, 8, and 9, featuring competitors from over 15 countries across the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

Over 350 cyclists will compete in the tournament, which includes 8 categories.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Municipal League, the Presidency of the Republic, and the Punta Cana Group, the main venue for the event is the front of Blue Mall. From there, the various stages will start, covering parts of the Coral Highway to Higüey and the Downtown Punta Cana District.

Mario de Jesús, the main organizer, announced that $10,000 in prizes will be distributed among the winners of the 8 categories, which include two women’s categories. The other categories are elite, pre-master, master A, master B, master C, recreational, and youth.

On Thursday, June 6, starting at 2:00 PM in the gastronomic area of Blue Mall, participants will receive their kits. A technical conference discussing the event’s rules will be held at 6:00 PM.

The competitions kick off on Friday, June 7, at 7:00 AM with the first stage for the recreational and women’s categories A and B, covering a distance of 54 kilometers. This will be followed by the master A and B categories, with a 76.5-kilometer route between Punta Cana and Higüey. The elite, sub-23, and youth categories will conclude the first day’s races with an 84.1-kilometer route from Punta Cana to the roundabout near Higüey.

On Saturday, June 8, the events start at 7:00 AM from Blue Mall, with a route to Toll #2 and back to the roundabout twice, finishing in front of Blue Mall.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 9, at 1:00 PM. Cash prizes will be given to the individual champions, stage champions, flying goal champions, best Dominican champions, and best team champions. Trophies will also be awarded to the top performers in each category. The event will be broadcast on the Punta Cana Grand Prix YouTube channel.

Puerto Plata hosts international disaster preparedness seminar

Puerto Plata, DR.- AERODOM, VINCI Airports, and the North Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Tourism Companies (ASHONORTTE) understand the critical role that ports and airports play in disaster response. That’s why they joined forces to host the second annual “Disaster Preparedness in Strategic Ports and Airports” seminar in Puerto Plata.

This two-day event brought together over 20 local and international experts to share valuable recommendations for ports and airports to effectively respond to disasters.

The seminar is part of the ongoing Disaster Preparedness and Resilience of Ports and Communities (C-PReP) Program, supported by FedEx and with collaboration from the Southeast Airport Group (ASUR) and CIFAL Mérida. The regional focus on Puerto Plata, a key hub for passenger, cargo, and tourism movement, reflects the seminar’s aim to strengthen disaster preparedness across the region.

“Airports and ports are vital centers for the immediate delivery of aid and evacuation of affected people. In the event of a natural disaster, passenger volumes increase as relatives travel to the area to help their families, the international community sends specialists and relief supplies, and the media arrives to cover the response. If this situation is not handled properly, it can cause bottlenecks in aid delivery and halt relief distribution, which consequently puts citizens and tourists at risk,” expressed Carlos Rodolí, president of Ashonorte and director of North Cluster Airports for AERODOM.

Held at the Marien Puerto Plata Hotel in the Costa Dorada complex, the seminar aimed to get everyone on the same page for emergency response. Airport and seaport operators, civil aviation authorities, civil defense agencies and tourism representatives all came together to share ideas and best practices. Participants weren’t just listening to talks; they also tackled real-world scenarios with tabletop exercises, focusing on hurricanes, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

Over 120 in-person attendees received a certificate from the International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) of the United Nations Institute for Vocational Training and Research (UNITAR). The speakers weren’t just academics; they shared practical presentations and real-life experiences to prepare participants for the unique logistical challenges of natural disasters.

The seminar wasn’t limited to those in Puerto Plata. It was also broadcast virtually, with over 100 participants from across Latin America and the Caribbean joining in. They learned valuable insights on strengthening logistical capacities to prevent bottlenecks and ensure relief supplies are handled quickly and efficiently after a disaster strikes.

Organic Law of the Reserve Bank now in force

Santo Domingo.- The new Law 13-24 governing the Reserve Bank of the Dominican Republic has come into effect following its promulgation by President Luis Abinader and publication in the Official Gazette.

Key updates in the legislation include adapting the bank’s name to Banco de Reservas de la República Dominicana – Banco Múltiple and ensuring the institution operates in alignment with the dynamic and competitive financial sector. The bank’s capital is set at RD$39,000 million, which can be adjusted by the board of directors as per the Monetary and Financial Law, without legislative approval, as long as the changes are from capital reserves.

The new law removes the general tax exemption previously enjoyed by the Reserve Bank, leveling the playing field with other Dominican financial institutions. It also changes the title of the head from “general administrator” to “executive president,” aligning with national and international banking norms without altering the organizational structure or roles.

“This is the first significant update to Banreservas’ regulations in 61 years, modernizing the bank to be more agile and customer-focused, enabling it to better handle digital transformation, innovation, and environmental sustainability,” said the bank’s executive president, Samuel Pereyra.

The board of directors will consist of 14 members: the Minister of Finance (who will continue to preside), the bank’s CEO, and 12 members appointed by the Executive Branch, including three recommended by the Monetary Board as independent members. The law eliminates substitute members, making previous substitutes regular members without increasing the board’s size.

Upon leaving their roles, board members, except the Minister of Finance, cannot engage in management, advisory, or legal representation activities in financial intermediation entities for one year.

The State remains the sole shareholder of Banreservas and will receive 40% of its profits, with 15% allocated for covering state debts with the bank. The remaining 60% of profits will go to the bank’s equity reserves. The law introduces new regimes to protect the bank’s integrity, streamline processes, and enhance transparency.

Additional provisions ensure the bank operates under the same rules as other multiple banks, promoting competitiveness. The Bank’s Retirement and Pension Plan and existing employee rights remain unchanged. The legislation updates the bank’s governance, structure, and operations to align with current economic conditions, inclusivity, fiduciary duties, and confidentiality requirements.

The law also strengthens transparency and accountability, and underscores Banreservas’ role in promoting the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican tourism surpasses 4 million visitors in the first four months

Santo Domingo.- Minister of Tourism David Collado announced on Monday during his regular press conference, held at a hotel in the city, that the country’s tourism industry continues its sustainable growth trajectory. In the first four months of the year, the Dominican Republic welcomed 4,178,683 visitors, projecting to exceed 11 million visitors by the year’s end.

Collado disclosed that between January and April, the country received 3,039,302 tourists by air, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023, 24% compared to 2019, and 30% compared to 2018.

Regarding cruise passengers, Collado reported a significant increase, with the country welcoming 1,139,381 visitors by sea in the first four months of the year. This represents a 15% increase compared to 2023, a remarkable 173% surge compared to 2022, and a staggering 234% rise compared to 2019.

“These arrivals mark a significant milestone, totaling 4,178,683 visitors in the first four months of this year, setting yet another record,” stated the Minister of Tourism.

The influx of 4,178,683 visitors represents a 12% growth compared to the same period in 2023, a remarkable 52% surge compared to 2022, and a 43% increase compared to 2019.

Collado further highlighted that in April alone, the country received 704,740 tourists by air, marking a 3% increase compared to the same month in 2023, a 12% rise compared to 2022, and a notable 20% growth compared to 2019.

In terms of cruise passenger arrivals in April, the figure stood at 248,459, indicating a significant 37% increase compared to April 2023, an impressive 175% surge compared to April 2022, and a remarkable 234% rise compared to April 2019.

Collado noted that the United States, Canada, and Colombia were the top three countries contributing visitors in April, with shares of 53%, 18%, and 3%, respectively.

Tourism leader urges retention of legislative framework amid boom

Santo Domingo.- David Llibre, President of the Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), highlighted the significant economic and social impacts of the tourism sector in the Dominican Republic, with over four million visitors by April. He emphasized that the benefits of tourism extend far beyond airports, hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

“These tourism results benefit thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) nationwide. The latest study on tourism’s impact on MSMEs identified 17,000 such businesses throughout the country that are directly or indirectly linked to the tourism sector,” Llibre noted.

He celebrated the arrival of tourists by air and cruise ships, stating that their presence bolsters the economy and energizes local communities involved in tourism-related activities.

Llibre pointed out that, unlike other competing countries, the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector imports a majority of the products and services consumed, impacting various economic sectors up to 40% of their production and accounting for 10% of the country’s tax revenues, totaling 155, 000 million pesos in taxes paid both directly and indirectly.

He stressed that while surpassing the goal of 10 million visitors is commendable, the Dominican Republic has the potential to continue growing and even double the number of tourist arrivals in 2023.

Llibre urged maintaining the successful policies that have driven current investment levels in the sector. He warned that any changes, reductions, or eliminations of the existing legislative framework could lead to investments shifting to competing countries. This shift would hinder the country’s ability to keep its tourism offerings competitive, impacting contributions to GDP, tax revenues, the broader economy, and job creation.

“Tourism in the Dominican Republic is a competitive sector in the international market. Unlike other sectors, it must continue developing to maintain its global competitiveness. Despite the progress, there is still significant growth potential in various tourist centers such as Pedernales, Miches, and Punta Bergantín, which require the current legislative framework for their development,” Llibre emphasized.

Sun Country adds winter flights from Milwaukee to Punta Cana

Punta Cana.- Sun Country Airlines has announced new winter season flights from Milwaukee’s Gen Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, for the 2024/2025 season.

The Punta Cana route will commence on December 26, 2024, with two weekly flights, increasing to four weekly flights starting in January. The Montego Bay route will begin on January 25, 2025, with two weekly flights.

With this addition, Milwaukee becomes the 21st U.S. city offering non-stop flights to Punta Cana. Sun Country already operates flights to this Dominican destination from Dallas-Fort Worth during the summer.

Additionally, Sun Country will resume its seasonal route to Cancun, Mexico. Including these new flights, the airline now operates eight routes from Milwaukee, according to AviacionOnline.

Sun Country Airlines operates 122 routes serving 108 airports across the United States, Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. The airline offers free in-flight entertainment on passengers’ devices and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Dominican Republic shines on Golfweek’s Best 2024 Golf Courses list

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has once again secured a prominent spot on Golfweek’s Best 2024 list, which highlights the top golf courses in Mexico, the Caribbean, the Atlantic Islands, and Central America. This year, the country reaffirms its status as a premier golf destination, boasting seven courses in the top 50 of the region, including the top three positions.

Golfweek’s rating panel, comprising hundreds of members, continuously evaluates golf courses based on 10 rigorous criteria, providing an overall rating for each course. These scores are averaged to produce a final cumulative ranking, which is then compared to other courses in the region.

Dominican Republic Golf Courses Featured in Golfweek’s Best 2024 List:

1. Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club – 8.01

   • Location: Río San Juan, Dominican Republic

   • Architects: Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (1997)

   • Position: 1

2. Cap Cana (Punta Espada) – 7.72

   • Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: Jack Nicklaus (2006)

   • Position: 2

3. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) – 7.56

   • Location: La Romana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: Pete Dye (1971)

   • Position: T3

4. Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales) – 7.13

   • Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: Tom Fazio (2010)

   • Position: 8

5. Casa de Campo (Dye Fore) – 6.51

   • Location: La Romana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: Pete Dye (2002)

   • Position: 23

6. Casa de Campo (La Romana) – 6.04

   • Location: La Romana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: Pete Dye (1990)

   • Position: T44

7. Puntacana Resort (La Cana: Hacienda/Arrecife) – 5.94

   • Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

   • Architect: PB Dye (2001)

   • Position: 49

About Golfweek’s Best 2024

This recognition underscores the excellence and quality of the Dominican Republic’s golf courses, solidifying its reputation as a world-class golf destination. With its breathtaking landscapes, courses designed by renowned architects, and top-notch services, the Dominican Republic continues to attract golfers from around the globe seeking an unparalleled golfing experience.

Source: Visitantes.do

Dominican hotels occupancy rises in Q1

Santo Domingo.- Hotel occupancy in the first quarter of the year reached 84.3%, marking a 4.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

The regions with the highest average growth in hotel occupancy were Boca Chica-Juan Dolio, with a 20.9% increase, and La Romana-Bayahíbe, with an 8.6% rise.

Air passenger arrivals totaled 2,334,562.3, with 86.9% being non-resident foreigners and 12.1% non-resident Dominicans.

In contrast, the first quarter saw an 8.8% decrease in cruise ship arrivals, with only 258 cruise ships docking, according to the Statistics Bulletin from the Macroeconomic and Sector Statistics Division of the National Statistics Office.

Despite the drop in cruise ship arrivals, the number of cruise passengers increased. In the first quarter of 2023, 801,878 passengers arrived in the country, compared to 866,829 in 2024.

Dominican airline breaks passenger transit record

Santo Domingo – Arajet reported that it transported more than 66,000 passengers in April, not counting connections. This made it the Dominican airline with the highest passenger movement in the first four months of 2024, a historical record since never before has a local airline reached such figures.

According to the report of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board (JAC) on Dominican airline traffic last month, Arajet led the local market, transporting 83% of all passengers who moved through the country’s airports.

The JAC report highlights that Arajet was the only Dominican airline with growth in passenger movement in April, compared to March, and that the airline already represents 4% of the total passengers transported in the country during that month, and that it is already the second airline with the highest passenger movement at Las Americas International Airport.

According to the JAC report, Skyhigh Aviation was the second Dominican airline with the highest passenger movement, with 9,400 passengers, and Air Century was the third, with only 3,853 passengers.

Victor Pacheco Mendez, CEO & Founder of Arajet, said that with these figures, which, if the connections are added, become almost 90 thousand passengers, the airline reaffirms its commitment to the development of commercial aviation in the Dominican Republic to continue offering a memorable experience with the highest standards.

“Arajet has become the main travel option for Dominicans and the American continent who have chosen to fly to the 23 destinations where we have operations aboard our comfortable and modern aircraft,” he said.

He also thanked the passengers for their confidence in the Dominican Republic’s flag carrier and the transit travelers who use this new hub to connect from Canada to the southern cone.

Frontier threatens to displace JetBlue in the Caribbean

San Juan – JetBlue’s flight leadership in the Caribbean region, especially in operations between the United States and the Dominican Republic, is under threat, as Frontier seeks to capture part of that valuable market.

Both low-cost airlines are starring in an eye-catching competition from Puerto Rican soil to the DR. For example, in the connection between the capital of Puerto Rico and Santiago de los Caballeros, Frontier has opened up powerful competition to JetBlue, planning to offer almost 34,000 seats. In the same way, it is proposed to operate five weekly flights to Santo Domingo from various airports in Puerto Rico, making JetBlue reinforce its offensive, as in fact, it is already doing, betting on its sweetest strategy: great offers, as it could. check arecoa.com. As a disadvantage for JetBlue, this fierce competition comes at a time when its image and reputation in the Dominican market are simply faltering. The cause? Its constant service failures, ranging from cancellations to delays that in many cases exceed 20 hours. Everything seems to indicate that the battle that Frontier is posing to JetBlue from Puerto Rico is just the beginning and that will then expand to other American destinations where JetBlue dominates at ease.

Being the logistics hub of the region is a goal that Dominican Republic will achieve

Santo Domingo – Rafael Tactuk highlights that the Dominican authorities are making an effort to create relevant regulations The international transportation connectivity of the Dominican Republic has advantages over other countries in the area, which naturally positions it as a possible logistics “hub” for the Americas.

And the Dominican authorities are making an effort to create the regulations that allow the country to reach this goal, while the private sector makes the necessary investments to provide the required services. In other words, being the logistics “hub” of the region is a goal that the country will achieve in a short time, said Rafael Tactuk, manager of Kuehne+Nagel in the Dominican Republic, the largest sea and air carrier in the world.

“It is well known that the Dominican Republic has a very good geographical location, as it is located in the middle of the entire Atlantic coast of the Americas. For maritime shipments it is the first point that ships touch coming from the European continent towards Latin America, which gives us preference in transit times and rates,” said Tactuk.

He added that for air cargo, the airports of Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ) have direct flights to the different airports used as distribution centers in Europe and the United States and that is important for the connectivity of international transport of the Dominican Republic.

In the country, Kuehne+Nagel provides service for the complete “Door to Door” supply chain with international air and sea cargo transportation services, land transportation, customs management, storage and distribution of temperature-controlled and dry products.

Tactuk expressed that the company is part of the five main freight forwarders in the country and specializes in perishable cargo movements, free zone cargo such as medical devices, also health care products and products. mass consumption.

Puerto Plata strengthens its position as cruise leader with 75% of arrivals

Puerto Plata.- The Dominican Republic currently operates 10 tourist ports. In Santo Domingo, there are Don Diego (ferry) and Sans Soucí. Amber Cove and Taíno Bay operate in Puerto Plata. Additionally, there are port terminals in La Romana, Isla Catalina, Samaná, Cap Cana, Isla Saona, and the recently opened Pedernales-Cabo Rojo.

In the first three months of this year, 866,829 passengers arrived in the country by sea, with 649,751 passing through the Amber Cove (317,694) and Taíno Bay (332,057) terminals in Puerto Plata, accounting for 75% of visitors during this period. La Romana ranked second with 158,079 cruise passengers.

According to the Central Bank, 275 ships docked at Dominican ports in the first quarter of 2024, with 174 (63.3%) arriving in Puerto Plata, reaffirming its leadership in cruise ship arrivals. Cabo Rojo port received one ship in January, with no passengers reported disembarking.

The cruise terminals of Cap Cana, Isla Saona, and Pedernales have not reported any cruise passenger entries so far this year, although updates for April and May are pending.

January saw the highest number of cruise passenger arrivals, with 319,410, representing 36.8% of the first quarter of 2024. This month also recorded 103 ships docking at tourist ports, accounting for 37.5% of the quarterly total.

Throughout 2023, 2,258,941 visitors or cruise passengers arrived through ports equipped to receive tourist ships, according to El Dinero.

American Airlines expanding with new route to La Romana

Fort Worth, Texas.- This winter, American Airlines is expanding its services to the Dominican Republic by adding La Romanaas its fifth destination in the country. Starting December 5, daily flights between La Romana International Airport (LRM) and Miami International Airport (MIA) will be available, operated by Airbus A319 aircraft.

“We are proud to continue growing our presence in the Dominican Republic with our highly anticipated return to La Romana,” said Oliver Bojos, American Airlines Regional Manager in the Central Caribbean. “Next year, we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary in the country with a record operation, reinforcing our commitment to the Dominican Republic, our local team, and our customers, who year after year select American as their airline of choice.”

Flight Schedule:

• MIA to LRM: Departs at 10:30 a.m., Arrives at 2:06 p.m., Airbus A319, Daily

• LRM to MIA: Departs at 3:06 p.m., Arrives at 4:53 p.m., Airbus A319, Daily

Winter Operations in the Dominican Republic

American Airlines plans to operate up to 25 daily flights to five destinations in the Dominican Republic during peak days. These destinations include La Romana (LRM), Puerto Plata (POP), Punta Cana (PUJ), Santiago (STI), and Santo Domingo (SDQ). This expansion represents a 5% increase in flights and a 6% increase in available seats compared to the airline’s previous record winter operation.

Tickets for these flights will be available for purchase starting May 20 on aa.com or the American Airlines mobile app.

Archipelago International expands into the Dominican Republic with four new properties

Punta Cana, DR.- Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned hotel management group, has announced a significant expansion into the Dominican Republic. The company plans to open four new hotels and condotels within the next year, adding over 600 rooms to the country’s already dynamic tourism sector.

According to a press release, this expansion marks a strategic move for Archipelago International, demonstrating its commitment to growing its presence in the Caribbean and Mexico. Beyond the Dominican Republic, the company has revealed plans for additional hotel openings in these regions.

“The Dominican Republic government has fostered a very favorable business environment for tourism,” said Gerard Byrne, CEO of Archipelago International. “This commitment played a major role in our decision to establish our second regional corporate office in Punta Cana. Additionally, we are planning new offices in Santo Domingo and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, to further strengthen our operational capabilities.”

The company’s confidence in the Dominican Republic market stems from the success of their existing regional ventures. Since opening its first resort in Cuba in 2019, Archipelago International has grown rapidly, now boasting five hotels with over 3,200 rooms across the region.

The upcoming Dominican Republic properties cater to a variety of traveler needs. “Reserva Real by Harper, Punta Cana” offers 187 rooms, targeting vacationers seeking a luxurious escape. For business travelers, “Aston Rubí City Suites, Santo Domingo” (179 rooms) and “Aston Bocettos City Suites, Santo Domingo” (126 rooms) provide comfortable and convenient urban accommodations. Families and adventure seekers can enjoy the beachfront setting of “Grand Aston Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa” (170 rooms).

This expansion is just the beginning for Archipelago International in the Dominican Republic. The company has announced a series of additional signed agreements for future development. These include luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and family-friendly options, further diversifying the tourism landscape. Notable projects include “Grand Aston Larimar City Golf Hotel & Residences” (228 rooms) and “Grand Aston Cáicu Coral Golf Hotel & Residences” (a massive 669 rooms), both offering golf course access in Punta Cana.

Competitive edge

Beyond showcasing their development plans, Archipelago International highlighted their competitive edge. “We offer a unique combination of proven operational and brand solutions with a fee structure significantly lower than other global brands,” explained José Luis Leonardo, Vice President of the Americas for Archipelago International. “We also leverage cutting-edge technology solutions and a flexible approach as an independent company.”

This commitment to innovation extends to a focus on improved owner-operator relationships. Byrne emphasizes that Archipelago International “has changed the paradigm” by creating new partnership models that offer owners a fairer return on investment compared to traditional fee structures.

The opening ceremony for the new Punta Cana corporate office was a well-attended affair, reflecting the positive reception Archipelago International has received in the Dominican Republic. The ceremony included speeches from government officials, industry leaders, and prominent figures from Indonesia and the Dominican Republic. This strong foundation paves the way for Archipelago International’s successful expansion and contribution to the Dominican Republic’s thriving tourism

Record number of villages vying for Best Tourism Villages 2024 designation

Madrid.– A record-breaking 260 villages from over 60 countries across all five global regions have applied for the 2024 Best Tourism Villages initiative by UNWTO. This year’s application period closed on May 8th.

Building on past successes, the program aims to inspire communities worldwide to leverage tourism for rural development and well-being. UNWTO member states submitted applications for up to eight candidate villages each.

An independent Advisory Board will evaluate the applications based on nine key areas:

• Cultural and natural resources

• Cultural resource promotion and conservation

• Economic, social, and environmental sustainability

• Tourism development and value chain integration

• Tourism governance and prioritization

• Infrastructure and connectivity

• Health, safety, and security

The winning villages and those chosen for the Upgrade Programme will be announced later this year.

UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme actively supported member states throughout the application process. Online sessions offered in four languages attracted 117 participants, reflecting the strong commitment to promoting rural tourism development.

The Best Tourism Villages Network, a global network of 186 members, will continue to expand. It currently includes 129 recognized Best Tourism Villages and 57 villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, representing 55 countries. This network fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnerships to drive rural development through tourism.

Arajet tops April’s local market: 66,000+ passengers

Santo Domingo.- Arajet Airlines announced that it facilitated the transportation of over 66,000 passengers in April, excluding connecting flights, solidifying its position as the leading Dominican carrier for passenger mobilization in the first four months of 2024.

As per the report by the Civil Aviation Board of the Dominican Republic on domestic airline traffic, Arajet dominated the local market last month, accounting for 83% of all passengers across various airports in the country.

The report from the JAC (Junta de Aviación Civil) underscores Arajet’s distinction as the sole Dominican airline to experience growth in passenger transportation from March to April, constituting 4% of the total passengers transported nationwide during the latter month.

Remarkably, Arajet emerges as the second-largest carrier in terms of passenger mobilization at Las Américas International Airport.

Víctor Pacheco Méndez, the visionary behind Arajet, emphasized that when considering connecting flights, the figures soar to nearly 90,000 passengers. He further asserted the airline’s unwavering commitment to advancing commercial aviation in the Dominican Republic.

“Arajet has emerged as the preferred travel option for both Dominicans and passengers across the American continent, as evidenced by our operations spanning 23 destinations,” remarked Pacheco Méndez.

According to the JAC report, SkyHigh Aviation stood as the second busiest Dominican airline, recording 9,400 passengers, while Air Century secured the third position with 3,853 passengers.

Dominican Republic and Paraguay to face France

The French Olympic soccer team, led by Thierry Henry, is gearing up for preparatory matches ahead of the Paris Games, scheduled from July 24 to August 9. They will face Paraguay on July 4 in Bayonne and the Dominican Republic on July 11 in Toulon.

In addition to these fixtures, the host nation will play another friendly against Japan on July 17 in Toulon.

Prior to these encounters, Henry will gather the Olympic squad, comprised mostly of under-23 players, at the Clairefontaine training center throughout June. The final list of 18 players for the Games, including two goalkeepers, will be unveiled on a yet-to-be-determined date, likely during the week of May 20.

Henry’s selection process hinges on the announcement of the senior team’s roster by coach Didier Deschamps, expected on Thursday for the European Championship in Germany. The finalized Olympic squad must be submitted to Paris-2024 and FIFA by July 5.

France will kick off their Olympic campaign in Group A, alongside New Zealand, the United States, and Guinea. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic will commence in Group C against Spain, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, with Paraguay starting in Group D, facing Japan, Mali, and Israel.

Aerolíneas Argentinas reconnects Córdoba with Punta Cana

Punta Cana.- After a hiatus of four and a half years, Aerolíneas Argentinas is set to resume its services between Córdoba (COR), Argentina, and Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic, a highly sought-after vacation spot among Argentine travelers.

According to the Aerolíneas Argentinas reservation system, flights linking Córdoba and Punta Cana will commence on September 13, utilizing Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This route will mark the eleventh longest for the model, spanning a distance of 5,538 kilometers.

From Córdoba, passengers will have access to connections to and from various cities such as Neuquén, Comodoro Rivadavia, Mar del Plata, San Juan, Mendoza, Resistencia, Tucumán, or Bariloche, presenting a new travel option for residents of Argentina’s interior regions, as reported by aviacionline.com.

The flight schedule for Córdoba-Punta Cana route is as follows:

Córdoba – Punta Cana flight AR 1326 COR 14:00 – 20:50 PUJ / Fridays and Saturdays.

Punta Cana – Córdoba flight AR 1327 PUJ 22:05 – 07:00 COR / Fridays and Saturdays.

This new route will complement the existing four weekly flights departing from Buenos Aires/Ezeiza with Airbus A330-200 aircraft, adding an extra capacity of 2,176 seats per week. In an indirect competition, it rivals Arajet, which operates a daily flight to Santo Domingo/Las Américas with Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Punta Cana stands out as one of the top destinations for Aerolíneas Argentinas, with ANAC Argentina data indicating that the state-owned company transported 78,030 passengers in 2023, achieving a 92% occupancy rate. According to the National Statistics Office (ONE) of the Dominican Republic, approximately 199,668 Argentines visited the Caribbean nation last year, primarily through connections in Lima, Panama City, São Paulo, Miami, or Bogotá.

Argentina ranks as the second South American country with the highest number of tourists visiting the Dominican Republic and holds the fourth position globally. The reintroduction of Aerolíneas Argentinas’ service to Punta Cana from Argentina’s second most populous city is expected to diversify passenger flow and further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Santiago’s Tourism cluster foresees Soccer World Cup as launchpad for growth

Santo Domingo.- The signing of an agreement today between the Mayor’s Office of Santiago and the Dominican Football Federation (FEDOFUTBOL), in collaboration with the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), marks a significant milestone for the tourism development of the Santiago Tourist Destination Cluster. This agreement paves the way for the hosting of the U-17 Women’s Football World Cup in this city.

The directors of the Cluster hailed the decision to bring the Women’s Soccer World Cup to Santiago as a highly positive move that will elevate the city’s profile across the globe. Ramón Paulino, speaking on behalf of the Cluster, emphasized the worldwide popularity of football and the immense opportunity it presents for Santiago to gain international recognition. He congratulated the newly elected mayor, Ulises Rodríguez, expressing confidence in his ability to leverage this opportunity.

Paulino highlighted that the Women’s Soccer World Cup, scheduled from October 16 to November 3 of this year, will not only attract players but also coaches, technicians, and football enthusiasts from around the world. This influx of visitors presents both opportunities and challenges, including the need for multilingual personnel to cater to the diverse needs of foreign visitors.

For the Santiago Tourism Cluster, hosting the Women’s Soccer World Cup signifies a transformative moment, not just for sports but also for tourism in the city. The event arrives at a crucial juncture in the city’s development as a tourist destination, coinciding with various infrastructure projects undertaken by both the private and public sectors. These include the construction of a monorail, the inauguration of the first phase of a cable car system, expansion of city entrances, establishment of five new hotels and plazas, all contributing to the city’s burgeoning prosperity.