Netherlands praises maritime agreement with Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Frank Keurhorst, the Netherlands’ ambassador to the Dominican Republic, has commended the recent maritime delimitation agreement between the two nations as a significant step in strengthening their bilateral relationship. Through an interpreter, Keurhorst described the treaty as beneficial for both countries, emphasizing the thorough negotiation process that ensured respect for each nation’s sovereignty and included detailed technical evaluations from both sides. While the Dutch Parliament has already approved the agreement, the Dominican Republic’s decision is still pending.

Keurhorst highlighted the collaborative nature of the negotiations, responding to Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez’s recent statement that the Dominican Republic gained territory through this treaty. The ambassador confirmed that the agreement establishes a fair maritime boundary, fostering cooperation and a solid, mutually respectful partnership.

Minister Álvarez clarified that the agreement resulted in a gain of 11 nautical miles for the Dominican Republic, countering claims that the nation surrendered territorial waters. Mirex officials argued that critics of the Constitutional Court’s decision to ratify the agreement lack understanding of the specifics discussed during the negotiation.

Puerto Plata Civil Defense closes beaches due to strong waves

The Civil Defense of the province of Puerto Plata reported this Saturday that the Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee (CPMR) decided to close all beaches as a preventive measure due to the strong waves and winds caused by a trough in the town and other areas of the country.

The orange director in the area, Whascar García, indicated that a red flag was placed on all beaches. In addition, preventive measures per iPhone were carried out in the most vulnerable communities to preserve the lives of bathers and vacationers.

It should be noted that this past Friday morning, Juan Salas, the executive director of the relief institution, held a virtual meeting with the provincial directors and governors of the provinces under yellow and green alert to monitor and coordinate actions in the face of the heavy rains that are affecting the national territory.

“We remain vigilant against any eventuality that may arise in the next few hours due to the cold front and the rains. It is a commitment that we have as a response and prevention institution to keep society well informed,” said Salas.

In the virtual meeting, representatives of Supérate and the Single System of Beneficiaries (SIUBEN) were also present, who joined the preventive work.

Air Century unveils Gulfstream IV-SP luxury jet at World Travel Expo

Santo Domingo.- Air Century recently showcased its charter flight services at the World Travel Expo (WTE) in Miami Beach. Represented by Farah Kasse, commercial agent for the charter division, the airline highlighted its diverse fleet, which includes the Gulfstream IV-SP luxury jet for business or family travel and the CRJ200, a 50-passenger aircraft suited for group travel, such as sports teams. The airline also presented flexible catering options tailored to customer preferences, emphasizing the luxury and personalization of its services.

Kasse noted that participating in WTE was a significant opportunity to attract new clients and build strategic partnerships, particularly showcasing the Gulfstream GIV for its luxury and comfort.

Known for over 30 years of exclusive flight experiences, Air Century aims to reinforce its reputation with its charter services. Besides charter flights, the airline operates regular routes from La Isabela and Punta Cana to Caribbean destinations like Havana, Sint Maarten, and Aruba, supporting regional connectivity and tourism development across the Caribbean.

Dominican tourism sets record with over 8 million visitors in 2024

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector reached a historic milestone with 8,362,285 visitors from January to September, the highest number ever recorded for this period. Tourism Minister David Collado announced the figures, highlighting 580,617 visitors in September alone—468,916 arriving by air and 111,701 by sea. This marks a 55% increase over September 2019 and 21% over 2022.

So far in 2024, the country has welcomed 6,430,400 air travelers and 1,931,896 cruise passengers. Minister Collado noted this total visitor count reflects a 45% rise from 2019, a 36% increase from 2022, and a 10% increase from 2023. He projects the year will end with 11.5 million visitors, setting a new record.

Leading tourist sources include the United States (39%), Canada (9%), and Colombia (8%). Punta Cana Airport received the most visitors at 56%, followed by Las Américas at 27% and Cibao at 12%.

Asonahores and Aderes unveil seventh edition of Restaurant Week 2024

Santo Domingo.- The Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) and the Dominican Association of Restaurants (Aderes) have announced the upcoming seventh edition of Restaurant Week Santo Domingo, set to take place from November 11 to 17, 2024. This gastronomic event will feature over 90 iconic restaurants, including those within hotels, showcasing a diverse array of flavors unique to Santo Domingo.

David Llibre, president of Asonahores, emphasized the event’s goal to elevate the city’s culinary scene and position the Dominican Republic as a leading gastronomic destination in the region. Omar Cepeda, president of Aderes, noted that Restaurant Week is an opportunity for both the culinary sector and food enthusiasts to experience a variety of Dominican dishes at an exceptional level. During this week, diners can choose between a two-course tasting menu priced at RD$1,395.00 plus tax or a three-course menu for RD$1,795.00 plus tax, with the latter options not including drinks.

This year’s Restaurant Week expands its reach, including regions in the East and North of the country, with a vision of establishing a national gastronomic route. Diners can explore restaurant offerings and special promotions on the website www.sdqgastronomico.com. They will also have the chance to vote for their favorite establishments, which will be evaluated based on the criteria set by the Dominican Academy of Gastronomy. The event is supported by several sponsors, including American Express, the Ministry of Tourism, and various local beverage and food companies.

Puerto Plata consolidates in cruise ships: it will receive 46 ships in November

Puerto Plata is preparing to receive the arrival of 46 cruise ships during the month of November. The vessels will arrive through the ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay, which play a strategic role in strengthening tourism in the region.

The director of the northern regional of Tourism, Atahualpa Paulino, reported that 22 of these cruise ships will dock at Amber Cove, operated by Carnival Corporation, while the remaining 24 will arrive at Taino Bay, under the management of ITM Group.

“This volume of arrivals reaffirms Puerto Plata’s position as a key destination for the cruise industry in the Caribbean,” he said.

Paulino stressed that the Dominican Republic continues to consolidate itself as the main HUB for cruises in the Caribbean. The support from the Government has allowed this province to become the one with the highest volume of cruise ship arrivals and tourist reception, contributing to the local economy and generating opportunities for the community.

Each arrival is expected to contribute significantly to local trade and services, thus boosting the tourism destination’s economy, according to NDigital.

Thanks to the collaboration between the public and private sectors, Puerto Plata projects a future of continuous growth in cruise tourism, reaffirming its role as a pillar of tourism in the region.

Dominican economy accumulates average growth of 5.1%, says Central Bank

Santo Domingo—The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), in the interest of keeping economic agents and the public opinion in general duly informed and as part of its institutional commitment to transparency and timely disclosure of data under its responsibility, informs the preliminary results of economic activity as of September 2024.

The monthly indicator of economic activity (IMAE) registered an expansion of 4.7% during September of this year, accumulating an average inter-annual growth of 5.1% from January to September 2024.

This performance has taken place in an environment of price stability, in which inflation has remained in the lower part of the target range of 4.0 % ± 1.0 % this year. The monetary and fiscal policies implemented have allowed us to overcome the risk factors for the Dominican economy’s performance in a timely manner.

In this sense, it is essential to point out that the trajectory observed by the economic activity shows the resilience of the national productive apparatus in the current global context, in which the expectations of economic agents have been affected by the uncertainty associated with the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Despite the global outlook, the United States of America (USA), the country’s main trading partner, presented a year-on-year growth of 2.7% in the third quarter of 2024. Year-on-year inflation stood at 2.4 % in September, showing a soft landing towards its target.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve decided at its most recent meeting in September to reduce its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) and is expected to continue lowering it in the remaining period of 2024. In this context, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its growth projection for 2024 at 2.8 %, an increase of 0.2 percentage points.

In addition, the expansion of the IMAE in January-September places the Dominican Republic as the economy with the highest inter-annual increase concerning its Latin American peers, according to the latest information available to date published by the countries.

Likewise, this result aligns with the forecasts of different international organizations and the government’s inter-institutional macroeconomic framework, whose projections point to an expansion of around 5.0% and place the country as the leader in economic activity growth in the region by the end of 2024.

The inter-annual variation of 5.1 % in January-September 2024 is due to the performance of activities such as construction (4.4 %) and free trade zone manufacturing (6.5 %), highlighting that exports under this regime amounted to US$6,404.1 million in the referred period. Likewise, service activities as a whole showed an accumulated increase of 5.3% concerning the same period of the previous year, among which financial intermediation (7.9%), hotels, bars and restaurants (6.3%), transportation and storage (5.9%), real estate and rental activities (5.7%) and communications (5.1%) stand out.

Concerning financial intermediation, this activity presented an inter-annual increase in its real aggregate value of 7.9 % in January-September, influenced by the 16.2 % expansion of credit granted to the private sector in local currency, equivalent to RD$309,554.3 million additional for September of the previous year.

An important aspect to highlight is that although mining recorded an average inter-annual variation of -6.1 % in January-September, this activity presented a positive result in August by 8.5 % and September by 16.9 %, sustained by the increase in gold production in the country’s main deposit.

Regarding construction, this sector showed an inter-annual variation of 4.4% in the January-September period, reflected in the increase in sales volumes of the main inputs used in developing infrastructure works.

The added value of the hotels, bars, and restaurants activity experienced an inter-annual variation of 6.3 % in January-September, which has been significantly influenced by passengers’ arrivals through the different airport terminals. By the end of this year, some 8.5 million tourists are expected to arrive.

Finally, the Dominican economy is in an excellent position to maintain a growth rate around its potential, considering the strength of its macroeconomic fundamentals, the resilience of the productive sectors, and the improvement in country risk indicators in international markets.

Adompretur celebrates the 20th Epifanio Lantigua Tourism Journalism Award

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur) celebrated the 20th edition of the Epifanio Lantigua National Tourism Journalism Awards (PEL) on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for both the organization and the tourism sector. Despite the gala’s success, the spotlight on tourism reporting and its role in addressing pressing challenges was just as important as the accolades.

Ivonne Ferreras won the Grand Prize for her impactful report, “Sargasso: An Environmental Plague Casting Its Tentacles Over the Coastal Shore, Affecting Tourism”, published in Panorama. Her piece tackled an issue that is more than an environmental concern—it poses a direct threat to the future of tourism in the Dominican Republic. Ferreras’ work underscores the critical role of journalism in highlighting both the triumphs and the trials of this vital sector.

Adompretur president Yenny Polanco Lovera underscored the importance of this year’s awards, emphasizing that they come at a time when the Dominican Republic is solidifying its status as the leading tourism destination in the Caribbean. However, with this growth come new challenges, and Polanco Lovera acknowledged the need for the country to continue improving the quality of its services, from hotels to eco-tourism ventures. This commitment to raising standards is essential, as the sector’s rapid expansion requires a careful balance between development and sustainability.

She also expressed gratitude for the support Adompretur has received from the Ministry of Tourism, led by Minister David Collado, as well as from Banco Popular Dominicano, Cap Cana Ciudad Destino, Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel, Casas del XVI, INFOTEP, the Airport Department, the Civil Aviation Board and other institutions that believe in this project and in the growth of Dominican tourism as an economic driver.

While the event celebrated many journalists for their contributions to promoting tourism, the evening also highlighted a broader conversation about the sector’s direction. The presence of figures like Miguel Ledhesma, president of the World Tourism Journalism Organization (OMPT), and María Shaw and Fernando Milo of the Ibero-American Federation of Tourism Journalists (FIPETUR), underscored the international recognition of Dominican tourism. But this moment of reflection also prompts questions about how local tourism reporting can continue to shine a light on areas in need of reform and action.

One of the key takeaways from the awards is the need for tourism journalism to maintain its role as an advocate for transparency and accountability. Reports like Ferreras’ on sargasso and other winning entries demonstrate the power of media to not only promote the country’s attractions but also critically examine the challenges they face.

The celebration honored journalists across multiple categories, including television, photography, and gastronomy. But beyond recognizing individual achievements, the event reinforced the need for tourism journalism to serve as a bridge between the sector’s aspirations and the realities of the communities impacted by tourism. The report by Jessica Leonor and Daniela Pujols on the international reach of bachata, for example, highlighted how cultural preservation and tourism are intertwined, yet vulnerable to the demands of a growing global audience.

Vice Minister of Tourism Roberto Henríquez, representing Minister David Collado, reiterated the government’s commitment to working with journalists to continue promoting the Dominican Republic as a premier destination. Henríquez’s remarks, while celebratory, also hinted at the need for collaboration between the sector and the press to ensure that tourism remains a driver of economic and social progress, particularly in areas that require sustainable development.

The jury tasked with evaluating the submissions from the 61 participants was led by journalist Tony Pérez and included academics Luis Felipe Aquino, Gustavo Olivo Peña, Esteban Rosario, Rosanna Figueroa, Aurelio Henríquez, Bolívar Troncoso, Oscar Peña, José Antonio Aybar, José Mármol and Edgar Lantigua, the son of Epifanio Lantigua. All members of the jury possess extensive experience in both journalism and the tourism sector.

Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of RD$50,000, a solid bronze trophy designed by sculptor Rafael Bueno and crafted at the “El Artístico” workshops in La Romana, and a certificate recognizing their achievement. Additionally, the recipient of the Grand Prize will be awarded RD$85,000 and two airline tickets to a destination served by Arajet.

The gala also paid tribute to notable figures, such as Daniel García Archibald and Edmundo Aja, recognizing their contributions to both tourism and media. Jairon Severino’s El Dinero newspaper received the third distinction; since its launch on February 2, 2015, it has been consistently informing the public about economic matters relevant to all sectors, tourism included.

These acknowledgments, while deserved, reflect the complex relationship between tourism growth and media coverage—a dynamic that demands ongoing dialogue and reflection to ensure that both sectors thrive without sacrificing the well-being of the environment and local communities.

As the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector continues to expand, the need for informed, critical journalism grows more urgent. While the awards ceremony served as a celebration of achievement, it also underscored the essential role of journalism in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for tourism. By continuing to confront the sector’s challenges and promoting thoughtful development, tourism reporting can help ensure that the Dominican Republic remains not just a top destination but a model for responsible tourism in the region.

Dominican Chamber of Deputies approves $625 million in loans

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Chamber of Deputies approved loans totaling $625 million on Wednesday. These funds, requested by the Executive Branch, are aimed at addressing climate change and improving medium and low voltage networks in the national electrical system. Despite opposition, the ruling Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRM) and its allied parties used their majority to pass the proposal.

The approved loans include $100 million from the French Development Agency (AFD) and $300 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Both are intended to support a climate action program aimed at promoting sustained economic development.

Additionally, a $225 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will be used by government-owned electricity distribution companies to enhance their infrastructure. All loan agreements will now be sent to the Senate for further approval.

Dominican Republic among Americans’ top winter vacation destinations

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic ranks fourth among the most popular winter destinations for U.S. travelers for the 2024-2025 season, according to Mabrian Travel Intelligence. The “Mabrian Search Share Index” highlights increasing interest in Caribbean destinations like Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Mexican Caribbean, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Demand for Dominican vacations has grown by 4%, based on flights departing from the top 20 U.S. airports, which account for 85% of total international U.S. air traffic.

This increase aligns with trends observed in October for travel between November 2024 and February 2025, where U.S. travelers show strong interest in Caribbean destinations. The U.S. remains a critical market for Caribbean tourism, particularly during winter, according to the Caribbean Tourism Association. Among the top Caribbean destinations, Costa Rica has experienced the highest growth in demand, with a 33% year-on-year increase.

Puerto Rico, the Mexican Caribbean, and the Dominican Republic also saw notable increases in demand, with Puerto Rico rising by 9%, the Mexican Caribbean by 6%, and the Dominican Republic by 4%, largely driven by Santo Domingo’s Las Américas Airport. Conversely, Jamaica and the Bahamas have seen declining interest, with searches dropping by 17% and 20%, respectively, compared to the previous winter.

Aerodom designs new runway for AILA to accommodate 4 million passengers

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Airports Siglo XXI (Aerodom) is actively working on the design of a new runway at Las Américas International Airport (AILA), with construction slated to begin in 2025. This project represents a significant investment of US$250 million and aims to enhance the airport’s capacity to accommodate 4 million passengers annually. The modernization efforts are focused on improving infrastructure and streamlining immigration processes, which will positively impact airport security and surveillance.

Key components of the expansion include the renovation of inspection and control areas, designed to expedite passenger flow and enhance security measures. Additionally, the vehicle parking lot is being expanded to provide more long-term parking options to meet increasing demand. Upcoming improvements also include the complete remodeling of the public departure and arrival areas to elevate the overall passenger experience.

The expansion efforts are part of a broader initiative to address the double-digit growth in passenger traffic in the Dominican Republic. All construction and remodeling works at AILA are expected to be completed by December 2024. Recently, Igor Rodríguez, general director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), and Mónika Infante, CEO of Aerodom, visited AILA to assess the progress of these vital infrastructure upgrades, which involve collaboration between Vinci Airports and Aerodom.

Punta Bergantín to transform Northern region into world-class tourist destination

Santo Domingo.- Andrés Marranzini, director of the Punta Bergantín Trust, highlighted the significant impact and strategic plans for developing the northern region into a major tourism destination. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAMDR), Marranzini emphasized that the Punta Bergantín project, driven by local and international investments, will promote both real estate and hotel development while strengthening the value chain and creating jobs.

He outlined the projected economic benefits over the next 36 months, alongside a training program for local workers to meet demand. Marranzini noted that partnerships with brands like Hyatt and the Meliá-Grupo Puntacana alliance, supported by Grupo Reservas and the Ministry of Tourism, ensure the project’s success, particularly in the Villa Montellano community.

The project includes 4,000 hotel rooms, renowned North American hotel brands, and the creation of an Innovation District to position the area as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship. In addition to tourism, a public and private beach club, golf course, and film studio will diversify the economy, making the region a key destination for both business and leisure. Marranzini stressed that the initiative aims to drive sustainable development, with local stakeholders playing an active role in the value chain.

Dominican Republic prepares for humpback whale season

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is gearing up for the humpback whale season in Samaná, which runs from January to March. The Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity has started receiving requests from various companies and institutions eager to experience the presence of these magnificent cetaceans during their stay in Dominican waters.

The expectation for the upcoming season is to exceed the 61,558 visitors recorded in the first quarter of 2024, which included 40,667 foreign tourists (66.1%) and 20,891 local visitors. The Dominican Republic is committed to protecting and studying whales, emphasizing environmental conservation and sustainable development, positioning itself as a leader in responsible tourism and marine life preservation.

To enhance these efforts, the Dominican Government expanded its maritime protection by 30% through a decree signed on April 11, 2024, which established the Orlando Jorge Mera Marine Sanctuary. This initiative aligns with the vision of conserving whale populations, as it is estimated that 80% of North Atlantic humpback whales are born in Dominican waters.

During the Sixty-Ninth Biennial Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Peru, Vice Minister of Coastal and Marine Resources, José Ramón Reyes, represented the Dominican Republic and opposed a proposal from insular Caribbean countries to extend commercial whaling permits. He emphasized the country’s commitment to conservation, stating that the Dominican Republic does not have a tradition of hunting whales and focuses on preserving its natural resources. The presence of whales not only maintains marine ecosystem balance but also supports local economies through ecotourism activities, particularly whale watching, which creates jobs in coastal communities.

Dominican Republic-Malaysia trade reaches US$47.9 million in January-August 2024

Santo Domingo.- From January to August 2024, the Dominican Republic’s trade with Malaysia reached US$47.9 million, with 53.7% attributed to imports and 46.3% to exports. This data, released by ProDominicana, highlights a rise in trade driven by increased cocoa bean exports in 2023. Key exports included cocoa beans, copper scrap, and tobacco products, while imports consisted of copper wire, medical supplies, and postage stamps.

Between 2019 and 2023, trade totaled US$264.8 million, with imports dominating at 79.3%. The figures were presented at the ASEAN Investment Forum in Laos, where discussions centered on economic cooperation and the ASEAN Regional Investment Action Plan 2025-2030.

ProDominicana representatives, including Director of Investment Marcial Smester, also visited key Malaysian institutions such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Port Klang Free Trade Zone. These visits explored potential collaborations in sectors like ICT, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s focus on expanding its presence in Asia.

3rd Latin American Digital Health Congress held in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic hosted the Latin American Digital Health Congress for the third time, with Minister of Public Health Víctor Atallah, Fedor Vidal (CEO of Arium Salud Digital), and Amelia Reyes Mora (President of AF Comunicación Estratégica) in attendance.

Minister Atallah opened the event, emphasizing that it is one of the most significant in the region for digital health. Vidal, an international expert in technology, thanked attendees for leading the digitalization of the health sector, noting that the event represents not only a platform for sharing ideas and showcasing technological advances but also a testament to the evolution of healthcare in the region.

Reyes Mora expressed gratitude to the more than 50 companies and institutions supporting the congress, highlighting AF Comunicación Estratégica’s role as a key partner in healthcare communication, committed to helping clients achieve their goals through effective strategies. She also emphasized the Dominican Republic’s progress toward digital health transformation, particularly with the launch of the national digital health strategy for 2024-2028.

Held at the JW Marriott hotel, the congress featured 30 speakers discussing the future of digital health, synergies between providers and insurers in a digital world, and the challenges faced by healthcare personnel. The event also included seven panels with representatives from the health and technology sectors, as well as international experts from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the U.S., and Mexico.

Four keynote conferences were delivered, covering topics such as “The Future of Digital Health” by Rogelio Umaña from Costa Rica, “Data Interoperability and Open Platforms” by José David Montilla, Vice Minister of Digital Agenda of the Ministry of the Presidency, and “AI Applications to Improve Patient Care” by Dr. Alejandro Mauro from Clínica Alemana in Santiago, Chile.

In addition to government representatives, the event was attended by key figures from the health, technology, business, and social sectors.

Moderators
The panels were moderated by Dr. Cambiaso, Juan Carlos Restrepo (Vice President of Technology at Grupo Humano), Fedor Vidal, Amelia Reyes Mora, Dr. Arnaldo Espaillat (Instituto Oftalmológico Espaillat Cabral), and Dr. Héctor López (President of the Orthopedic Society).

Dominican Republic aims to expand tourism with new open skies agreements

Aderes honors David Collado for contributions to Dominican gastronomic sector

Punta Cana.- The Dominican Restaurant Association (Aderes) awarded Minister of Tourism David Collado for his significant support to the restaurant sector and promotion of the Sustainable Gastronomic Tourism plan. The award was presented during the third edition of Restaurant Week Punta Cana, aimed at elevating the gastronomy and restaurant scene in the Punta Cana and Bávaro region.

Aderes President Omar Cepeda highlighted that the initiative is part of the SDQ Gastronómico 2024 route, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to developing sustainable gastronomic tourism in the country’s busiest tourist areas. The event showcases the Dominican Republic’s culinary offerings, highlighting the diversity of local products and cultural influences.

In addition, Restaurant Week Punta Cana 2023 recognized several restaurants, including Maralia, SBG Punta Cana, and Osteria Giorgetta, for their excellence. The event, running from October 7 to 13, features a variety of participating establishments and offers two-course and three-course tasting menus for diners. Sponsors of SDQ Gastronómico 2024 include American Express, the Ministry of Tourism, and various local brands.

Adventure of the Seas brings over 3,000 tourists to the Dominican Republic

Perdernales.- On Wednesday, more than 3,000 passengers and 1,185 crew members arrived in the Dominican Republic aboard the Adventure of the Seas for the inauguration of the second phase of the Port of Cabo Rojo in Pedernales. This marks a key milestone for the region’s tourism development.

Dominican authorities aim to generate $120 to $150 million through cruise tourism, which is expected to benefit the entire southern region. President Luis Abinader emphasized the project’s goal of creating jobs, with 400 positions at the port alone, and even more once hotels begin operations.

Minister of Tourism David Collado welcomed the passengers, highlighting the economic boost for Pedernales and the southern region. Starting in 2025, a cruise ship will dock at Cabo Rojo every week, offering visitors access to the region’s stunning beaches.

Dominican Republic and Honduras promote new flight route between Santo Domingo and Tegucigalpa

Santo Domingo.- Luis García, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Honduras, announced two significant agreements between the two nations aimed at enhancing tourism and trade.

The first agreement, signed on July 31, is an air trade pact that aims to establish a direct flight route from Santo Domingo to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, which currently does not exist. García noted that travelers currently have to fly through Miami, Panama, or Colombia, and the new route is expected to increase tourism and facilitate the transportation of agricultural products and medical supplies to Honduras.

The second agreement was signed on October 5 in Punta Cana and focuses on collaboration in the tourism sector between the Honduran Tourism Institute and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism. García highlighted that the Dominican Republic aims to share its tourism expertise, having welcomed 10 million tourists last year, and views tourism as a vital opportunity for cooperation and strategic alliances that can attract diverse tourist demographics, including those interested in cultural experiences.

Productive sectors present their views on Tax Reform to Deputies

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies hosted representatives from seven major productive sectors on Tuesday to gather input on the proposed tax reform currently under review by the Finance Committee. Among the attendees were leaders from the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), and the Association of Builders and Developers of Housing (Acoprovi), along with representatives from the tourism, beverage, and rum industries.

Speaker Alfredo Pacheco emphasized the importance of hearing all perspectives on the Fiscal Modernization bill, acknowledging the concerns raised by each sector. The Chamber aims to ensure that the reform is inclusive and takes into account the interests of all stakeholders, with ongoing discussions being essential to refining the project.

The tax reform bill, introduced by the government last week, seeks to raise 122,000 million pesos. However, affected industries have voiced opposition to the current terms. President Luis Abinader has expressed the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with all parties to reach a consensus on the reform. The Finance Committee will continue consultations, including public hearings, as part of its evaluation process.