OCTOBER 2008

Dominican Tourism is seeking to have new market

Dominican Tourism is seeking to have new marketHispanic population in the United States

The Dominican Republic will add its condition of close destination and the economic crisis of the United States, to innovating strategies directed towards niches like the Hispanic population of this country, declared the secretary of Tourism, Francisco Javier García.

Now, we will work with a public of the United States with which we do not work in a regular way and which is one of the most important ethnic group having a proper identity with us, he explained.

He pointed out that currently, the Hispanics represent the 14% of the American population, what means that there is 42 million people of Hispanic origin with whom we can work.

He declared that the Dominican Republic roughly accommodates 4% of the 27 million American tourists, but that among them, 39.5% are traveling coming from New York and that we accommodate 16% of these people, as well as the 11% of the people who travel from Miami.

He said that it’s time to work on promotion and on tourist investments on the level of a Strategic Plan of Tourism Promotion in Dominican Republic, plan which will include all the sectors related to this vital economic branch.

García explained that to reinforce the sustained high growth of the sector, it was also necessary to diversify the tourist offer and to make specific investments in the infrastructure of the tourist poles like Juan Dolio, Punta Cana, Bávaro and Samaná-Las Terrenas- Las Galeras and to give a follow-up on the projects already started in Puerto Plata and in other areas.

Al Momento, 03.10.08

The Peninsula of Samaná

The Peninsula of SamanáTradition and culture

Depicts the best of Samaná is the name of the photographic exhibition inaugurated by the House of the Theatre and the Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN) at the time of a cocktail which was held in the premises of the cultural organization.

In this exhibition are proposed approximately 70 photographs of the objective lovers and amateurs taking part in the photography contest organized by the CCN and the House of the Theatre, images that the visitors will be able to choose according to their preferences.

This photographic contest will be focused in each edition on a specific zone of the country, by offering the occasion to the professionals and the students of immortalizing with their talent particular areas of the Dominican Republic.

During the exhibition, the public will be able to vote for the images of its preference through the Web pages www.centrocuestanacional.com.do and www.casadeteatro.com.

The jury is composed by Alejandro González, executive vice-president of the CCN; Luis Alcala, international guest of Puerto Rico; Domingo Batista, and Jeannette Miller, among others.

The competition allowed the participants to present more than two proposals, with the liberty to use the analogical, digital or hybrid techniques, product of the new edition and reproduction techniques.

The photographs are in color and set on cardboard or any other support.

The subjects are history, attributes and characteristic of the area, bio-diversity, tradition and folklore, gastronomy and craft industry, among others.

El Caribe, 10.10.08

The Dominican Authorities will confiscate derivative products of marine turtles

The Dominican Authorities confiscate derivative products of marine turtlesAnimals in danger

The Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic announced today that from November 3, it will confiscate all the products and the articles derived from marine turtles, mainly of that of Carey type, which is in extinction danger.

It is urgent that we understand that the business of derivative products of the marine turtles and other protected species is strictly prohibited and illegal because these animals are in extinction danger; underlined the organization in a press release.

In this way, it obliges the dealers of this type of products to withdraw them from their shops from now on to November 2.

The marketing of turtles (Carey, Tinglar, Caguamo and green) is illegal in the country and the Carey turtle belongs to the red list of the International Union of Nature Conservancy (UICN), because it is in critical danger of extinction, indicated the Ministry of the Environment.

El Nuevo Diario, 17.10.08

A relaxing weekend in Las Galeras ?

Sol Azul, Bed & BreakfastSol Azul, Bed & Breakfast

Las Galeras, at the tip of the Peninsula of Samaná, where the road does not go further because it finishes on the beach…..

At two steps from the sea and the center of the village, Sol Azul is a haven of peace composed by 4 bungalows, located in a large tropical garden with a beautiful swimming pool.

The unique and peaceful environment as well as the warm welcome of its owners makes of Sol Azul the ideal place to come to spend a few quiet days in this small piece of paradise of Las Galeras.

From there, many activities such as the discovery of the beaches by boat, horse riding, Quad excursions, scuba diving and many other distractions, are possible.

Las Galeras, far from the great tourist centers, extraordinary little place, where the beauty of the landscapes competes with the kindness of the inhabitants…

Las Galeras Live, 24.10.08

Tourism increased by 3,6%

Tourism increased by 3,6%Last nine months

The Central Bank’s monthly report on the tourism sector reveals that Mexico has become the DR’s main competitor for the North American tourist market.

According to Hoy the devaluation in the Mexican peso has made Mexico a cheaper alternative and the principal competitor for the DR.

With the downturn in the US economy and the need for Americans to save as much as possible, Mexico could become a more financially savvy tourist destination.

The report indicates that in the last nine months 2,729,996 tourists from 27 countries came to the DR. This is a 3.6% increase compared to January-September 2007, when 95,618 people came to the DR.

Of the total amount, 87.3% of visitors were non-resident tourists.

DR1, 31.10.08