Latin Hollywood Films brings its 5th production to Punta Cana in less than a year

Renn Loren

In partnership with Sparkhope Productions & HWY 101 Entertainment, Latin Hollywood Films will be filming two pilot episodes for the Alternative TV series List It, to Win It/ Listar Para Ganar, February 8, 9, 10th, 2022, at Punta Cana Resort’s top mansion currently for sale. In addition, the series will be distributed via television worldwide.

The show is Shark Tank meets Life Styles of the Rich and Famous and will feature an impressive list of multi-cultural and international local realtors. This groundbreaking competition show has the realtors compete to win the listing of a pricey multi-million dollar home in the Punta Cana area, a realtor’s ultimate dream and something that would elevate them to A-list status in their field.

Future episodes of the series will be shot in different world-class destinations in the United States and abroad.

The producers are conducting a search for realtors of all levels in their careers. The community response has been unprecedented, with a massive outpouring of support from the hard-working real estate executives in the area.

This is the 5th Production that has been filmed in the area by Latin Hollywood Films, a Los Angeles-based company. Dominican-born CEO Kiki Melendez has been instrumental in green-lighting many television series in the United States in English and Spanish Markets.

This past May, Latin Hollywood Films filmed 3 Comedy Specials Broads Abroad, Black Girl Magic, and Reinas De La Risa, distributed by Maverick Entertainment. This past August, the company filmed two commercials for PBS Kids. Latin Hollywood Films has one documentary and two feature films in development, which they hope to also film on the Island.

Carmen Marrón

“We have assembled a tremendous dream team for List It To Win It/Listar Para Ganar, and we are bringing more work and exposure to this beautiful area, thanks to the great people of Punta Cana who have been very supportive.”
Award-winning Carmen Marrón will direct these shows (Go For It!, Endgame, Queen Sugar). “It is an honor to create a series that will showcase the incredible talent and heart of realtors, and to start in beautiful Punta Cana is going to be paradise film- mafilm-makingeVenne

Executive produced by HWY 101 Entertainment CEO Kim DeVenne:
“We are very excited to kick off this international series world-class luxury destination like Punta Cana while bringing more diversity and inclusion to television.” Cinematography and production services by Giancarlo Beras Goico from TimeCodesFilms (“Freddy” La Pelicula and more).

Participation of the Dominican Republic in Fitur projects business of US$2 billion

President Abinader arrived in the country yesterday through the Punta Cana Airport.

Participation of the DR in Fitur projects businesses of US$2 billion. The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, returned to the Dominican Republic yesterday Friday after exhausting his schedule at the 2022 edition of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) held in Madrid, Spain. Upon his arrival, the president highlighted the participation of the Dominican Republic in the event, which he said was successful and “highly beneficial for the country” due to the amount of business that was achieved.

The president revealed that, between what was achieved by the banks of Reserves, Popular, and the BHD, and what was negotiated with investors who met with him, business is estimated at over 2 billion dollars. In two days of Fitur 2022, the president held 27 meetings with tourism investors, tour operators, airlines, hotel chains, and airlines.

Before traveling to the Dominican Republic this Friday the 21st, the Dominican head of state concluded his busy schedule of work and meetings in this Spanish capital, and during the presentation of the Tourism Development Master Plan for Pedernales, the president announced that this project is one of the the most important bets of this Government administration and that it will be done in four phases.

The first will start with six hotel chains, for a total of 10 years, with an estimated investment of 2,245 million dollars. This new tourist pole will create about 20,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect ones.

Businessman highlights tobacco exports

Santo Domingo, DR
For the executive president of Tabacalera A. Fuente, Ciro Cascella, this is a “historic moment for Dominican tobacco” since its exports amounted to US$1,236 million in 2021.

Cascella said that this is a sign that in 2022, that sector will continue its consolidation to consecrate the Dominican Republic as the world’s leading country in tobacco exports.

Cascella assured that one of the reasons that explain this global leadership is the support of the government of President Luis Abinader and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes (MICM), Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, who a few weeks after taking office presented a plan to relaunch the tobacco sector.

In addition, the businessman said that the growth of this economic activity is thanks to the people who work in the farms and factories, who learned to live with the pandemic and attributed the sector’s success to the quality of the products and raw materials generated in the country.

“That combination of factors allows today, this small Caribbean island to be a world tobacco giant,” he said.

Cascella indicated that the country’s image enjoys an excellent economic moment, attracts investments, and is a quality market.

The president of Tabacalera A. Fuente predicted 2022 full of success and growth, “especially in handmade cigars, further strengthening our products and country brand in important markets such as the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.”

Nearly 100 years of history behind Heritage Chocolate

The Dominican Republic is famous for exporting some of the best cocoa beans in the world. However, few people know that the D.R. also produces high quality handcrafted chocolate bars.

Among those artisan chocolatiers are two brothers who hail from Nice, from where they embarked on their new adventure six months ago.

Jean-Pierre and Valéry Bolonotto didn’t come to the chocolate business by chance. They have their own inspiration: their father, Pietro Bolonotto, an Italian immigrant who was one of the pioneers in the Dominican confectionery, bakery and chocolate industry dating to the 1930’s.

When they sold their brands and machinery in 2008, they couldn’t have imagined that they would reunite 13 years later to start making chocolate again, not on an industrial scale this time, but as handcraft chocolate artisans instead.

Priority 1:   quality

Their focus isn’t quantity any longer, but quality.

What “Valé” and “JP” craft are fine flavor “less processed” chocolate bars.

Their techniques for roasting at low temperatures and stone-grinding the cacao beans, “conching” their batches for days and aging them before molding their bars, are intended to reveal the natural flavor notes of each cacao terroir, as they make exclusively single origins chocolates with the best Dominican organic beans, without soy lecithin, preservatives or any kind of additive or flavoring.

Heritage packaging is also 100% plastic-free and recyclable.

If you haven’t tasted their bars, check-out their Instagram @heritage_chocolate to learn more and get the list of their retailers.

UNWTO awards Dominican Republic for success in tourism recovery

Spain – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recognized the Dominican Republic for its successful recovery in the tourism industry and its efficient management of sanitary protocols in the different destinations of the Caribbean country.

The award was presented by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili to President Luis Abinader in the presence of Tourism Minister David Collado during a meeting with more than 200 travel agents, tour operators, and airline owners as part of the celebration of the 42nd version of the FITUR tourism fair, which officially begins this Wednesday.

The UNWTO secretary-general highlighted the management and sanitary protocols applied in the Dominican Republic to guarantee safe tourism, thus achieving the most successful recovery of the industry in the entire region, reaching record figures in tourist arrivals.

Meanwhile, President Abinader thanked for the distinction and explained that since his arrival to the presidency, tourism recovery had been one of the main priorities, given the contributions it represents for the Dominican economy.

Furthermore, Minister Collado attributed the success of the recovery to the political decision of President Abinader and the joint effort of the public and private sectors, hand in hand with the Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES), which was represented by its president Rafael Blanco Tejera.

“From the Tourism Cabinet we have spared no effort to achieve this recovery because for us tourism has a human face,” said the Minister of Tourism, who presented the destinations of the Dominican Republic to more than 200 tour operators and travel agencies that gathered at the Eurostar Hotel in this city.

Minister Collado explained to the different agencies and tour operators that the Dominican Republic is the only destination in the region where 100% of the employees of the tourism sector are fully vaccinated with two doses and that it has the lowest incidence rate of contagion in the tourist poles, making the country a safe destination to travel.

He also indicated that the Dominican Republic had become a tourism reference in the region thanks to its recovery.

Also present at the event, Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, the Dominican Ambassador to Spain, Juan Bolívar Diaz, the Dominican Ambassador to the WTO, Anibal de Castro, and more than 100 of the country’s businessmen.

Government will promote tourist arrivals to Puerto Plata in alliance with Air Transat

President Luis Abinader said that due to the wave of the virus, the fate of Puerto Plata has been affected by 20% as well as the North Coast so that agreements will be signed, within the framework of Fitur 2022, with airlines such as Air Transat, the Swiss airline and others from all over Europe to which support will be guaranteed so that they continue to bring tourists to the bride of the Atlantic and Samana.

With the president’s statements, it is evident that the destination needs to recover the arrival of tourists by air, since, in terms of visitors by cruise ships, the recovery has been gradual but firm, and more with the incorporation of the new port Taino Bay.

“We are going to reach many important agreements; we are going to have meetings with different airlines such as Air Transat and other airlines from all over Europe to guarantee that they must continue, that they can continue and that they will count on us and with the support of resources for the promotion and so that they continue with their plans to take tourists both to Puerto Plata and also to Samaná,” the president said.

In that sense, the president of the Lifestyle Group, Markus Wischenbart, with a significant presence in Puerto Plata, described as transcendent the participation of the Dominican Republic as a partner in the Fitur 2022 tourism fair because it is the beginning of another step forward to strengthen the recovery of Dominican tourism.

“Fitur is historically the flag to start the great negotiations and promotions of our destination. And as always from this great fair the Dominican tourism industry will come out stronger than ever,” he said.

He assured that from his business group, no effort is spared to guarantee the total recovery of the Dominican and the special tourism of the country’s north coast.

Tourism inks US$1.4B pacts with operators, airlines

Santo Domingo-. The Ministry of Tourism signed agreements, separately, with the Polish tour operator Rainbow Tours and the Spanish Iberia and German airlines, Euro Wings for the development and sustained growth of tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Abinader led, together with the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, the signing of the agreement as part of the activities scheduled within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur 2022).

The first agreement signed with the airline Iberia, seeks to carry out actions to promote the Dominican Republic in Spain, indicates a press release.

Grupo Piñero seals alliance to open projects in Dominican Republic and Jamaica for US$200 million

 With the financing, it plans to reactivate its regional portfolio.

The Inter-American Development Bank ( IDB ), through its private branch IDB Invest, and the Banco Popular Dominicano (BPD) have granted 200 million dollars (175.4 million euros) to the Piñero Group to promote the reopening of its hotels in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Expressly, the IDB has granted 120 million dollars (105 million euros) to the group, which has 27 hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico. On its side, Banco Popular has granted a loan of 80 million dollars (70 million euros) to the hotel operator.

The new liquidity will meet its working capital needs and investments in its hotel facilities, offering a financial cushion during the sector’s recovery stage. The acquisition will also support the economies of both countries, given their high dependence on tourism.

With the financing, Grupo Piñero plans to reactivate its regional portfolio in line with the return of international demand, which will also help recover the generation of foreign currency.

In addition, the reopening of the hotels will mean a reactivation of local value chains and a stimulus for the rehiring of jobs lost during the pandemic and the maintenance of current ones, and promoting the training and qualification of its employees.

Through financing from IDB Invest, Grupo Piñero will participate in a technical consultancy to analyze the impact of climate change on the group’s properties and will design a project for the restoration of mangroves and corals, as well as the protection of coastal areas.

With the transaction, IDB Invest reinforces its confidence in the recovery of sustainable tourism and its commitment to this priority sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, hoping that this transaction will catalyze additional investments in the region.

The operation is expected to contribute to four of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships to achieve the goals (SDG 17).

Dominican Republic flexes its tourism muscle in Madrid

Madrid.- The good health of Dominican tourism has been exhibited since yesterday in Madrid, Spain, on the first day of the agenda prior to the inauguration this Wednesday of the 42nd edition of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), with the participation of almost 7,000 companies and 107 countries.

The Dominican Republic, which is participating this year as a partner country in Fitur, had the best month of September, October, November and December in its history in 2021, after a progressive recovery after the closure due to the pandemic.

According to data from the Dominican Ministry of Tourism offered in the first week of 2022, only in December of last year 728,335 tourists arrived in the country, while in the last quarter of 2021 1,691,667 travelers did so.

This Monday, the Dominican Minister of Tourism, David Collado, defined the Dominican Republic as the “strongest economy in Latin America” ​​due to the “rapid recovery” that its tourism experienced, after the impact of the pandemic. Spain, on the first day of the agenda prior to the inauguration this Wednesday of the 42nd edition of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), with the participation of almost 7,000 companies and 107 countries.

The Dominican Republic, which is participating this year as a partner country in Fitur, had the best month of September, October, November and December in its history in 2021, after a progressive recovery after the closure due to the pandemic.

According to data from the Dominican Ministry of Tourism offered in the first week of 2022, only in December of last year 728,335 tourists arrived in the country, while in the last quarter of 2021 1,691,667 travelers did so.

This Monday, the Dominican Minister of Tourism, David Collado, defined the Dominican Republic as the “strongest economy in Latin America” ​​due to the “rapid recovery” that its tourism experienced, after the impact of the pandemic

Real estate giant Cap Cana resurges in the East

Madrid.- Cap Cana Ciudad Destino announced Wed. that it will be present at the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), with an important participation within the Dominican Republic stand in support of the country, which this year is a strategic partner of the event.

In a press release, the destination city said it was focused on the interest of attracting new real estate, hotel and various attractions investments in order to increase the complementary offer to what already exists in the Dominican Republic today.

The entity noted that this has been an important year since the Cap Cana destination has had a growth boom as a city, and has given way to large investments

Abinader’s tourism optimism: “Better times are yet to come”

 Highlights the value of the tourism industry for economic recovery

 Government bets on private investment in tourism

“You can be sure that the best times for the Dominican Republic, in tourism, are yet to come,” thus reaffirmed President Luis Abinader his optimism for the country’s tourism industry.

The president assured that for his government management, the empowerment, sustained growth, and consolidation of the tourism industry is a priority to which he is giving the most significant importance.

“This industry has been one of the sectors that has contributed the most to the Dominican economic recovery after the negative effects of the global coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

He reported that as of today, the country’s economy is being healthy, reaching an unprecedented growth rate in a crisis. Moreover, it has the efficient creation of jobs, representing one of its management’s great objectives.

The governor stressed that the government’s efforts are firmly oriented towards supporting the various actors involved in tourism, promoting it, and improving its facilities.

Abinader spoke when participating in the opening ceremony of the five-star hotel complex Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana by Karisma, with a private investment of US 175 million dollars. This opening will generate some 2,200 direct and indirect jobs.

The head of state was received by the leading executives of the hotel corporation, Rafael Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, and Jorge Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Dominicana.

Environment starts whale watching season 2022

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources officially began the humpback whale watching season (Megaptera Novaeangliae) 2022, with the signing of an inter-institutional agreement that will ensure the proper development of this station and will propose improvements to the management of Banco de la Plata and La Navidad, in addition to the Bay of Samaná, to safeguard human life and ensure the conservation and protection of the sanctuary and the species.

The season of observation of marine mammals, which has been baptized this year as: “A dance that perpetuates the species,” will run from this Saturday, January 15 to Thursday, March 31, for the Bay of Samaná and until Friday, April 15 for the Banco de La Plata in Puerto Plata.

Like last year, the Environment has arranged for the observation season to be carried out under a strict sanitary protocol to avoid the spread of Covid-19 and its variants.

The signing of the Marine Mammal Observation Management Agreement 2022 was signed by the Minister of the Environment, Orlando Jorge Mera; the Ministry of Tourism; The Vice-Admiral of the Navy, Ramón Gustavo Betances; the mayor of Santa Bárbara de Samaná, Nelson Antonio Núñez.

“This year with the day of visitation of the humpback whales, the Dominican Republic dresses again and we hope to have the help of Dominicans, Dominicans and tourists who can take advantage of this magnificent opportunity to see the humpback whales that come to mate here in this area,” said Orlando Jorge Mera. 

With this agreement, the Management Committee of the Marine Mammal Sanctuary Bancos de La Plata and La Navidad is formed for an observation season where sustainable management instruments are used to guarantee the physical integrity of whales and visitors.

All people who want to participate in this humpback whale watching season can do so from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon.

The sanitary measures that the Ministry of the Environment has instructed that must continue are the recurrent disinfection of all vessels. In addition to having allegorical signs to the health protocol to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Likewise, the boats must comply with the provisions of the Dominican Armed Forces regarding the capacity of people who can travel, following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health to maintain physical distancing.

Similarly, each of the captains of these ships must provide visitors with disinfectant gel, take the temperature, and ensure a mask.

Vessels operating in the observation areas must also have a communication radius, and when they are vessels smaller than 30 feet in length, all passengers must have their lifeguards on.

Another of the points established to safeguard the life of these mammalian animals is that all vessels must monitor and control compliance with the regulations set for the Observation of Marine Mammals of the Banks of La Plata and La Navidad and in the Bay of Samaná, contained in the Management Plan of the Marine Mammal Sanctuary Bancos de la Plata and La Navidad.

In this whale watching season, unnecessary engine noises, smoke, and honking are not allowed to all boats sailing inside the sanctuary.

Abinader heads official opening of Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana

 With an investment of US 175 million dollars

With the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Margaritaville inaugurated the five-star hotel complex, Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana by Karisma.

The event was chaired by the leading executives of the hotel corporation, Rafael Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Hotels & Resorts; Jorge Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Dominicana, in the company of David Collado, Minister of Tourism; and Samuel Pereyra, Administrator of Banreservas.

With an investment of US $ 175 million, Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana by Karisma is the first property already built and in operation and the second property of the Island Reserve brand, which combines the world-class all-inclusive amenities of Karisma Hotels & Resorts with the fun and joyful lifestyle characteristic of Margaritaville.

This opening generates some 2,200 jobs, between direct and indirect, contributing to the growth and dynamization of the Dominican tourism industry.

In this sense, Rafael Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, expressed that through the strategic partnership between the hotel corporation and Margaritaville Corporation, Karisma offers the Margaritaville Island Reserve experience with a collection of modern tropical luxury hotels strategically located in the main destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.

He stressed that the Dominican Republic continues to be one of the most important tourist destinations in the region, and the opening of this Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma in Cap Cana confirms the confidence that local entrepreneurs and international companies such as Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Margaritaville, we have in the country and Dominicans.

It is recalled that Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana by Karisma offers the best experience of relaxation, fun, gastronomy of the highest quality, and exceptional first-class services, including a luxury beach design in a tropical environment; the hotel complex has 519 rooms, including 40 spectacular luxury villas and the Jimmy Buffett suite, as well as six restaurants, 3 bars, a Café, the world-class St. Somewhere Spa.

It also has its brewery and entertainment center, “Entertainment Village,” located in the heart of the resort, among a variety of amenities that allow travelers to enjoy a unique and authentic vacation, inspired by the lifestyle and lyrics of the singer Jimmy Buffett.

Dominican north coast gets more flights: Boston, Miami

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic announced Wednesday that it authorized American Airlines and JetBlue to operate the new routes Miami-Samaná (northeast) and Boston-Puerto Plata (north), respectively.

The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) reported in a statement that the route granted to American will operate from March to February 2023, while JetBlue will carry out 17 flights between Boston and Puerto Plata, and Miami-Samana from this January to April 2.

Likewise, the Dominican airline Sky High Aviation Services was authorized to include in its operations the routes from Santo Domingo to the Venezuelan cities of Caracas, Valencia and Maracaibo, as well as the tourist enclave Isla Margarita.

The company will also fly to the Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe, French territory.

Karisma Hotels: «There is a lot of appetite to continue investing in the Dominican Republic»

Rafael Feliz Germán, president of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, indicated that “there is a lot of appetite to continue investing in the Dominican Republic” since the brand is planning the construction of two new properties in the country.

He explained another hotel in Cap Cana under the St. Somewhere brand (a new collection of boutique resorts). At the same time, the second project did not give details. However, he explained that between the two, which will be developed in future years, they would reach approximately 500 rooms, since they would add up to 350 of the Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana complex because “it is practically an extension to the Margaritaville project.”

In addition, he stated that the second project would have more than 150 rooms and between them would entail an investment of approximately 180 million dollars.

«The intentions to continue investing are excellent because the Dominican Republic is undoubtedly one of the most important tourist destinations in the region and that apart has been combined with the fact that it is fashionable. In addition, there has been good management of the pandemic, from day 1, abroad because a consistent policy has been applied that has created significant confidence in tourism, different from other destinations that have not had evidence in their policies,” he said.

Feliz Germán acknowledged to arecoa.com that «there is also a good workforce, the economy is doing well, and there is significant growth; the political issue is stable, I see it as very positive.

He emphasized that continuing to develop his properties in Cap Cana is considered the complete destination. After all, it is a destination city. «If all the destinations in the region are analyzed, the three main ones are Cancun, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, and when the closed projects in those three main destinations are analyzed, without a doubt, the most complete and the most versatile is Cap Cana.

“I envision significant growth within Cap Cana because it is no longer a real estate development or a hotel development, but rather a destination city,” he added before the formal opening of the Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana hotel, an activity that President Luis Abinader will lead to 10:00 am this Wednesday.

The principal manager of the chain, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, will participate in the activity, among other personalities linked to the tourism and business sector.

Santiago Monorail to be ready by the end of 2024

And “the important thing is that someone is going to inaugurate it,” says Abinader

Santo Domingo, DR
The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, informed this Wednesday of some of the works scheduled to be inaugurated during the next few years, highlighting the completion of the Santiago cable car and the construction of the monorail in Santo Domingo.

Abinader, while being interviewed on the program “Hoy Mismo,” broadcast by the Color Visión channel (channel 9), revealed that the government expects the cable car to be finished by September of next year.

Regarding the monorail, the president affirmed that work is currently being done to finish the design; the bidding process should be launched by the end of January or early February. Even so, it will be programmed to be inaugurated by the end of 2024.

“The important thing is that someone is going to inaugurate it,” said Abinader when asked by communicators about the inauguration of the work. However, this could be left out for Abinader’s constitutional mandate (2020-2024).

He also explained that for the construction of this work, they have a bidding process of 8 billion pesos.

“We have already started the cable car, the cable car will be ready in September of next year, which is a part that will be integrated to the monorail,” explained the head of state.

Santiago’s Integrated Transportation System

Last September, Abinader gave the first kick-off in constructing the Santiago cable car. This event simultaneously served as the launching of the Santiago Integrated Transportation System (SITS), which also integrates the monorail and the use of electric buses and bicycles.

As for the cable car, it was announced that it would have a capacity to move 4,500 passengers per hour and a route of 6.5 kilometers in two sections, according to what was exposed during the activity.

It is estimated that close to 122,894 people will benefit from the cable car and that it will mobilize more than 72,000 citizens every day.

Section I will be from the La Yaguita del Pastor sector to the Central Las Carreras Terminal in Pueblo Nuevo, with 3.21 kilometers and four stations.

Section II will be from Santiago’s Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) sector in La Barranquita to the Pekín neighborhood, with 3.31 kilometers and three stations.

The humpbacks are back again

Santo Domingo.- The Bay of Samaná and its surrounding waters, and in particular the Sanctuary of Marine Mammals, the  Silver and Christmas Banks, onece again become one of the most impressive spectacles of nature, with the return of humpback whales from the North Atlantic.

The dance that perpetuates the species and the different acrobatics of these marine giants from this January 15 until the end of March, when they begin to make their appearance in the warm Dominican waters, represent an attraction for thousands of visitors who come every year quote for your enjoyment.

There, in their natural habitat, where they come to reproduce and mate, the whales come to say: “We are still here, as a sign of the resilience capacity of the marine ecosystem, despite the level of pollution that you (humans) generate. now to the oceans, to the seas, change that behavior for the good of all.”

They also invite you to enjoy their jumps, their songs and see how life flourishes and remains through their calves; They cry out that the spectators do not make their surroundings unlivable by throwing debris.

Russia’s Nordwind already sells tickets for flights to Punta Cana and Puerto Plata

 Two weekly flights from Moscow to Punta Cana

Nordwind Airlines reported that tickets from Moscow to Punta Cana are now available, a route that will have a frequency of two weekly flights, both outward and return.

Likewise, the airline announced that it is already open on its website for tickets to fly from the Russian capital to the Dominican destination of Puerto Plata, in which case a weekly connection will be made.

According to information from the manufacturer, all routes will be operated with Boeing 777-200aircraft, which has 305 passengers.

It is recalled that Russia is traditionally one of the main source markets for the Dominican Republic; in 2019, it was the third, only behind the United States and Canada.

In addition, the pandemic caused that market to take on even more relevance: in September 2021, Russia was the second emitter of tourists to the DR.

Big Top of Cirque du Soleil opens today in Punta Cana

“Kooza” is the show presented at Downtown Punta Cana, with 70 performances until April 10.

Santo Domingo, DR
Cirque du Soleil will cross its limit with ‘Kooza,’ the show that kicks off this Friday, January 7, under the Big Top installed in Downtown Punta Cana, with 70 performances that can be enjoyed until April 10.

It was a few weeks ago when the “Big Top,” 20 meters high and with a diameter of 51 meters, was erected on a 17,000 square meter site in the heart of the city with the help of 70 people, locals, and foreigners who raised the more than 100 poles that hold it up.

Likewise, a team of about 150 people, of 26 nationalities, including acrobats, musicians, singers, and actors of the Quebec company, have rehearsed to the max to demonstrate their prowess under the tent that impresses from the entrance of the Veron road.

“Now more than ever, we guarantee a safe show, with the proven quality and excellence of Cirque, which we know will be enjoyed by the whole family,” said Saymon Diaz, president of the organizing company, SD Concerts, adding that the tent has a seating capacity for 2,600 people.

In that sense, he gave details about the sanitary protocol that they have tried to fully comply with the new wave of covid that the Dominican Republic is experiencing and reiterated the presence of Public Health supervisors, the need to present the vaccination card, and deployment of antibacterial gel dispensers and other supplies.

“Here the only scare will be that of the public when their heart goes up in their mouths at the impression of a staff that gives everything and that is literally risking their lives,” concluded Diaz.

+ A city on wheels

On average, the Cirque crew’s space installation for about five months takes nine days to set up and three to dismantle; for this, SD Concerts brought more than a hundred cargo vans to Punta Cana.

The “city of Kooza” also has an artistic tent with a dressing area, dressing rooms, a fully equipped gymnasium, and a physiotherapy space.

At the heart of the site is the kitchen/restaurant where their own chefs cook three meals, six days a week for 300 people, and serve as a relaxation area for the entire team.

Almost as magnificent as the show is the entrance tent where the concessions area is located, where the public can purchase all kinds of food and beverages and Kooza collectibles.

During Cirque’s stay in Punta Cana, more than 120 people were hired locally to serve as ushers, cleaners, box office, administration, and logistics.

+ About the show

Koozå is a touring Cirque production, directed by David Shiner, which premiered on April 19, 2007, in Montreal, Canada. The show, which some 7.5 million people have enjoyed, revolves around the adventures of the Innocent One and explores themes such as loneliness and the sacred by bringing together two circus traditions: acrobatic performances and the art of clowning.

The show, which features 50-floor performers, highlights the physical demands of each number, all its splendor, and fragility through a colorful mix of the most slapstick humor.

Tickets. The performances will be offered on weekends at the following times: Friday 8:00 pm; Saturday 4:00 and 8:00 pm; and Sunday 11:30 am and 3:00 pm. Ticket prices start at 2,400 pesos.

Icelandair requests to operate charter flights from Florida and Texas to the Dominican Republic

Icelandair has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for 276 charter flights from Florida and Texas to Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador in partnership with Anmart Superior Travel, a travel agency dedicated to offering package tours in the Caribbean and South America.

On September 14, 2021, Icelandair had applied to the DOT with registration DOT-OST-2020-0011-0203 to operate a weekly flight for 13 weeks between October 5 to December 28 between Orlando (MCO) – Havana (HAV) under charter mode.

In the application filed under DOT-OST-2017-0044-0874, the Icelandic airline has proposed the following series of charter flights:

From January 11, 2022, to February 1, 2022.
Orlando (MCO) – Havana, Cuba (HAV) 4 roundtrip flights.
From February 1, 2022, to May 31, 2022
Orlando (MCO) – Havana, Cuba (HAV) 17 roundtrip flights.
Houston (IAH) – Havana, Cuba (HAV) 17 roundtrip flights.
Miami (MIA) – Havana, Cuba (HAV) 136 roundtrip flights.
Miami (MIA) – Quito, Ecuador (UIO) 34 weekly flights
Miami (MIA) – Guayaquil (GYE) 34 weekly flights.
Miami (MIA) – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) 34 flights weekly.
The application is pending governmental approval. The flights could be operated between Boeing 757 and 737 MAX aircraft, according to Aviaciononline.