Rainieri: “Everyone talks about the Dominican Republic as an example in tourism”

 Sees good expectations in Latin America for investment

He expressed satisfaction with hosting the first edition of the forum outside Of Spain

 

 

The founder of the Puntacana Group, Frank Rainieri, considered that “the Dominican Republic is at its best,” valuing the Government’s efforts to recover tourism after the global pandemic and the confidence it gained in the investment climate.

He said that these effects are reflected in the fact that everyone is talking and is looking at our country as an example, thanks to the joint work done by the Government and the support of entrepreneurs.

“It is useful and important what is happening, with the country, the way the pandemic was handled, the announcement by North Americans that companies must move from Asia to Latin America is a good indication,” he said.

The visionary businessman considered that in the process that is lived, it is important that the Government understands the private sector, pointing out that sometimes “there are people who do not understand that the private sector, can not go at the low speed that the Government is going,” he said.

He warned that when the issue of the war between Russia and Ukraine is removed, more interesting things will come because of what he advocated for the end of the conflict, which will bring out new benefits and advantages that can be exploited for the country.

Rainieri spoke during the opening of the V Ibero-American Congress (CEAPI), which for the first time is held outside of Spain, and which the business group is hosting at the Punta Cana Resort and Club, and which brings together 190 presidents of companies and families of leading companies fromSpain, Portugal, Venezuela, Mexico, and Latin American countries.

The tourism entrepreneur said he is grateful to God for the opportunity to serve tourism, promote jobs, and contribute from the sector to the economy and development of the country, according to Listín Diario.

“I really feel like a server. Full of satisfaction, because when you turn thousands of people who are living decently, who have a future, who have their children, health, it does not matter that some complain, since those who don’t complain are not Dominican. But there has been a change and results in the improvement of many people and that brings satisfaction,” he said in response to his role in the sector.

Air Century will connect Santo Domingo with Colombia and Jamaica

As of August 4, it will fly to Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Kingston

Reaffirms its commitment to promoting the DR as a destination

 

 

Air Century celebrated, together with collaborators, authorities, and personalities of national life, the 30th anniversary of its foundation; in an act attended by the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, the airline announced new flights to cities in Colombia and Jamaican.

The airline announced the start of flights to Barranquilla and Cartagena in Colombia, starting on August 4. Direct services, along with Kingston, Jamaica, and seven more destinations that will soon be added to the route network, confirm Air Century’s commitment to promoting the Dominican Republic as a destination and strengthening the country’s connectivity with the Caribbean.

During his speech, the founder and CEO of the airline, Omar Chahin Lama, spoke about the company’s beginnings and thanked all the people who have been an important part of its history.

“It is an honor for me to be the captain of this ship that reaches its 30 years of uninterrupted trajectory. A dream that began more than fifty years ago, when I saw some remote-controlled planes fly over me on the school playground, giving wings to the imaginary adventures of that child, who, in 1992, would start this journey that today celebrates its first 30 years with great dedication, passion, dedication and tenacity,” he said.

“I am proud to say that in this 30-year history, our company has managed to demonstrate, not only in plans, but in fact, its ability to materialize as many projects as it has proposed, backed by national and foreign accreditations, such as those granted by the aeronautical and transportation authorities of the United States of America, Mexico, the European Union, the Caribbean islands, among others, having managed to achieve successful operations both on-demand and on a regular basis, which, thanks to the aforementioned certificates , we can replicate on a full scale to any destination in the world,” said Omar Chahin,

In addition to the honorable vice president, the event, held in the Garden Tent of the Hotel El Embajador, was attended by representatives of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), the Specialized Corps in Airport Security and Civil Aviation. (Cesac), among others.

Likewise, airline executives, family members, frequent customers, collaborators, travel agencies, special guests, and press members attended.

Tourism breaks record again in May with visitor arrivals

Almost 3 million visited the country in five months, and 561,323 in May.

 

Dominican tourism continues to strengthen its recovery process and reaches record figures with the arrival of almost three million visitors in the first five months of the year.

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced this Wednesday that the arrival barrier was broken again with the visit of 561,323 tourists in May.

“That means that we registered a growth of 11 percent above May 2018, six more than in 2019, and we exceeded May last year with 44%,” said the official in his traditional monthly press conference where he disclosed the behavior results of the sector.

He stated that the recovery and growth of tourism are such that the country received the arrival of 6,459,738 non-resident visitors in the last twelve months.

In May, he reported that the historic arrival of 561,323 non-residents was reached.

“Of that arrival in the month of May, 453,371 were foreigners, which represents two percent more than in 2019 and four percent more than the same month in 2018,” Minister Collado reported.

The month of May also registered a growth in the arrival of cruise passengers, reaching the figure of 82,199, three percent more than the same month of 2019.

Detail of the arrival of tourists

71% of non-residents come from North America and the Caribbean, and 16% from Europe.

62% of the month’s visitors were 18 and 49 years old. Seen by segment, 27% of foreign tourists were adventurers, 29% were adults, 27% were families, and 17% were seniors. Six out of 10 tourists stayed in hotels.

With average stays of 9 nights, the estimated foreign exchange generation derived from tourist spending amounts to US $640 million.

60% of the influx of visitors this month entered through the Punta Cana airport, 24% through Las Américas, 13% from Santiago, 2% through Puerto Plata, and 1% through the airports of La Romana and Samaná.

Air space

Preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Tourism suggest that the total incoming commercial flights to the Dominican Republic in May 2022 was 4,675 flights, with an occupancy of 80% on more than 200 routes, which connected us with 128 cities through 125 different airlines.

In May 2022, the occupancy rate of hotel rooms rose 68%, representing an improvement of 19 percentage points compared to May 2021.

The guests were 86% of foreign origin. There was an improvement in occupancy in most tourist areas compared to 2021, highlighting the areas of Bayahibe – La Romana and Bávaro – Punta Cana, where both areas had gains of more than 20 percentage points compared to 2021.

Other areas such as Greater Santo Domingo and Santiago had growth of less than ten percentage points. The Romana – Bayahibe area had the highest occupancy growth, with 83% occupancy in 2022 and 55% in 2021.

Sea ​​arrivals

Considering the crew and cabotage, the arrivals by sea to the Dominican Republic in May 2022 were 82,199 passengers in 32 operations through 19 cruises (from 10 different cruise lines) and 13 ferries. Maritime operations were distributed in Amber Cove (31%), Taíno Bay (25%), La Romana (3%), and the rest in Santo Domingo (40%).

2022 estimates

Reservations to travel to the Dominican Republic during the summer are 13.5% higher than those made in the same period in 2019. Likewise, reservations for the end of the year are 57.5% higher than reservations made in the same period in the year 2019.

During the full year 2022, the arrival of more than 7 million non-residents is expected, the highest value of a year in the history of Dominican tourism.

Dominican companies to build biggest power plant for US$1.7B

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Government announced the winners of the tender for a natural gas power plant to be built in Manzanillo, province of Montecristi (northwest), which will cost some US$1.7 billion.

During a press conference held in the National Palace, the Haina Investment Corporation was appointed for the construction of block 1 of the work, which consists of one of the 400-megawatt natural gas-fired plants and the terminal of natural gas.

That would be the second facility of this nature in the country, and the first in the north.

Block two, which has the second 400-megawatt natural gas plant, was assigned to the Manzanillo Energy consortium.

Dominican Republic prefers a come-all Summit

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader favors that the countries that have not been invited by the United States to the Summit of the Americas, because they have regimes considered non-democratic, can participate.

The president said that he respects the position of the United States, but noted that in the current context of openness and a global crisis, given the desire of other countries to attend the conclave to talk about what unites them and put aside what disunites, he would be happier to be present if they participate.

“We would also be more than happy to attend,” said the president. The US has said that Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua will not be invited.

Government will tender Ámbar highway and a cruise port in Samaná

Next June, the Government will launch the tenders for the construction of the Ámbar highway and the Arroyo Barril cruise port, both working for the Cibao region.

The director of Public-Private Partnerships ( DGAPP ) offered the information, Sigmund Freund, who explained that in the case of the tender for the Ámbar highway, they have already identified a modality to avoid falling into a shadow toll.

“In June we will be launching two very important tenders for the country, the first for the Ámbar highway, which is the highway that connects Santiago and Puerto Plata, for which we have finally managed to identify a modality in which it can be developed avoiding falling into what it is a shadow toll, in a subsidy from the State, that is what we have been working on in recent months,” he said.

The official indicated that the objective is “to be able to come out with a financially viable project, credible and that society supports it.”

When announcing the construction of the Ámbar highway in his inaugural speech, President Luis Abinader stated that the work would allow reaching from Santiago to Puerto Plata in just 25 minutes and from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata in two hours.

According to Diario Libre, the president explained that the road represents the relaunch of tourism on the north coast of the country.

Regarding the cruise port of Arroyo Barril, Samaná, Freund said that the area is being sought to create an entertainment zone for visitors.

“At the end of June we will be launching the tender for Arroyo Barril, which is a port in the Samaná area, for which we will be hoping for a port operator to come who can rehabilitate the area and build an entire entertainment area, of entertainment, restaurants, commercial spaces in the place,” he said.

The official explained that when the ports of Arroyo Barril and Cabo Rojo, Pedernales, are built, the Dominican Republic will have five cruise ports.

“With Arroyo Barril we will already be creating the second cruise port in the northern region, after Puerto Plata, and with the entry of Cabo Rojo, La Romana and Santo Domingo there would be five cruise ports to achieve the objective that the president Abinader has launched that it is the next cruise hub in the Caribbean area,” he added.

Avianca to open more flights from Colombia and other destinations to the Dominican Republic

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, held a meeting with Daniel Fajardo, vice president of Avianca’s Route Network, as part of his visit to Colombia, where he confirmed the participation of the Dominican Republic in the Anato fair, to be held from February 22 to 24, 2023.

“We held an important meeting with Daniel Fajardo, vice president of Avianca’s Route Network, who guaranteed us the opening of more routes from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, and from other Latin American countries to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo,” Collado indicated on his social networks.

He explained that Colombia became the third country of origin of tourists to the Dominican Republic in May.

The minister explained that he also held important meetings with Colombian tourism representatives, such as the tour operator Expertravellers, Wingo airline, Swa, and Maxitravel.

In addition, the head of Mitur announced an alliance with Lombana Ximena, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia.

The strategy that the country used to bring tourists in 2021

President Abinader assures that 0.7% of tourists who visited the country used the “Covid insurance” and analyzed strategies used combined with an effort to take care of health.

Davos, Switzerland

President Luis Abinader affirmed yesterday that 0.7% of the tourists who visited the country used the RD Safe Tourism Assistance Plan, with free health coverage for visitors who have been infected with Covid-19.

The president stated this during his speech at the World Economic Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland. He also explained the exhausting process of developing this system and other measures to promote tourism during the pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

“A successful strategy for the recovery of tourism, combined with a consistent effort to care for the health of the people, is the key to the recovery ofthe economy in the Dominican Republic and is the reason why the international organizations that deal with the tourism, health and the economy that present us as a country that has been successful in facing the crisis caused by the pandemic,” Abinader said when participating in the panel “Rethinking and revitalizing travel and tourism.”

“We started doing focus groups and surveys in the United States and Canada . Canada was under full lockdown, the US was starting to open up, and from those focus groups we learned that people who had been cooped up at home for many months wanted to get out, and when you show them pictures of the ocean, beach and sun, they say ‘I want to go there'”, he stated.

However, the president revealed that other data from these investigations showed that many foreigners feared getting sick with the virus in a foreign country. So, after brainstorming, they decided on an assistance plan to generate confidence in potential tourists.

He also admitted that, even though this free insurance represented a great expense for the Government, the cost would be even higher if tourism did not recover, a sector that, according to the head of state, generates 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). ) from the country.

“Yes, it was a cost, but it was more expensive if they (tourists) didn’t come, that was the analysis we did… but I’ll tell you something, do you know how many used it? 0.7%,” highlighted Abinader, whose intervention provoked a series of questions and interventions.

About Covid insurance

The RD Safe Tourism Plan began in mid-September 2020. It consisted of the supply of medications, assistance with hospitalization, emergency medical transportation, hotel expenses for hospitalization, flight changes due to medical emergencies, and legal aid.

Likewise, the authorities affirmed that this program impacted more than 400,000 tourists before its end in July of last year.

Abinader explained that he assumed the presidency in August 2020 with the economy and tourism paralyzed, contributing more than 20% of the Gross Domestic Product and around 20% of employment.

Participants in Economic Forum
Panelists

The panelists who accompanied President Abinader were Keir Simmons, a correspondent for NBC News; Antonio Capuano, executive director of Marriott International; Haifa Bint Mohammed Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia; S. Iswaran, Singapore Transport Minister and Ruzwana Bashir, Peek.com.

Policies and actions

The Economic Forum is held annually, and the participants present policies and actions to revitalize this sector.

Dominican Republic improves travel and tourism rating

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic improved its travel and business rating in 2021, compared to 2019, its rating in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), of the World Economic Forum.

It has advanced in key indicators such a business environment, priority for tourism, health, international openness, competitiveness and security, accumulating a general score of 3.8 out of 7, to move from position 72 to 69 in a list of 117 countries.

In the business environment indicator, the Dominican Republic rose from position 75 with 3.6 points, to position 63 with 3.8 points; in safety it fell from position 99 with 4.3 points to 84 with 4.9; and in competitiveness it fell 4 places (from 91 to 87) and increased its score from 4.3 to 4.5.

In international opening, the country improved 5 points going from position 59 to 54 and from 3.8 to 3.9 in a score where the maximum to win is 7.

Abinader talks tourism at Davos

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader arrived in Davos this Monday morning where he participated in the World Economic Forum being held in that Swiss city.

The president in a speech at the Forum discussed the Government’s actions to rethink and revitalize travel and tourism.

Along with President Abinader, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez also participated; the Executive Director of the National Competitiveness Council, Peter Prazmowski and the country’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), José Sánchez.

Cap Cana is the largest luxury hotel destination in the Caribbean

Cap Cana registers a continuous growth as a luxury hotel destination in the Dominican Republic.

This was the opinion of tourism and construction businessman Fernando Hazoury, president of the Board of Directors of Cap Cana, regarding the recent announcement by Playa Hotels & Resorts of the entry of one of the most important international hotel groups, Marriott, to Sanctuary Cap Cana, with its brand The Luxury Collection.

The Luxury Collection is one of Marriott’s leading luxury brands, which comprises a collection of the world’s most iconic hotels that genuinely define their destinations.

He highlighted that since 2016 Cap Cana has given an opening to the development and growth of luxury hotels in the country since the first hotel of the AM Resorts chain, Secrets at Cap Cana was inaugurated until today, where high quality and all-inclusive proposals continue to be incorporated.

He pointed out that the North American market has a strong presence in this destination city, as is the case of the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, Margaritaville, and St. Regis hotels under construction, as well as the first Sports Illustrated Resort hotel in the world that will arrive in Cap Cana in the fall, which comes to complement with this great news the hotel offer of the city that also has the luxury boutique hotel Eden Roc Cap Cana, the only Relais & Chateaux in the country.

“This shows that Cap Cana, 20 years after being founded, has consolidated itself as the luxury hotel destination and as a country brand, contributing one more grain of sand to the solidification of the Dominican Republic’s leadership in the Caribbean,” said.

Confirmed: Aerolineas Argentinas will connect Punta Cana with Havana

It will use its Boeing 737 MAX 8 for this connection

They trust Link will complement their flights to Punta Cana

 

As arecoa.com had anticipated, Aerolineas Argentinas will return to Cuba with a stopover in Punta Cana (PUJ), starting next Monday, July 4, and will do so with its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a capacity for 170 passengers, as confirmed by this digital.

This newsroom had access to the airline’s final flight schedule, where it is confirmed that in addition to Mondays, the company will also operate on Thursdays and Fridays, these days it also offers links that allow travelers to return from Havana to the main tourist hub of Dominican Republic.

The new offer to the Caribbean is added to the current direct service between Punta Cana and Buenos Aires on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, an operation that Aerolineas Argentinas carries out through the Ezeiza International Airport  (EZE).

Regarding his return to Cuba, the CEO of Aerolineas Argentinas, Pablo Ceriani, had already indicated that “We have previous experience of having operated there, it is a flight highly requested by tour operators and travel agencies as there is a latent demand and we believe that It will complement the flight to Punta Cana very well. In addition, it is always great news to recover the destinations that were abandoned.”

Below is the program of the flights to Cuba of Aerolineas Argentinas.

Air traffic resumes at Puerto Plata airport

Air operations at the General Gregorio Luperón International Airport, located in the province of Puerto Plata, were resumed this Friday after ten days suspended due to runway maintenance.

The spokesman for Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), concessionaire of the administration of that terminal and five other airports, Luis José López, reported that air operations were resumed with the arrival of the first Jet Blue flight from New York.

The reception ceremony for the first flight was headed by the General Director of Aerodom, Dr. Monika Infante, and the company’s General Manager for the North Zone, Mr. Carlos Rodoli Conde, who said that the work concluded with the projected success.

They explained that the work to refurbish the runway had been planned for several months as part of the commitment that Aerodom has with the Dominican State to maintain the air terminals it manages in optimal conditions.

“As we had announced, that on May 20, air operations at the Gregorio Luperón airport would return to normal once the runway refurbishment work was completed,” said Mónika Infante and Carlos Rodoli.

They said that with the reconditioning, they seek to extend its useful life and offer better conditions for landing aircraft arriving from various places abroad and domestic flights.

“From today, May 20, we will keep the national and international flight schedules intact,” they said.

The reopening of national and international flights through the Gregorio Luperón Airport was also attended by the central government and municipal authorities of Puerto Plata.

The Dominican Republic’s excellent moment in tourism

Tourism is filling the Dominican Republic with good news in 2022. The success of the country’s participation in FITUR, the prominent role played in the main world cruise congress held in Miami at the end of April, and the recent recognition granted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and received by President Luis Abinader and Minister David Collado in Santo Domingo are milestones that boost the Dominican destination as the place we look to for a vacation.

Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that, in the first four months of 2022, 2.2 million tourists have arrived in the country by air and almost 320,000 on cruise ships. Taking into account the Omicron times in which we have lived most of that time and the restrictions that this has brought with it, as well as the negative effect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries being of importance for the sector in the country, the figure could be valued as very positive. If this rhythm continues, and without new difficulties affecting it, one could think of 2022 in which the barrier of 5 million tourists would be surpassed again, this time by far, and, in that way, follow the path towards the record figure of almost 6.5 million that was received in 2019.

Another aspect linked to the sector is investment. Since the reopening of the economy began in the summer of 2020, the government of the Dominican Republic was clear that the recovery should be accompanied by growth in housing availability. According to data offered by Asonahores at the end of last year, in 2021, there were new investments in the sector for more than US$550 million. A year earlier, in the middle of the pandemic, they were even almost double, according to what was stated in a Bloomberg article that I was able to read a little less than two months ago. In the same article, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, was mentioned to indicate that the plan is to achieve US$8 billion more in investments in the sector over the next three years. Undoubtedly, the efforts being made in the Miches area, but above all, the grand plan for Pedernales of the current government, successfully presented in the framework of FITUR in January, should be a key piece for these pretensions be fulfilled.

There is no doubt that the sector’s recovery as an engine of the national economy continues its upward trend, largely due to the country’s efforts to position itself in its issuing markets. First, it was necessary to tell them that the Dominican Republic is a safe place to vacation, and this has been done. It was necessary to show that the sector is consolidated and has more potential to grow, proving to be so. Finally, we had to sit down with the airlines to enable more routes and more flights, and connections were increased: 48 new routes, according to the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) reports.

And that is something that we must not only continue to do but multiply, both attract more tourists and generate those investments that allow the intentions of Minister Collado to be fulfilled. Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samana, and Las Terrenas… are destinations that are already working almost at total capacity. Sun and beach continue to be the asset that drives this very dynamic and hopeful moment that Dominican tourism is experiencing. But the pandemic has also served to put head to the need to work on plans to promote a real diversity so that the “it has it all” of the brand is completed with “I enjoyed it all”: the mountain sports and agrotourism in Constanza and Jarabacoa, the smell of cocoa from the farms of San Francisco, the art and culture of Santiago de los Caballeros, capital of a Cibao from which are exported, my Dominican friends tell me, the best cigars in the world, the hiking of spectacular natural landscapes of the national parks and, of course, the history of the Primada de America: the Colonial City. In addition to the merengue and bachata of a country that has also become, over the years, the gastronomic capital of the region by investing time and money in its culinary offerings.

The promotion must continue, and the diversity of the offer must grow. Above all, to attract new tourists, new investments, and more spending in each destination visited. Visibility continues to be a strong point of promotion. Suppose we add a good investment in strategy and tactics to increase the convertibility of those interested in coming but remain in a simple “seen,” without buying their air ticket. In that case, the almost 8.5% that tourism contributes to the national GDP according to the Central Bank -in the Bloomberg article, I read that the Ministry estimates that the real impact is around 30% for the ancillary services in which it has an impact- will grow and, with it, also the economy of the country in Latin America and the Caribbean that had one of the five best performances in 2021, with a growth of 12.3%. The Dominican Republic is going through an excellent moment in tourism, and the pace cannot and should not stop.

First Dominican airline with a WhatsApp sales channel

The RED Air company is the first Dominican airline to launch a sales channel through WhatsApp. The digital commerce platform Vtech will be in charge of offering this service to channel reservations, purchase tickets, and general information queries.

The platform quickly solves the most complex B2C and B2B scenarios and combines commerce, marketplace, and who in one place, responding to customers’ needs with a connected ecosystem.

“More and more customers are making their inquiries and purchases and channeling their reservations through digital channels. We are looking for this platform to facilitate this process and simplify it,” explains Astrid Pérez, Commercial Manager of RED Air.

The number enabled for this service is +1 (829) 213-1979; in the introduction phase, this channel will be available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, both in the United States and in the Dominican Republic.

“We seek to break down digital and physical barriers to offer seamless omnichannel experiences that help our potential customers want to meet us.”

The Dominican airline RED Air has two daily flights between Santo Domingo and Miami. With the company’s commercial expansion on July 15, it will increase one additional flight to Miami. It will come soon. In addition, incorporate regular short-haul flights to Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama.

About RED Air

Dominican commercial aviation company with private capital, established in 2010, offers commercial and charter flight services, committed to quality standards, safety, and process efficiency with an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which recognizes it internationally as a regular airline. Both by ICAO, IATA, and other multilateral organizations in the air transport sector.

With a vocation for service, it seeks to satisfy the requirements of its clients and contribute to the development of the airline industry and the Dominican economy, aligned with the central government’s policies for the sustainable development of core sectors such as air transport and tourism.

Public Works works to restore El Cangrejo bridge in Puerto Plata

The Ministry of Public Works reported this Friday that its brigades are working hard to ensure that by next week the passage of light vehicles over the Cangrejo bridge in Puerto Plata will be provisionally restored after one of its bridge support beams was broken.

The Deputy Minister of Supervision and Control, Roberto Herrer, explained that this bridge has already fulfilled its useful life because it is more than 50 years old.

Herrera also reported that by order of Minister Deligne Ascención, studies and designs are being worked on to construct a new structure. Still, while this is happening, the MOPC is working on finding a temporary solution to facilitate vehicular traffic there.

“The Cangrejo bridge is “fundamental” since it connects the entire route between Puerto Plata, Montellano, Gregorio Luperón airport, Sosúa, among other towns on the north coast, which is why we are enabling an alternate route through the Los Pérez sector that connects Montellano and Sosúa and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, work is being done on expanding a speed bump on the road that has been arranged to divert vehicles to facilitate more fluid and faster traffic so that users are not affected.

He said that the MOPC aspires to be able to go through this alternate route next Tuesday, not as smoothly as desired, but it is the most expeditious solution at the moment.

It is recalled that the El Cangrejos bridge suspended traffic due to a displacement of a support beam that allowed a column to break, which represents a danger for those who travel along that road.

Since the weakening of the structure, teams from the Ministry of Public Works have been working to prepare the road while a solution to the bridge’s situation is sought.

Sky Cana to link Puerto Plata with Miami, Cuba and Puerto Rico

It will use its aircraft named “Go Puerto Plata,” an A320 Neo

Aerodom shows satisfaction with finalizing new flights

 

Sky Cana will honor the aircraft named ” Go, Puerto Plata, “an A320 Neo, by converting the Gregorio Luperón airport into a base airport after the remodeling in which it is located.

The information was made known to arecoa.com  by the CEO of the airline Frank Diaz, who also said that they would bring inspectors from Malta and Lithuania to certify the operations and convert the terminal into the base of Sky Cana.

He stated that they would be carrying out one or two daily frequencies with an average of 440 passengers per day.

He explained that “the intentions with Puerto Plata are more than a flight; is to move a part of our operations that originate in Miami. So it would be Miami-Puerto Plata, and they continue towards the Cuban destinations of Santiago, Camagüey, and Santa Clara.

Diaz explained that the airline plans to operate flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico-Puerto Plata.

“Currently, operations have not moved because the Gregorio Luperón airport is undergoing renovations and when the runway is ready, the processes and certifications to convert it into a base airport for us will begin,” he emphasized. 

Regarding the subject, the general director of Clúster Norte airports,  Carlos Rodoli, explained their interest in bringing Sky Cana’s operations to Puerto Plata because of what it means for the destination. Therefore, when it has already materialized, they are enthusiastic about the start of operations of the airline on June 1st.

“Finally, they could start operating, since it would be in May, but they decided to move it to June 1st, 2022 so as not to have to stop due to the issue of closing the runway due to remodeling,” he said.

He stated that “it is good news for the destination despite the fact that there are many connecting or transit flights, but there are many passengers who can stay in Puerto Plata.”

Rodoli indicated that from the company, headed by Frank Diaz, they are people who bet on destiny, so there is very good intention and very good vibes with the operation.

In addition, he said that the airline is planning other destinations that are not served from Puerto Plata.

The Dominican Republic will not charge Itbis for purchases by foreign tourists in the country

Applies to purchases of products over US$100

The initiative strengthens the competitiveness of the DR as a tourist destination.

 

 

The Senate of the Republic approved in the first reading last Tuesday, May 17, the bill on the refund of the Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services ( Itbis ) to foreign tourists, proposed by the senator for the province of El Seibo and vice president of the Senate, Santiago José Zorrilla.

The bill provides for the return of the Itbis to non-resident tourists in the country who make purchases of domestic or imported goods and establishes sanctions for those who falsify information to benefit from the regulations.

Likewise, it clarifies that the Itbis will be returned to tourists who make purchases of nationally produced or imported goods greater than 100 dollars.

For the approval of the initiative, in its study work, the Senate’s Permanent Commission on Finance listened to officials’ opinions from the Ministry of Finance and the General Directorate of Internal Taxes ( DGII ) on the bill.

Expedia: demand for travel to the Dominican Republic increases by 40%

Freddy Domínguez, Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean at Expedia Group, revealed that search demand for the region has increased across the board and shows a rebound in the market for the second quarter of the year.

During the first three months of 2022, searches for travel to the Dominican Republic grew 40% compared to the previous year for stays in the summer, with almost all the demand coming from international travelers, according to data from Expedia Group. Meanwhile, the year-on-year comparison of Caribbean searches shows a rebound in the second quarter with +150% growth in Punta Cana (+150%), followed by Cancun with +45%.

The United States continues to be the primary market (80%) seeking to travel to the Caribbean nation. At the same time, there is an increasing demand from other countries, especially Canada, due to the reduction in travel restrictions. The majority of these travelers (90%) are looking for 4-5 star accommodation, the same trend observed in 2021. In general, the average stay remains at seven nights.

During the presentation, Domínguez pointed out that today, people value travel and personal time more than ever, while flexible travel is considered the highest priority. Expedia Group’s Traveler Value Index study, conducted in November 2021 among 5,500 adults in eight countries, also showed that travelers focus on “wellness travel.”

Among the critical data of the investigation, it stands out that:

  • The majority of people (81%) will frequently travel in the next six months. Short trips gain popularity (78%).

  • 56% of those surveyed who usually work remotely will take a bleisure trip; that is, they will extend a work trip for leisure or vice versa.

  • More than half (54%) of the participants will spend more on travel than before the pandemic.

  • With 40% of travelers using loyalty points accumulated during the pandemic to help fund such trips, great deals and flexibility will continue to be top priorities.

“The impact on the industry that the pandemic has caused stops here. Expedia Group has emerged into this new world with new ways to address our industry’s most common challenges with data and technology that help our partners drive growth and efficiency,” said Dominguez.

“Meeting with travel partners in the Caribbean is key to driving our tourism recovery. We are thrilled to provide insights, inspiration and celebration at DATE 2022 and solidify our commitment to this important region,” he added.

The senior executive noted that travel companies must constantly adapt and renew themselves to remain competitive. In addition, partners must differentiate themselves from the competition in the new recovery environment and earn travelers’ loyalty. Also, he recommended making sure travelers can get a refund or credit if plans change, as flexibility remains a top priority for travelers. Likewise, offering various options and prices, introducing new offers for short trips, and integrating loyalty programs is relevant.

By sharing data and market insights with its trading partners in this critical Caribbean market, Expedia Group strengthens its support for the Dominican tourism industry by using data-driven technology to make its travel partners more effective, efficient, and resilient.

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