Mitur will inject RD$250 million to the tourist promotion of Santiago

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the entity would allocate 250 million pesos to strengthen and promote the tourist attractions of the First Santiago of America in international scenarios.

He informed that the next year 2023, he will present Santiago de los Caballeros as a tourist destination when the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) attends the ANATO fair in Bogota, which will be dedicated to the Dominican Republic and will be held from February 22 to 24.

According to the information provided, of the 250 million pesos, 10 million will be destined to design the Santiago City Brand requested by the Tourism Cluster. At the same time, 40 million will be dedicated to the promotion and support of the cultural activities that take place in the Historical Center, which are carried out by the entities that have to do with the organization of these types of events, support for the carnival, the Son de Keka that takes place in the crowded sector of Los Pepines, among others.

The remaining 200 million will be used to renovate areas in the Historic Center of the city, which the Tourism Cluster will indicate as necessary and important.

The Minister of Tourism announced that following Monday, December 5, he would return to Santiago to sign a work and inter-institutional collaboration agreement with the Clúster Santiago Destino Turístico.

The information was made during a working meeting with the Clúster Santiago Destino Turístico, directed by the communicators Ramón Paulino and Yomaris Gómez, which took place at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante Hotel & Casino.

The minister was accompanied by his primary team, the vice-minister of destination management Patricia Mejía; vice-minister of promotion, Tammy Reynoso; Rosanna Camarena director of international offices and Enrique Pensó director of marketing.

In addition, during the activity, Ramón Paulino made a complete presentation of all the tourist attractions of the city of Santiago, among them the Centro León, the Santiago Apostle Cathedral, the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, the route of the murals, the City Tour Santiago, the museums and buildings, as well as the projections for the immediate future with the construction of road works by the Central Government, as well as the investment of the private sector with the construction of new hotels, restaurants and highlighting Santiago as a destination of excellent health services for nationals and foreigners.

In addition to Paulino, the meeting was attended by Germán Ulises Polanco, president of the Santiago Hotel Association, Saúl Abreu of the Association for the Development of Santiago (APEDI), Teófilo Gómez, general manager of the Cibao International Airport, Ángel Hernández of Hodelpa Hotels and Amalia Moscoso, of the Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago.

Meet the 3 cruise ships that have brought the most passengers to the Dominican Republic in 2022

The Dominican Republic is an attractive destination for cruise tourism since, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), 807,489 cruise passengers disembarked in the DR in the first nine months of the year (the figure includes cabotage, i.e., passengers going from one Dominican port to another). The port of Amber Cove, in Puerto Plata, welcomed 54.3% of them.

Passengers of 188 nationalities, with 54% women and 28.7% between the ages of 57 and 75, arrived on 159 vessels (475 port calls).

The figures pertain to cruise ships of various companies, sizes, and status, and according to Revista Mercado, the three that brought the most passengers to the DR between January and September are:

Carnival Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras brought over 125,000 cruise passengers of 121 nationalities, all embarked at Port Canaveral (Florida) and disembarked at Amber Cove.

More than 15% of the cruise passengers who have disembarked in the Dominican Republic have done so on the back of the Mardi Gras. Weighing 180,000 tons, 42 meters wide, and 344 meters long, this imposing cruise ship can accommodate 5,282 passengers with a crew of 1,745. It has 13 decks and reaches a speed of 23 knots.

Carnival Horizon

The cruise ship has brought nearly 112,000 passengers to the DR in the first three quarters of 2022, linking the port of Miami with Amber Cove (61,949 passengers) and La Romana (49,942). With a capacity for 3,960 passengers and almost 1,500 crew members, Horizon weighs more than 133,000 tons and dimensions 324 meters long and 37 meters wide. She has 15 decks and 1,987 cabins, and her sailing speed is 18 knots.

MSC Seashore

With 170,000 tons, 339 meters long and 41 meters wide, the MSC Seashore joined Miami and Taino Bay, Puerto Plata, to transport 52,709 people between January and September. A capital ship with 20 decks, 2,270 cabins, and a capacity for 5,877 passengers and 1,648 crew members.

A US ship that offers medical care is in the country

As part of the hospital ship USNS Comfort’s visit to the country, American and Dominican doctors collaborate to provide free medical care to vulnerable people. General medicine, pediatrics, optometry, and dentistry services will be available at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s Volleyball Pavilion until December 5, and at the Azua Sports Center from November 28 to December 4, on board the ship US Navy Hospital USNS Comfort surgeries will be performed on patients previously selected by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service. 

On behalf of the US Embassy, Acting Minister Counselor Alexander Titolo explained that they will provide training opportunities and expert exchanges on a variety of topics such as humanitarian assistance, disaster response, public health, food safety, and veterinary care, as well as exchanges with Dominican military personnel and professionals from various veterinary specialties; concerts; emergency drills; gender violence prevention workshops; and sports activities. Daniel Rivera, Minister of Public Health, stated that the ship has 1,000 beds, an operating room, and critical care to provide medical services to the people of the National District and Azua.

Similarly, General Laura J. Richardson, commander of the United States Southern Command, stated that this is the seventh mission that the USNS COMFORT has carried out in the Caribbean region as part of its collective vision of mutual prosperity and shared values, ensuring security.

Air Century extends flights to Havana and Miami from SD and PC

The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) announced that the request for the extension of the Special Permit to the national airline Air Century in the Santo Domingo/Havana, SD/Santiago de Cuba, and Punta Cana/Miami connections had been received and approved until June 30, 2023. Flights between Santo Domingo and Havana will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays; flights between Santo Domingo and Santiago will take place twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays; and flights between Santo Domingo and Miami will take place four times a week, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

While the Punta Cana/Miami connection will have four flights per week (Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Air Century will operate the routes on Airbus 321 aircraft with a capacity of 220 passengers, flying 462 round-trip flights between November 27, 2022, and June 30, 2023. This operator transported a total of 37,343 passengers in 2,232 inbound and outbound air operations between January and October 2022. Similarly, the request for an amendment to Frontier Airlines’ Operation Permit to include the Atlanta/Santo Domingo/Atlanta route was made public.

Frontier mobilized 660,506 passengers in 4,695 input and output operations between January 2021 and October 2022, according to data provided by the JAC Air Transportation Department. The operator’s flights will begin on May 21, 2023, in Airbus A320 Neo (32N) type aircraft with a capacity of 186 seats, with a frequency of two operations per week on Mondays and Fridays, with a total capacity of 10,237 passengers mobilized between May and December of next year. In this regard, JAC President José Marte Piantini stated that the route will provide a low-cost option without stops, allowing Dominicans to travel between Atlanta and Santo Domingo at lower costs.

“This is evidence of progress in integrating new commercial routes into the country’s air transportation,” he said. Finally, the plenary heard Copa Airlines and Turkish Airlines’ request for approval of operations under the Shared Code modality. Copa will be the effective operator on the Panama/Santo Domingo/Panama and Panama/Punta Cana/Panama routes under the agreement, while Turkish will be the market operator.

Christmas Themes parks in Dominican Republic

With the opening of two theme parks from December 1 to January 6, 2023, Santo Domingo and Santiago will have a space for family fun and recreation during the Christmas holidays. The parks will be installed under the name “Villa Navidad” in the Olympic Center’s Palacio de Los Deportes gardens and another in the Santiago monument, with which the time lights will be turned on.

This was announced yesterday by the Presidency’s Administrative Minister, José Ignacio Paliza; the general administrator of the Banco de Reservas, Samuel Pereyra; and the mayor, Carolina Mejia, who stated that on December 1, at 7:00 p.m., President Luis Abinader and Vice President Santiago will inaugurate the park in the capital. In addition to the Christmas lights, there will be presentations and artistic shows, typical Christmas characters such as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, elves, puppets, snow tunnels, and other attractions for the enjoyment of families, particularly the youngest members of the household. It will be from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

According to the Presidency’s Administrative Minister, José Ignacio Paliza, it is a public-private partnership effort with funds provided by the Government and private companies, with the security of place so that families can enjoy without worrying about elements of insecurity. He stated that to gain access to these free spaces, it will be necessary to follow regulations such as not carrying firearms and not carrying devices that could be used inappropriately.

The Head of the US Southern Command met with the Minister of Defense of the DR

Laura Jane Richardson, the commander of the United States Navy’s Southern Command, met with the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, on Tuesday morning, though the nature of the agreement was not disclosed. Richardson is in Dominican territory as part of a humanitarian mission carried out by the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship as part of the Mission “Continuing Promise 2022,” in which she will provide health services until December 5 of next year.

On Tuesday, the military also attended a health fair at the Mauricio Báez Foundation. She is scheduled to attend a graduation at the Battle of the Races Military Academy at 3:00 p.m. During the day, she will also visit the Comfort Mission’s health centers, and on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., she will attend the inauguration of the Comfort Hospital Ship’s visit to the naval club for officers in San Sousi.

Laura Richardson is scheduled to leave the Dominican Republic on Thursday, but no further details have been released. It should be noted that the appointment of the head of the Southern Command comes at a time when the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic has been strained by many factors, including a ban on Dominican sugar, criticism of the Dominican Republic’s deportation of undocumented Haitians, and an accusation of racism leveled against the country by the American embassy.

Aerodom asks passengers to arrive at airports 3 hours in advance

Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) recommends that users who intend to travel to the Dominican Republic during December arrive at the airport terminals at least 3 hours in advance, due to unprecedented traffic in Dominican aviation history. Aerodom’s Director of Corporate Communication, Luis José López, provided the information while pointing out that the company established new facilities for people traveling through the Las Américas International Airport (AILA) and other terminals on Christmas Eve in April of this year.

In an interview with CDN in Despierta, the business executive stated that they have seen an extraordinary recovery in the number of travelers, exceeding the number of people who entered the country in 2019, “which had been the record year for the company” throughout its history.

López stated that he expects over 600,000 passengers to pass through the Las Américas International Airport in December, which is why they have already reinforced all processes with the assistance of the government entities that operate at the airport.

Inverotel to add US$1 billion to its investments in the Dominican Republic by 2023

Encarna Piñero, president of the Association of Spanish Investors in Caribbean Tourism (Inverotel), reiterated the vision and commitment of the companies that make up the entity to the Dominican Republic, as she announced an addition of around US$1 billion to the investments they make in the country.

“We are adding more investment in the form of innovation, sustainability and, above all, in our people, in our human capital, and in the communities around us,” she added.

Piñero recalled that contributions also occur in other ways “when difficult times squeeze us. The most recent example is provided by the passage of Fiona, where, after its impact, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, both humanly and economically, to repair the damage and assist those most affected.”

Regarding Inverotel’s commitment to the construction of more hotel properties, Ramón Roselló, executive director, indicated to arecoa.com that they continue to bet on the Dominican destination to expand the offer of Spanish lodging with the construction of two hotels at present.

He detailed that one of them is by Fuerte Group Hotels in Miches and Meliá Hotels International, which is improving and building a third hotel in Punta Cana.

“And we have a projection of a very important hotel and that surely in a couple of years we will see it materialized,” he added.

He said that Inverotel’s investment is already expanding beyond the traction destinations because the Iberostar Group will have a property in Pedernales, “and it is very likely that in Miches, we will have other surprises.”

Minister of Tourism highlights the work of the press in favor of tourism in the Dominican Republic

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, highlighted the work of the tourism press and its essential role in promoting the Dominican Republic.

“We firmly believe in the tourism press and their hard work, a constructive press where the landscapes and essence of the Dominican Republic are highlighted, Adompretur is an institution in which we firmly believe and we congratulate the effort to make these awards,” he said.

His statements were offered at the ceremony of the XVIII edition of the Epifanio Lantigua National Tourism Journalism Award (PEL) 2022, held by the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur).

Collado reaffirmed his support for the industry that generates jobs and foreign exchange. He also congratulated the journalists who promoted the country’s attractions with their reports.

Meanwhile, Yenny Polaco Lovera, president of Adompretur, stressed that “we reward journalists and communicators who invest their time in highlighting the tourist beauties, the existing needs and why not, the denunciation of irregularities in the sector to make them visible to the authorities, always attached to the ethics and duty of the tourism journalist.”

He acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) directed by David Collado, the Banco Popular Dominicano, and the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo, which, together with other essential sponsors, have trusted in the project that exalts good tourism journalism.

Winners
Grand prize: Anyelo Mercedes, who also received the written press award for his reports “Muchas aguas, recurso natural que muta y no deja de sorprender,” “Belleza Salto del 12, en Gonzalo, lo hace parecer lugar místico”, published in the newspaper El Día.

East Region: Paula Reyes Dipré, for her report on La Romana broadcast on the program Noti Turismo con Paola.

North Region: Daniel Mercado for his report “Sosúa, un lugar de ensueño,” published in www.sosuadigital.com.

Television Documentary: Alexander Martínez Bonilla for his work “Encantos de San José de Ocoa,” broadcast on Super, channel 33.

Television or YouTube: Cristian Santana for his report “La ruta de murales de Ciudad Nueva, nueva opción de turismo en República Dominicana,” broadcast on channel 25.

Photography: Jorge González for his sequence of photographs taken in the Colonial City, El Morro, and the Sendero de las Cruces, published in the newspaper El Nacional.

Art & Culture: Jesús Vásquez for his works “Aguas termales: una industria virgen para el turismo dominicano” and “Sarandunga, arte, tradición y fe,” published in www.acento.com.do

Digital press: Daniela Pujols for her report “Cayo Arena, a paradise of crystalline waters and colorful fish,” published in Diario Libre.

Specialized media: El Nuevo Diario newspaper and its director Persio Maldonado, who was represented by Jaime Rincón, executive of the media.

Honorable mention: Génesis Paché for her reports on Dominican handicrafts, published in the newspapers El Tiempo and Bavaronews of Bávaro.

Special Recognition
Ventura Serra and journalist José Rafael Sosa for their constant support of the Award and the initiatives carried out by Adompretur.

Honorable mention to Génesis Paché for her reports on Dominican handicrafts, published in the newspapers El Tiempo and Bavaronews of Bávaro.

Dominican Republic receives the Carnival Celebration for the first time with 5,788 cruise passengers

The Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) announced that last Thursday, November 24, two Carnival Cruise Line ships arrived at the Amber Cove cruise terminal, located in Puerto Plata, where 9,450 cruise passengers disembarked.

“The Carnival Celebration touched Dominican land for the first time in history with 5,788 cruise passengers, where it shared the dock with the Carnival Freedom, which brought with it 3,662 more cruise passengers for a total of 9,450 people, contributing directly to the economy of our country,” the entity said in its social networks.

It recalled that Apordom stated that “last October for the history of cruises in the DR¡ we received in October of this year 85,912 cruise passengers, an increase of 149% compared to October 2021 and 40% compared to October 2019. We surpassed the pre-pandemic numbers and the high season is just beginning!”

APORDOM further explained that although 2017, 2018, and 2019 had been the best years for Dominican tourism, cruise arrivals were lower than in October 2022.

The Real Estate Registry Law’s climate of legal security is highlighted by tourism businesses

Michael Lugo Risk, the executive director of the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI), emphasized the legal security and protection of property rights provided by Law 108-05 of Real Estate Registry as a key tool for the sector’s investments. He noted that the aforementioned Law created a climate of trust that aided in the growth of real estate tourism in the nation because, for the past 15 years, developers of real estate tourism projects have built their projects on the foundation of a registry system supported by management models that are based on technology and modern business practices.

The National Directorate of Cadastral Measurements and its regional directorates, as well as the National Directorate of Title Registration, are part of the organizational structure that the Real Estate Registry Law has established, according to Lugo Risk, who spoke on a panel hosted by the Real Estate Jurisdiction. This organizational structure translates to more legal certainty. He added that this scheme resulted in greater legal security, as an essential factor for investment, allowing the country to continue being one of the main destinations for large hotel chains and the main real estate tourism developments.

According to a press release, the director of ADETI urged people to keep working together to strengthen the entire real estate system through the use of legal tools that ensure an environment of legal security and investment transparency, acting as a catalyst for the expansion of the real estate tourism industry and the economy as a whole.

Dreams Flora Punta Cana confirms opening for February 2023

Dreams Flora Punta Cana, the new all-inclusive resort and the latest addition to Apple Leisure Group’s AMR Collection, will officially open in February 2023. It is recalled that Banco BHD León announced financing to Grupo Crespi García for US$56.8 million for the remodeling, which promotes ecological tourism, located in Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana. The resort will have a total of 520 rooms and suites with modern decoration inspired by the Caribbean, together with eight gastronomic concepts and a wide offer focused on ‘family fun’, as confirmed by those in charge.

All rooms will include a Preferred Club component; this includes everything from a signature lounge and exclusive Preferred Club enclaves throughout the resort to upgraded suites and upgraded room amenities. In addition, the resort will also have an exclusive Dreams Spa by Pevonia. Dreams Flora is the seventh property of the Dreams brand in the Dominican Republic and the sixth in the tourist destination of Punta Cana and will generate more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The arrival of more than 60,000 visitors to Samaná is expected during the cruise season

More than 60,000 passengers will visit Samaná during the five-month cruise season that formally began on November 11 and runs through April 2023 with the arrival of 30 ships. This season formally kicked off with the arrival of AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Luna cruise ship with around 2,000 German passengers on board. In addition to this, during this 2022-2023 season, other important cruise lines such as Costa Crociere, TUI Cruises, Azamara, and Ponant will be arriving at the port. These lines will call at Samaná with their ships Costa Pacífica, Ponant Le Dumond, Azamara Onward, Mein Shiff, AIDA Luna, and AIDA Diva.

It should be noted that the surrounding communities will receive the benefits first-hand of the arrival of these cruise passengers. The foregoing is because tourists usually spend on various activities, income that goes directly to tour guides, excursion merchants, owners of maritime transport, taxi drivers, motoconchos, restaurants, gift shops, and other businesses in the demarcation. In this way, the economic growth of the region translates into development for the families of the community.

Tourism gathers investors in Bayahibe forum

Around 300 foreign investors attended the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) in the Dominican Republic yesterday. This group of hotel developers, industry suppliers, and managers of hotels in the country and elsewhere in the region were able to appreciate the positioning of local tourism following the pandemic. According to what they refer to, it was highlighted in the congress that this nation not only leads the region due to a high volume of tourists and hotel occupancy but also in the monetary income generated in this sector, which allows hiring personnel and ensuring the flow of foreign investment. 

Enrique Penson, the director of economic studies at the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), stated that hotel investment in the country should be increased in light of the increased demand for hotels. “Part of the task that the Ministry of Tourism had in bringing this conference to the country was to ensure an increase in investment because we’re talking about investors from the world’s largest hotel chains,” Penson explained. The person in charge stated that many procedures have been streamlined to facilitate the investment process and that interested parties can easily access data related to the sector.

Penson mentioned that one of the neuralgic attractions to doing this type of business is the tourism investment law. “The Dominican Republic is doing very well, which contrasts with the region, which is unfortunate,” he said. “However, when investors analyze the country, they feel confident, because we have all the indicators in the green.”

The IDB grants 60 million dollars to Haiti in the face of the humanitarian crisis

Given the country’s unprecedented humanitarian crisis and deterioration in security, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced a grant of $60 million to Haiti on Thursday. According to an IDB statement, this non-reimbursable contribution aims to “improve food security, increase the medium- and long-term resilience of vulnerable populations in Haiti, and support the provision of care for displaced populations as well as returning migrants.”

The first portion of the fund, worth $40 million, will provide temporary income in food-insecure areas through cash transfer projects, while also benefiting community initiatives seeking resilience in the face of climate change and mitigating its effects. The transfers of funds, which are also aimed at meeting the needs of vulnerable women, will begin in January 2023 and will benefit approximately 52,000 households (approximately 260,000 people).

The second component of the aid, worth $13 million, will be used to expand essential health services and provide follow-up to residents of the most vulnerable areas. Similarly, $5.5 million will be allocated to improve care for displaced people and returned emigrants. Natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as sociopolitical instability and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, have exacerbated poverty and insecurity in Haiti, where the quality of life is deteriorating, particularly among the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Remittances reach US$8.125 million in 10 months of 2022

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported that remittances received by the country in the first ten months of the year totaled US$8,125.3 million, exceeding the income of more than US$800 million in October. Similarly, he highlighted that the accumulated amount exceeds the remittances received in the first ten months of 2019 by US$2,252.1 million, a period before the start of the covid-19 pandemic, and in which the United States of America did not yet have the aid schemes that were implemented after March 2020 and ended in September 2021, resulting in a reduction of around US$549.8 million when comparing the flows received as of September 2022 with those of the same period of 20

He stated that remittances totaled US$815.9 million in October 2022, representing a 0.3% year-on-year increase. The first observed increase in 2022 results from a comparison with October 2021, the first month after the US government ceases economic aid. This result confirms the establishment of a new monthly remittance flow level of approximately US$800.0 million. He stated that a significant increase is seen when comparing the amount of October 2022 to the average value in the same month before the pandemic (from 2015 to 2019), which was US$481.9 million. According to the BCRD, the United States’ economic performance is one of the main factors that continue to influence remittance behavior, as US$614.4 million came from that country in October, accounting for 84.8% of the flows through formal channels.

The non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of the Supply Management Institute registered a value of 54.4 in October, indicating the continued expansion of the North American economy’s services sector, which is primarily used by the Dominican diaspora in the US.

Plus Ultra and VDT, are “happy” with the Madrid-Santiago de Los Caballeros link

For the first time in history, passengers will be able to fly from the Barajas airport to the Cibao airport in Santiago de los Caballeros via Plus Ultra, which will operate the unprecedented route for the air consolidator and wholesaler VDT. Two special departures are currently scheduled for December, on December 17 and 21 from Spain and January 13 and 20 from the Dominican Republic.

“Both the CEO of the VDT Group and the CEO of the Plus Ultra company are thrilled to be the first to launch this destination and to provide Dominicans in Europe with the option of flying directly from Madrid to Santiago de los Caballeros and the entire Cibao area,” they say. “Without a doubt, this will mark a before and after not only on the route but also for all Dominicans residing on the old continent,” the Plus Ultra management team stated.

Félix M. Garcia, president of the Cibao international airport’s board of directors, thanked the company’s executives for their confidence, emphasizing that “it is great news for the Dominican community in Spain and all of Europe,” as well as for tourism in that country.

Three presidents resist pressure on Haiti

Former Presidents of the Republic Leonel Fernández, Danilo Medina, and now Luis Abinader have faced accusations of racism, xenophobia, and unfair mass repatriation of Haitians from international organizations on several occasions. The most recent request came from Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), who asked the country to “stop repatriating Haitians and prevent racism and xenophobia”. Abinader spoke up, calling his statements unacceptable and irresponsible. He was supported by former President Fernández.

Before reaching this uncomfortable situation, the heads of state took advantage of their participation in United Nations (UN) sessions to discuss the general Haitian problem on Dominican territory, due to their and several other countries’ concern for the fate of the migrants, but without success. After the Constitutional Court issued ruling 168-2013 during its first term (2012-2016), a serious internal crisis erupted, causing concern at the international level and necessitating multiple sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Human Resources of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The sentence established who had the right to Dominican nationality, denying automatic nationality to people born in the Dominican Republic without a residence permit of their parents. First, Caricom leaders accused the sentence of being discriminatory, racist, and a violation of human rights; however, Medina vigorously defended the mechanisms established in the country to grant citizenship.

Popular launches Qik, the country’s first digital bank

With the opening of Qik Banco Digital Dominicano S.A, a “neobank” that will revolutionize banking by offering 100% digital financial intermediation services, the Dominican financial sector will soon be at the forefront of Fintech (technological financial institutions) in the world. Qik is a subsidiary of Grupo Popular. According to a bank statement, Qik already has Monetary Board approval to operate as multiple banks.

Manuel A. Grullón, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grupo Popular, announced the upcoming market entry of Qik Banco Digital Dominicano, S.A. – Banco Multiple, a new banking subsidiary of Grupo Popular and the Dominican Republic’s first neobank and national financial system. On the recommendation of the Superintendency of Banks and the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, the Monetary Board authorized the start of operations of this new banking subsidiary in its session on October 27.

Qik is a neobank because it operates through a mobile application, offering simple and cost-effective banking services without the need to visit branches. When compared to traditional banking, this lightweight operating structure allows us to transfer more benefits to your customers, and accelerating access to financial products for the entire population. He explains that having the person at the center also allows for digital customer service channels within the app for a better experience and relies heavily on the most advanced security solutions to protect users’ data and money.

Barahona hopes that Cabo Rojo’s impulse will also benefit them

The Dominican State’s decision is clear: make Pedernales the main strategic axis in the Enriquillo region’s tourism development. The head of state, Luis Abinader, assured that the Cabo Rojo plan will enable socioeconomic development and consolidate investment in the first phase of US$2.245 million over 10 years through a public-private partnership (PPP). However, Barahona will supplement Pedernales’ tourist offering. It is the slogan of officials and businessmen who assert that “a single province cannot be developed, but rather collectively to achieve comprehensive development.”

According to the senator of demarcation, José del Castillo, the Dominican government owes the South region a social debt. However, he clarified that the authorities must create the necessary conditions for the investor to relocate to locations other than the already established tourist destinations such as Punta Cana, Casa de Campo, or Las Terrenas. Law 158-01, “Promotion of Tourism Development,” establishes tax breaks for tourism-related investments in the Dominican Republic. According to Mayor Milton Fernández, “investors are a starting point for the promotion and development of the province.”

According to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), the renovation of Los Patos and El Quemado beaches will cost RD$83 million, while the reconstruction of the access road to Saladilla beach will cost RD$45 million. “These beaches will be in a position for tourism to take off in Pedernales,” said Carlos Peguero, Vice Minister of Tourism. “The Government does not refer to a specific destination, but rather to an integrated development.” “Pedernales is the region’s starting point, but Barahona will be a nice complement,” he said.

The project in the Enriquillo region, which includes the provinces of Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia, and Bahoruco, will create 1,500 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs, boosting the economy by an average of US$120 million to US$150 million per year.