Abinader to visit Santiago and Puerto Plata during the weekend

President Luis Abinader will visit the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata, where he will inaugurate different road, educational, tourism, and sports infrastructure works, among others.

The Presidential Communications Office said that on Sunday, at 11:00 a.m., the president will visit the Ciudad Corazón to head the rehabilitation of the Joaquín Balaguer, Santiago-Navarrete highway. On Monday, at 10:00 a.m., he is scheduled to visit the municipality of Imbert in Puerto Plata to preside over the inauguration of the Community Technology Center (CTC) and the 14/24 Program. He will then head the start of the refurbishment of the Imbert hospital’s emergency area and inaugurate the INFOTEP training center. From there, he will go to Luperon to visit the Propeep program.

He will also head the inauguration of the fishing and yacht pier and the Enrique Aquiles Polanco playground. At the end of his tour, he will supervise the renovation works of “La Isabela Histórica,” preside over the inauguration of roads and bridges and lead the inauguration of the Santa Isabel Parish in Villa Isabela.

Taíno Bay, big bet for cruises in Puerto Plata

The Taíno Bay cruise terminal, after its opening on December 15, 2021, operates regularly and without inconveniences, estimating a month closing with positive numbers, reaching 48,307 passengers and 22,723 crew members.

In this regard, Karen Lopez, communications director of the terminal, said that “the figures for the entire year of operation range from 300,000 passengers and 195,000 crew members, arriving in about 190 vessels that arrived at the destination and enjoyed the attractions that Puerto Plata offers, contributing to the local economy and commerce.

“Last Monday, January 2, the Wonder of the seas (Wonder of the seas) arrived at our port is a latest generation cruise ship that began operations in 2022, has capacity for 6,370 passengers and 2,394 crew, is a ship of 362 meters long, which exceeded the size of the “Symphony of the seas” of the same company Royal Caribbean, has 18 decks and a gross tonnage of 236,867, has 8 lodging sections or “neighborhoods,” including its new neighborhood of suites,” Lopez added.

Lopez further explained that the visitors who arrived last Monday, January 2, on the largest cruise ship in the world had an excellent impression of Puerto Plata.

Cruise ship tourism boosts Puerto Plata’s economy

The Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster (CTDPP) is preparing a study with the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to make it known that cruise tourism has an evident dynamizing effect on the economy of Puerto Plata.

And the fact is that since the start of operations of the Amber Cove port in 2015 and Taíno Bay in December 2021, the activity has directly impacted cab drivers, restaurants, gift stores, transportation companies, guides, complementary offerings, and theme parks.

In terms of the industry’s labor impact, in addition to the direct jobs generated by the operation of the cruise ports, there is the personnel that works in the stores that operate inside the terminals and in the city.

The number of cab drivers who provide services to the industry also benefits directly. The busiest excursions use buses of 30 and 54 passengers, so they mobilize numerous drivers for the same ones, as well as guides in the boats and other independent ones that give service to those who decide to walk on their own the streets of the city.

Currently, the cab unions that provide services to the tourist ports have 700 registered units, a figure that does not represent a significant increase in the number before the opening of the terminals.

Felix De Aza, general secretary of the Union of Air and Maritime Port Drivers (Sichopayma), explained that previously they had underutilized units due to the decrease in hotel tourism, according to Listin Diario.

“A cab driver could spend up to a week to do service and that now they have 3, 4 and even 5 days of activities a week. Last Monday 2 when there were 4 ships, including the Wonder of the seas, almost all the units in service left, impacting in a positive way the tourist mobility”, he said.

Meanwhile, Ambra Attus, executive director of the CTDPP, highlighted that in October, the entity signed a strategic alliance with the PUCMM to carry out a series of investigations as part of a market intelligence system.

“This initiative includes an updated inventory of tourism resources throughout the province and a study of the socio-economic impact of cruise tourism (also in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata),” she added.

Dreams Flora Punta Cana offers promotional packages before its opening

Dreams Flora Punta Cana, which will officially open in February 2023, is already offering a variety of promotional packages to tourists who wish to visit after its official opening. It is a collection of romantic wedding and honeymoon packages that cater to all budgets and event sizes. All of the details will be handled by an on-site wedding coordinator. Additionally, travelers can add the Dream Big package to their reservations to receive special inclusions that will make their trip even more memorable. A “Dream Big” door banner, an in-room welcome gift, a relaxing 25-minute couples massage, an in-room dessert party or a romantic dinner for two, and Early and Late Check-in are all included in the package.

The package is available as an add-on to reservations made between January 15, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Guests at the 520-room hotel can upgrade to Preferred Club rooms or higher for an enhanced experience, ocean views, and exclusive benefits. It has six bars and lounges with unlimited premium spirits and beverages, four swimming pools, one of which is designated for children, and a water park. Guests can also participate in dance classes, kayaking, and other activities.

In addition, Pevonia’s Dreams Spa provides indigenous and modern techniques for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. A hydrotherapy area, as well as water-trip treatments and beachfront palapa massage booths, are available.

Saona Island already works 100% with renewable energy

Saona Island is already powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to a recently completed plant that provides continuous electricity supply to one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist destinations, which was previously without electricity and drinking water. The Bayahibe Electricity Company (CEB) designed and commissioned the Saona plant, making it the first and only island in the hemisphere to use 100% renewable energy. This plant, according to CEB, a subsidiary of the Punta Cana-Macao Energy Consortium (CEPM), has an initial storage capacity of 5-megawatt hours (MWh) that “could be expanded based on the community’s economic and social development.”

It is made up of photovoltaic modules that store energy in sophisticated batteries and provide electrical service 24 hours a day on this Caribbean Sea island known for its beaches and natural paradises. This will improve the quality of life and economy of the more than 600 residents of Saona, as the lack of energy in businesses and restaurants have previously limited a million tourists who visit this 110-square-kilometer island each year to a maximum of four hours. “I am extremely pleased with the CEB project. I thought that at my age I would not see this advance of light. According to a company note, “now I can watch television, turn on the fan (fan), or use the iron,” Bienvenida Diaz says.

In the same vein, Mercedes Rodriguez stated that the arrival of energy will benefit her soap-making business by allowing her to use an electric grinder. “Everything is easier with machines. “Now I will begin what I have always wanted to do,” she says. This is a model that, according to Rolando González Bunster, president of InterEnergy Group, the parent company of CEPM and CEB, could be replicated in other areas of the Dominican Republic and on other islands around the world to promote the development of clean and environmentally friendly technology. González Bunster emphasizes the benefits of clean energy to Saona, such as access to pure drinking water, electric mobility, and the installation of a cold chain, which is necessary for fishing in the area.

To give the island’s residents more control over their consumption, the service will be provided through a prepaid system. The project also includes the development of an intelligent network of modules at various points throughout the island’s habitable area, as well as the correction and improvement of the electrical infrastructure of more than 120 houses, businesses, and commercial premises in Saona.

Technological knowledge diversifies Dominican exports

Technology enables developing economies to diversify their exports. This enables the development of knowledge-based services (KBS), which represent a productive transformation opportunity in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic has a “medium-high” dynamism, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), for the US$707.5 million exported in knowledge-based services in 2018. This accounts for only 1.5% of the region’s total exports, totaling US$46 billion. However, it ranks lower than Guatemala ($1 billion), Peru ($916.5 million), and Panama ($873 million), all of which are known for their dynamism.

According to the IDB report “Export knowledge: the era of services in Latin America,” these activities are distinguished by the use of high technology and necessitate skilled labor in technological innovations, owing primarily to the participation of information and communication technologies (ICT). According to the study, governments must improve digital infrastructure and integrate the productive and scientific-technological sectors to consolidate this new ecosystem of services. “The development of service clusters that promote synergies between businessmen, the public sector, and education to address the teaching of human capital in digitization will be beneficial for productive diversity in the face of the fourth industrial revolution,” he adds.

However, according to the IDB, one in every three businesses is unable to find workers with the necessary technological and digital skills. As a result, countries must implement public policies to close the labor supply-demand gap, linked to the economy’s technological future.

DR consolidates the conquest of the Argentine tourist with its all-inclusive

The all-inclusive vacation package remains a major highlight of Dominican tourism, owing to the high quality and prestige of the brands that provide this popular leisure option in the country. In the case of Argentine tourists, all-inclusive accommodations in the Dominican Republic remain increasingly popular. According to the most recent Habits and Trends report from the online travel agency Atrápalo Argentina, the Dominican Republic’s all-inclusive offer captured 46% of its sales in 2022.

Furthermore, with its star destination: Punta Cana, the Caribbean country remained very fashionable in the eyes of Argentine vacationers, becoming one of the most sought-after international destinations by South American travelers, competing with Rio de Janeiro, Cancun, and Miami, among other tourist destinations. Punta Cana, a popular tourist destination, also appears in the Atrápalo Argentina ranking of the most sought-after international cities to visit during the first quarter of 2023, as one of the year’s first travel trends.

According to the report released by the aforementioned travel agency, Argentine tourists stay an average of 10 to 14 days on their international trips.

New terminal in the Cibao seeks to reduce passenger stress

The architect Oscar Torrejón, a member of the Luis Vidal firm, assured that the first phase of the new Cibao International Airport terminal construction project, which is already underway, will be completed by mid-2025. Torrejón stated that the new terminal building would put Santiago de los Caballeros on the map when international flights arrive and would allow for the reception of new connections that are currently not possible due to the inability to be admitted.

He stressed the importance of understanding that a new terminal will be built, not an extension of the existing one. It will be able to receive more than 4 million passengers, far exceeding the million and a half that it currently does. Torrejón clarified that his job is to design, not build, because another company will be chosen through a competition.

He also stated that the reconstruction of the new infrastructure would begin at the end of December 2020, as this is the primary project of the construction company, which is currently executing other projects, and that work would begin in the coming weeks.

Dominican Republic at Fitur 2023: maximum level of exhibitors and the focus on Miches

The Dominican Republic returns as a co-sponsor of Fitur 2023, which will be held in Madrid from January 18 to 22, emphasizing this time the particular focus that the promotion of the new Miches tourist pole will have, as well as the historical participation of exhibitors. According to Tourism Minister David Collado, “this year there is the great expectation with the Dominican Republic’s attendance at Fitur 2023, where we reached the maximum number of exhibitors allowed by IFEMA in the history of our participation in this important international tourism fair.” 

Collado, who will lead the Dominican delegation to the event, stated that the DR stand would have six sponsors and 45 co-exhibitors, including major industry players and the country’s largest commercial banks. “As we do every year, we will bring our diverse tourist offer to Fitur, demonstrating why we are the country with the best conditions for foreign investment,” said Mitur’s CEO. He stated that Fitur will be the ideal platform for showing the tourist world all of the conditions and beauty that Miches has to offer as a Caribbean destination. Banco Popular and Banco de Reservas are the two official sponsors, in addition to the Ministry of Tourism.

As sponsors, the BHD bank, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, and ProMiches will join other prestigious tourism brands.

The message to the population of Luis Abinader for 2023

For reasons on the eve of the new year, the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, posted an audiovisual from the National Palace with the first lady, Raquel Arbaje, on his Twitter account on Thursday. In short, Abinader and his wife reflected on the ups and downs of the year 2022, which is only two days away from reaching its conclusion. “We are nearing the end of 2022. A year of great adversity, yes, but also of many successes, achievements, and recovery, the result of our efforts and yours, who are without a doubt the Dominican Republic’s greatest and best asset,” said the president.

In that same order, regarding 2023, he pointed out that “it will be a year in which we will consolidate much of what we have been doing these two years. It will be a year in which we demonstrate that we can go much further and that few things are impossible”. Arbaje urged Dominicans to “continue working together for a better country,” promoting youth, supporting Dominican families, and assisting the elderly.

“We received the arrival of a new year with enthusiasm, for the opportunities that would come, and prepared because Dominicans are a fighting people,” said Arbaje before the arrival of 2023. Following the first lady’s intervention, Abinader urged the people to “work together, as a team” to achieve a “better and more prosperous Dominican Republic” by 2023.

Puerto Plata in 2022, the province with the lowest public investment

Puerto Plata has seen less public investment in the last eight years, with just RD$679.1 million at the end of the second week of December, a negative interannual variation of 54% and an absolute difference of RD$778.6 million when compared to 2021, when it registered RD$1 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development (MEPyD). This year’s performance is even lower than in 2020, when it accumulated RD$804.4 million, due to a 15.5% decrease, resulting in a net interannual difference of RD$125.3 million. This was the province’s lowest public investment since 2015 when the government on duty only invested RD$883.9 million.

From 2014 to the end of the second week of December 2022, the state invested around RD$10 billion in this important tourist area, with 2018 being the best year with RD$3 billion, accounting for 27.5% of the total. Following that is 2021, with an amount of RD$1 billion for a 13.3% item. 2017 continues, after reporting around RD$1 billion for 10.9%.

In 2019, these investments totaled RD$1 billion, or 10.1% of the total. Meanwhile, the 2014 figure of RD$914.9 million and the 2016 figure of RD$883.9 million represented 8.4% and 8.1%, respectively. So far this year, the amount of public investment in Puerto Plata represents “only” 1.3% of the total, because the Government allocated RD$52,277.1 million to all provinces by the end of the second week of December 2022.

Economist: Dominican government must increase public spending in 2023

The economist Antonio Ciriaco stated that the government must increase public spending in 2023 to make the Dominican Republic’s economy more resilient and inclusive in the face of an international economic recession. To maintain the country’s 5% growth rate, greater investment in public spending, primarily on infrastructure, is required, as this will allow the country to reactivate internal demand.

“Low public investment is one of the current government’s shortcomings. Subsidies were not included in the budget for 2022, but more than RD$662 billion were allocated, including RD$38 billion to control fuel prices and RD$18 billion to the energy sector, among other things,” he assures. He maintains that the Dominican economy grew quite well in 2022, but the projection for next year is the government’s handling of risk situations such as indebtedness and subsidies.

“The government’s public indebtedness is approximately US$52 billion. Meanwhile, we are talking about nearly US$67 billion between the Central Bank, which represents 60% of GDP. “There is something that needs to be addressed for the next pre-election year,” Ciriaco clarifies.

Dominican economy ends the year with a 5% growth

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, in reporting the preliminary results of the economy, reveals that the monthly indicator of economic activity (IMAE) registered an accumulated growth of 5.0% in January-November 2022 when compared to the same period the previous year, after incorporating the interannual variations of 3.8% in October and 2.9% in November of the current year. The Dominican economy’s trend throughout the year reflects a moderation in its growth rate in recent months, as increases of 6.1%, 5.1%, and 5.0% were recorded in the first three quarters of the year, respectively. The slowdown in domestic demand, primarily from the investment component, is due to high raw material and construction material costs, as well as the operation of the monetary policy transmission mechanism aimed at reducing inflationary pressures.

In this regard, the results of the Central Bank forecast system indicate that actual gross domestic product (GDP) growth will be around 5.0% by the end of 2022. In terms of nominal GDP, it is expected to reach approximately US$113 billion, contributing to the consolidated public sector debt falling below 60% of GDP by the end of the current fiscal year. GDP per capita rises from $8,971.9 in 2021 to close to $10,600 in 2022 with this level of nominal product. Similarly, it is important to highlight Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings’ recent upgrade of the sovereign credit risk rating from ‘BB-‘ to ‘BB,’ reflecting the country’s climate of stability supported by the consolidation of the economic recovery, as well as favorable expectations regarding GDP performance and the continuation of timely policies in the medium term.

It should be noted that the preceding is supported by the Dominican Republic’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, as well as its resilience in the face of the current adverse international context, which highlights the slowing of global economic growth and the restrictive monetary stance adopted by most countries to control inflationary pressures.

IDAC: Dominican airports normalize flights to the US and Canada

The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) has reported the resumption of regular flights that had been halted due to the winter storm Elliot, which had recently impacted the Eastern United States and several Canadian cities. Héctor Porcella, interim director general of IDAC, revealed that all international airports in the country reported the normalization of flight traffic with cities in the United States and Canada where restrictions on aeronautical operations had been imposed due to the atmospheric phenomenon.

“We have received information since the early hours of Tuesday that the cold storm has begun to weaken both in the United States and in Canada, facilitating the normalization of flights connecting the Dominican Republic with those countries,” Porcella said. He stated that no situation affects the entry and exit of passengers at national airports due to meteorological reasons, which he believes is very good news for Dominican tourism and its goal of exceeding the historical figure of 7 million tourists in the year 2022.

“Despite the cancellation of 39 flights from the United States and Canada since Thursday of last week, the Dominican Republic is on track to record the highest number of aeronautical operations in December and throughout the year, as we recently announced,” said the interim head of the IDAC.

Locals fear that whale season will start in Samaná without the main pier

As the start date of the whale watching season in Samaná approaches, the owners of boats that transport tourists to see the whales become more concerned because they still lack a pier for passenger disembarkation. The owners recalled that this is a critical economic period for the province, and they are concerned that the absence of the main pier will have an impact on the more than 200 workers, both direct and indirect, in transportation and other commercial activities such as hotels and restaurants. Beddall, who has worked in the passenger transport sector for more than 30 years during the season, explained that the government, through the Port Authority, began reconstruction work on the pier last October, which was built during one of the extinct Joaquin Balaguer governments.

He stated that while only half of the dock is currently made of cement, the structure has a hole in the middle that collects water. According to Augusto González, who is also involved in passenger transportation, the Port authorities would have promised to complete the work by December 24. Beddall and González both expressed doubt that the pier would be finished in time for whale season. According to Kim Beddall, over 100,000 passengers were transported during the previous season last year, with more than half of those passengers embarking and disembarking at the aforementioned pier. The woman expressed her concern that the community would lose millions of dollars due to a lack of work, while also expressing her surprise at the lack of attention to the case, given that the State collects millions of pesos through the Ministry of the Environment during the season.

González stated that he spoke with the engineer in charge of the project, who confirmed that they are working on the dock. “What is said is one thing, but what is seen is another. This is concerning because the high season is about to begin, which is what motivates us the most, and we will not be ready with the pier, which is a major issue. The whales are not for a group; they are for Samaná,” he explained.

Arrival of cruise ship to Puerto Plata with thousands of visitors on board suspended

A cruise ship suspended its visit to the Taino Bay port, in Puerto Plata, this Sunday. The reason is still unknown. The Norwegian Dawn liner, had thousands of visitors on board between passengers and crew. “By this means we let you know that the Norwegian Dawn ship canceled its arrival that was scheduled for this December 25,” says a statement from a company linked to the operations of the terminal. So far, no authority or the port administration have offered details about the cancellation of that visit.

The Taino Bay and Amber Cove cruise terminals operate in Puerto Plata. Both have projected in their calendars of operations to receive 60 cruises during the current month. That figure represents the largest number of ocean liners ever docking at the Atlantic Bride.

At least 5 flights affected between the Dominican Republic and the United States

Dominican Airports XXI (Aerodom), reported that at least five flights have been affected by winter storm Elliot in the United States, which were scheduled to depart or arrive at Las Américas Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez.

The company explained that three of the affected flights are from JetBlue, Spirit airline, and from United with scheduled origin or destination to Orlando, New York and New Jersey. On the 24th and 25th there were two cancellations in the AILA connection with Puerto Rico and New York, also from JetBlue. While at the airports of Puerto Plata and Samaná, five other flights were affected on December 23, as well as on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Those flights had to connect with the Canadian cities of Quebec, Montreal and Toronto, of the airlines Air Transar, Air Canada and Westjet. The situation caused dozens of travelers to be stranded at national airports such as in the United States, waiting for the weather to improve and flight operations to resume. Aerodom recommended that affected passengers first contact their travel agent, or the staff of the airlines in which they would travel before going to the airport to contact the status of their flight and avoid inconvenience.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

To all our extended friends and family we wish you all a very happy Holiday season and joyous New Year. We are all looking forward to seeing each and every one of you at the our favorite beach at Luperon Ocean Estates in the new year. LOE Group LLC

Government says economy “is on the right track”

José Manuel Vicente, Minister of Finance, stated that the country is economically on a “good path” because all loans requested by the Executive Power and approved by the National Congress were previously budgeted. “Amid the country’s worst economic and health crisis, we addressed and resolved this situation by keeping the debt as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) the same, but with a downward trend, that we received when we came to power (August 16, 2020); From the Ministry of Finance, we are committed to the issue of debt sustainability,” Vicente explained.

According to the official, the fact that the financial entity “Standard & Poor’s” has given the country the highest credit rating, “BB,” is a “recognition” of the “good path” that it has taken in terms of monetary and fiscal policies.

The minister’s remarks were made at a press conference held at the National Palace, after the spokesman for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) bench, Yvan Lorenzo called the upper house of Congress’s attempt to approve a US$140 million loan a “provocation” on Tuesday morning.

Standard & Poor’s improves DR’s credit rating

The risk agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P Global) improved the country’s credit rating, raising it from “BB-” to “BB”, supported by the good economic management of the Government. A note from the Ministry of Finance says that the report published yesterday highlights that the economy exhibits a high growth rate and resilience to external shocks. He expresses that the recovery has allowed it not only to exceed pre-pandemic levels but also to resume its long-term growth trend.

“Good public-private sector coordination has helped offset demand shortfalls caused by the global economic slowdown and the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” he says. Similarly, the firm highlights the improvement of the institutional framework in the Dominican public administration, reflected in its ability to maintain high growth rates, and strengthen fiscal planning and public debt management. He explains that the Minister of Finance, Jochi Vicente, stated that despite an unfavorable international environment, the fiscal measures applied have allowed the country to advance in its credit rating without jeopardizing the sustainability of state finances.

“This improvement by Standard & Poor’s is the best evidence of the effort we are making as a Government, both economically and institutionally, to achieve the goal we have set ourselves: achieve investment grade within the next decade,” he declared. The official recalled that at the end of 2021, S&P Global improved the country’s credit outlook, raising it from negative to stable, a decision that he based on “the impressive local economic recovery, which managed to reverse the external deterioration caused by Covid-19.” Meanwhile, the Vice Minister of Public Credit, María José Martínez, explained that the improvement to BB has a positive impact on the cost of financing taken by the State and makes the country more attractive for receiving foreign investment.