What are the major challenges facing the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry?

We are experiencing a paradigm shift in which companies no longer choose people. Still, people who decide on companies and the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry are not exempt from this.

We find ourselves in a new context in the talent-company relationship, marked by global phenomena such as the great resignation, which has raised company turnover rates, or the silent resignation, which has reformulated the meaning of commitment within organizations. According to some studies, the cost of replacing a person is up to one year’s salary in the case of middle management.

In addition to the above, the pandemic’s boost to digitalization has brought concepts such as flexibility to the center of the debate. For their part, mental health, work-life balance, ethics, and sustainability are among the priorities of changed professionals. As a result, they increasingly behave at work in the same way they do as consumers, customers, or citizens.

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In this regard, Iban Campo, CEO of LLYC Santo Domingo, mentioned: “today the transformation of organizations is more than ever an eminently human transformation. And this has placed the challenges of talent at the center of business decisions. These are challenges that are challenging even traditional business models, because the problems of attracting and connecting with people are compromising the sustainability of companies in the medium term”.

In this sense, given the significant acceleration of the Dominican tourism industry compared to pre-pandemic and pandemic years, today, more than ever, companies in the sector need to understand how to attract and attract the profiles they need, how to improve the commitment of the team to meet the challenges of the organization, how to curb the turnover that continues to grow and that is directly affecting the economic balances, among other questions.

Many of these questions have gone beyond the boundaries of HR departments, which are forced to reformulate and adapt how they face these challenges. For example, according to LLYC’s Deep Learning area, during the 2019-2022 period, mentions of challenges such as “talent retention” and “talent training” grew in the conversation in Ibero-America by 35% 71%, respectively.

Therefore, these are times of innovation, reformulating what we do and incorporating new capabilities into HR teams, similar to those of marketing, to address future challenges.

First, transforming the corporate-centric vision into a people-centric vision allows us better to understand our talent and their needs and concerns; second, connecting this deep understanding with our particularities as an organization to create a differentiating story. Third, creating our own brand as a place to work with the same solidity that we have been building our product brand for years: and third, redefining from here a new relationship with our potential candidates and professionals.

Official opening of Dreams Flora Punta Cana luxury hotel

Punta Cana.- Executives of the Inclusive Collection hotel chain, part of World of Hyatt, officially inaugurated the new Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.

Luis Núñez, commercial vice-president of the Dominican Republic and Colombia of Inclusive Collection, highlighted the continuous growth of the brands that belong to Inclusive Collection’s global portfolio.

He expressed that Dreams Flora Resort & Spa, located in Cabeza de Toro beach, the fifth Dreams in the country, is the result of the sum of efforts of important companies such as the commercial support of Inclusive Collection, Grupo Martinón, the BHD bank and the trust of the Crespi family deposited in the hotel chain.

“This stunning resort joined our portfolio in February 2023 and we are excited to be able to showcase its beauty and excellent location here in the Cabeza de Toro region of Punta Cana. It is a property where our guests will live a wonderful experience in a luxury hotel,” said Núñez.

The event was held as part of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) 2023 and was attended by Daniel Hernández, regional vice president of Operations; Kevin Wojciechowski, senior vice president of Sales and Distribution, Americas; Claudio Zborznovits, vice president of Global Sales and Business Development; and Luis Carreño, director of International Marketing.

Dominican Republic: Air traffic suspended at Puerto Plata airport for 10 days

Air traffic through the Gregorio Luperón International Airport of Puerto Plata will be suspended from May 8 to 17 to carry out the second and last phase of the repair and remodeling of runways 08 and 26 of this airport terminal.
Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) explained that the works would be carried out with the objective and “the commitment to maintain the highest standards of operational safety at the airport.”

The runway will be closed from noon on Monday, May 8, 2023, until Wednesday, May 17 at 11:59 am.

These works imply an investment of more than US$4.5 million, “which will extend the useful life of the runway, improve aircraft operating conditions, as well as correct the leveling of the slabs in the central section of the runway.”
Aerodom also emphasized that these works will allow it to continue receiving wide-body aircraft without restrictions, which favors the expansion of flights between Puerto Plata and Europe and other long-distance destinations.

“As we announced in 2022, we will be executing in May of this year the second and last phase of this important intervention that will improve the taxiing conditions of the runway in Puerto Plata and extend its useful life,” said Aerodom.

Asonahores: drop in Canadian tourists is due to the season, not to alerts

David Llibre, the President of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), has stated that the Canadian travel advisory has not had a significant impact on the entry of tourists from Canada, but rather it is due to the low season. Llibre reassured that the safety of tourists is guaranteed, despite acknowledging that criminal acts do exist in the country. He added that there are security agents who are constantly monitoring tourists, and he believes that each country has the right to make statements, but he hopes they can see the millions of tourists who arrive safely in the Dominican Republic.

Llibre also commented on the positive development of the United States withdrawing the travel advisory that accused the Dominican Republic of racism against visitors. He believes that this will have a positive result since the tourists who know and trust the Dominican Republic have already returned, and the withdrawal only confirms the reality. He hopes that when the United States makes that decision, other countries can follow suit.

According to RCN, Llibre also acknowledged that Canada has a low market during the low season, as winter begins to arrive, and people tend to stay in their country.

Abinader would win the next elections with 55.1% according to a Markestrategia survey

Santo Domingo.- Markestrategia, a polling firm, has released the findings of a nationwide survey conducted on April 21, 22, and 23, 2023, regarding the political landscape for the 2024 presidential election in the Dominican Republic. The survey comprised 1,214 respondents, with a maximum margin of error of 2.8%. According to the results, President Luis Abinader has the highest electoral preference at 55.1%, followed by Leonel Fernández of the FP with 28.1%, Abel Martínez of the PLD with 14.2%, Miguel Vargas Maldonado of the PRD with 1.1%, and Guillermo Moreno of the AP with 1.5%.

The survey asked respondents which candidate they would vote for if the presidential candidates in 2024 were Luis Abinader, Abel Martínez, Leonel Fernández, Miguel Vargas Maldonado, and Guillermo Moreno. When asked about the possibility of a second round in the presidential elections, 51.3% of the respondents believed there would be no second round, 22.3% answered maybe, and 20.9% responded yes.

The survey also asked respondents if they thought President Luis Abinader was leading the country on the right or wrong path. 62.3% of the respondents believed that the President was leading the country on the right path. Markestrategia’s data also indicates that 65.9% of those surveyed consider Luis Abinader as a president close to the people, and 65.1% approve of his management.

David Llibre: “Dominican Republic is not just sun and beach”

Punta Cana.- During his participation in the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (Date) fair, David Llibre, the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), emphasized that the Dominican Republic is not just known for its sun and sand, but also serves as a benchmark for tourism in the Caribbean region. He highlighted the country’s growing reputation in various sectors of tourism, including health, shopping, business, adventure, and sports tourism.

Despite the ongoing crisis, Llibre emphasized that the Dominican Republic has managed to achieve a privileged position by welcoming more international flights, tourists, investments, and ongoing or planned projects. He mentioned some noteworthy initiatives, such as the Cabo Rojo project in Pedernales, which involves eight major hotel chains, and the Punta Bergantín project on the north coast of the country which includes hotels, tourist housing areas, a golf course, film studios, and a project for digital nomads.

Meanwhile, Andrés Marranzini Grullón, executive vice president of Asonahores, stated that international delegate participation in Date 2023 has increased by 37%, reflecting the maturity that Dominican tourism has achieved. He added that this year’s event will enable international delegates to witness the country’s booming tourism and meet highly professional suppliers offering a product with an unbeatable quality/price ratio.

Collado affirms that the Government seeks a definitive solution to sargassum

According to David Collado, the Minister of Tourism, a joint fund of $12 million was proposed to tackle the sargassum issue in the country, with each sector contributing $6 million. However, he explained that managing the sargassum issue would require $25-$30 million and that the initial fund would only offer temporary relief.

Collado added that investing millions of dollars in a solution that would fail to address the issue during the summer was not a wise decision. In response, President Abinader proposed innovative measures to tackle the problem, emphasizing the government’s determination to find a permanent solution to the millions of tons of sargassum that reach the beaches of the Dominican Republic.

It is projected that the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, will receive 24 million tons of sargassum by the summer.

Extensive beach cleaning day conducted in Puerto Plata

GBC Farmacias, the Raymond Rodríguez Foundation, the Municipal Mayor’s Office, and the Clean Ocean Foundation carried out an extensive beach cleaning day on the coast of Puerto Plata in commemoration of World Earth Day. Volunteers from the entities involved collected thousands of units of solid waste from the Malecón tourist city, which had been polluting the coast.

The executive vice president of GBC Farmacias, Raymond Rodríguez, emphasized that the initiative was part of the company’s social responsibility and commitment to environmental protection and preservation. He added that water and natural resources are critical and need protection for the present and future generations. The municipal mayor Roque García applauded the GBC pharmaceutical group’s initiative and contribution to the development of Puerto Plata.

Johan Manuel Bierd Vásquez, the president of the Clean Ocean Foundation, thanked the support of GBC Farmacias in keeping the northern province’s coasts and beaches clean. GBC Farmacias, together with the Raymond Rodríguez Foundation and Océano Limpio, installed a new circuit of Biobardas at the mouth of the ravine of the Puerto Plata boardwalk to prevent the contamination caused by solid waste, which reaches the Atlantic Sea.

The new tool will hold garbage and enable staff to remove it, keeping the beaches of the area waste-free and suitable for vacations. The deputy mayor of Puerto Plata, Kenya Desangles, the executive director of the Raymond Rodríguez Foundation, Máximo Romero, and other coordinators of the entity were also present during the cleanup operation.

Dominican Taste Festival in New York will be dedicated to San Juan de La Maguana

New York.– The third edition of the Dominican Taste Festival in New York will take place on June 24 and 25 under the slogans “Yo Consumo lo Mío” and “ComerJuntosEsMejor” (I Consume my Own Products and EatingTogetherIsBetter) and will have the support of several ministries and entities attached to the Dominican Government.

According to Elida Almonte, the president of the Dominican Chamber of Commerce in the United States, preparations are already underway for the celebration, which will begin on June 19 with the traditional press cocktail, this year dedicated to the San Juan de La Maguana province.

For this purpose, a large delegation representing the province will travel to New York, headed by its mayor, architect Hanói Sánchez, as well as entrepreneurs and cultural representatives from the southwestern Dominican province.

“In January we met with President Luis Abinader to present this year’s agenda and we have held meetings with the ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, artisan associations, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the chefs’ commission, which make up the festival’s gastronomic pavilion,” said Sánchez.

In addition, the festival organizers have been in communication with Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who always supports them to carry out altruistic events for the community.

Almonte revealed that on Monday they met with the Dominican Consul in New York, Eligio Jáquez, to present the proposal and coordinate the activities that will be carried out during the two-day-festival and its previous events.

The festival will be an opportunity for the Tourism Ministry to present the important tourist destinations of the Dominican Republic, while Agriculture minister Limber Cruz has expressed his enthusiasm to once again showcase the great quality of the country’s agricultural products.

For this purpose, a working commission has been created to coordinate the attendance of farmers and the country’s productive sector. The association of artisans, headed by the Guillen brothers, leaders in national handicrafts, will also be present.

According to Almonte, among the activities prior to the festival, which is also a tribute to the Latin American communities in the Big Apple, there will be the tourism business table and the agricultural products business table, in addition to the business dinner “Tobacco and Rum.”

The Chamber of Commerce president stated that the organizers are very optimistic that last year’s success will be shadowed by this year’s edition, and invited “all our Dominican brothers and sisters, no matter where they are, to participate in this great event that represents the culture, production and tourism of the Dominican Republic.”

Dominican Music Week will bring artists closer to the international industry

The face of a music movement is typically represented by the artist or star, but behind them lies machinery that drives their success. The La Oreja Media Foundation has announced the first Dominican Music Week, aimed at promoting and developing Dominican music, with around 30 emerging artists from various genres and music professionals attending.

The event will feature conferences, showcases, and panel discussions with industry executives to educate artists, producers, musicians, and others on the international music business. The event is open to anyone with an interest in the music industry, and the organizers hope to attract key players at a national and international level.

The ultimate goal is to showcase the Dominican musical offering and create opportunities for growth, internationalization, and business development within the cultural sector.

Dominican Republic will host customs meeting of America, Spain and Portugal

Santo Domingo.- Customs officials and directors from America, Spain, and Portugal will hold three meetings in the Dominican Republic from May 15 to 19 to discuss “exploring good practices” and “identifying common opportunities and challenges,” the Dominican General Directorate of Customs (DGA) said in a statement. The conference will take place in Punta Cana and will focus on the “modernization” of customs and logistics systems.

The first meeting is the XLIII Meeting of National Directors for the Multilateral Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the national Customs Directorates of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal (Comalep), to be held on May 15 and 16. The III Customs Joint Forum: Private Sector Regional Group will take place on May 17, exploring opportunities for alliance and joint solutions between the business sector and customs. The third and final meeting is the XXV Regional Conference of Customs Directors General (Crdga 2023), to be held from May 17 to 18, where the “main actors” of customs management in the region, Spain, and Portugal will share concerns, innovations, knowledge exchange opportunities, and promote public-private alliances.

They aim to strengthen the transport of goods, expedite customs procedures, maximize the competitiveness of nations, and find ways to strengthen security controls in different ports while enhancing relations between different countries.

Valdez Albizu projects the Dominican Republic will attract 10 million visitors in 2023

The governor of the Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu, has announced that the Dominican Republic is expected to receive approximately 10 million visitors by the end of 2023. He emphasized that the tourism industry is a vital pillar of the country’s economy and expressed his hope that it will remain so. Albizu commended the Ministry of Tourism for its efforts in achieving this projection.

He also lauded the tourism sector for contributing 25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He congratulated the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and his team for their outstanding work in the sector. During a March tourism sector statistics presentation, Albizu shared that the country welcomed 8.5 million visitors in 2022, including cruise passengers, which significantly impacted the economy.

Albizu further shared that, during a spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he explained that the Dominican Republic had faced challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and US inflation due to the bankruptcy of two American banks, but had worked hard to overcome them. He highlighted that the country is estimated to have a growth rate of 4.25% this year, which is similar to the projections made by the IMF and the World Bank.

Government will invest more than RD$116 M to renovate cultural works of the Colonial City

The Ministry of Tourism has announced the start of restoration work on various historical and cultural infrastructures in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The project will cost over 116 million pesos and will include the restoration of the Alcázar de Colón and Puerta de la Misericordia Monuments, as well as the facades of various architectural heritage sites in Ciudad Colonial.

According to Tourism Minister David Collado, the works will have a positive impact on the tourism industry in Santo Domingo. The restoration of the Alcázar de Colón Monument will cost RD$74,331,239 and includes specialized intervention to correct pathologies in the structure of its four facades, along with measures for the maintenance and beautification of its spaces. The restoration of Ciudad Colonial heritage facades will cost RD$25,010,686 and will be carried out together with specialized personnel from the National Directorate of Monumental Heritage.

Additionally, RD$17,070,360 will be invested in the Puerta de la Misericordia for its improvement, which will include the restoration of the stone wall, cleaning and sanitation of the wall facings, and the recovery and expansion of platforms. The project will also involve the recovery of electric lighting and the general beautification of the entire environment.

Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort once again hosts the DATE 2023 tourism fair

The Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) will organize the twenty-third edition of the “Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE 2023)” from April 26 to 28 in Punta Cana. The Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will host the event. Zarina Montalvo, the Commercial Director of the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, expressed her pride in receiving this prestigious event for the twelfth time and providing a highly professional environment that is regularly updated.

Montalvo highlighted the importance of this event for Barceló, demonstrating their commitment to supporting Dominican tourism. The Convention Center is part of the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort tourist complex, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the country. It covers an area of 11,500 square meters and comprises 13 convertible meeting rooms with a capacity of 20 to 5,000 people.

The Convention Center is a preferred location for hosting large conventions, and it positions the country as one of the most attractive destinations for international meetings in the region. During the fair, travel agencies and tour operators from various markets come together to make commercial agreements with hotels, airlines, excursion companies, airports, theme parks, transporters, travel agencies, restaurants, car rentals, health centers, museums, banks, other tourism-related companies.

Puerto Plata, a gastronomic offer that integrates traditional and international cuisine

Puerto Plata, the starting point of mass tourism in the Dominican Republic, has a varied gastronomic offer rooted in its oldest traditions and unique international offer.

The most typical proposals include melao bonbons, a tradition of the municipality of Imbert and Luperón that people usually enjoy, accompanied by the regular leaf cheese of the region, in the numerous artisan factories in the area.

In the head municipality, the tradition is marked by symbolic products such as Galletas Julia, handmade cookies made with the same recipe of its creator in her house on Cardenal Sancha Street, and the Bojos quipes on Margarita Mears Street, the bread of Gerry Gilbert on the same street and the sweets of Doña Agustina on José Del Carmen Ariza Street.

The municipality of Maimon is the headquarters of fish in the province, with dozens of restaurants located on the same road, where you can enjoy various options of the specialty, fried fish, but also grilled or boiled, as well as all kinds of seafood.

Fish and seafood can be enjoyed throughout the province in different restaurants, with a wide range of options from local Creole restaurants, Italian, pizzerias, fast food restaurants, Indian food, and others.

The Playa Dorada complex has numerous specialty restaurants that can be enjoyed by the public, even if they are not staying at their hotels.

In Sosúa and Cabarete, the options for international food are multiplied; in every corner, there are alternatives to enjoy German, Italian, Canadian, Irish, and other food.

Cabarete has the additional attraction of its restaurants located around the beach, with tables on the sand, according to Listín Diario.

But the offer is extended to all the municipalities, with exciting proposals, in Imbert, Guananico, Los Hidalgos, Villa Isabela, and Luperón, as well as in the heights of Altamira, home of the best chocolate of the region or in the district of Yasica to taste the Café del Yaroa.

ECLAC maintains projection that Dominican economy will grow 4.6 % in 2023

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) slightly reduced this Thursday its projection of regional gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2023 from 1.3% estimated last December to 1.2%, mainly due to “growing external uncertainties and internal restrictions.”

Meanwhile, the growth projection for the Dominican economy for 2023 remains at 4.6%, one of the highest in the region. The percentage is slightly higher than the 4.2% projected recently by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the 4.4% of the World Bank.

At the regional level, the United Nations agency, based in Santiago de Chile, warned that the scenario is “complex” because, in addition to the increases in interest rates at the world level, “the financial turbulences observed at the beginning of March,” such as the bankruptcy of several banks, among them, Silicon Valley Bank, in the United States, were added.

“The growth projection for 2023 is subject to downside risks due to the possibility of a resurgence and accentuation of turbulence in the global banking system, which would result in a more persistent tightening of global financial conditions,” ECLAC warned.

According to the institution, the region once again has “limited” space for fiscal policy this year, and “it is not expected that a cycle of monetary easing will become generalized in the region.”

“Inflation in the region shows a downward trend and, although it is expected that the conclusion of the process of interest rate hikes in several countries in the region could be near, the effects of restrictive policy on private consumption and investment will be felt more strongly this year,” it added in a statement.

Argentina, Haiti, and Chile: the only ones to decrease
Venezuela (5 %), Panama (4.6 %), and Dominican Republic (4.6 %) will lead economic growth this year, followed by Paraguay (4.2 %), the Caribbean islands (3.5 %), Guatemala (3.2 %), Honduras (3 %), Costa Rica (2.7 %) and Nicaragua (2.3 %), according to the statement.

In the middle of the table are El Salvador, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, with an estimated growth of 2%, followed by Cuba and Mexico, with an increase of 1.5%.

At the bottom, but still with positive figures, are Colombia (1.2 %) and Brazil (0.8 %). In comparison, Chile (-0.3 %), Haiti (-0.7 %), and Argentina (-2 %) are the only ones that will decrease this year, according to the United Nations organization.

“In the Caribbean economies, the slowdown expected in 2023 is mainly due to the fact that inflation has impacted both real income, and with it consumption, and production costs, with a negative effect on the competitiveness of exports of both goods and tourism,” ECLAC indicated.

Latin America, the unequal region in the world and the most affected by the pandemic grew by 6.9 % in 2021, a rebound after the 6.8 % slump recorded in 2020, the most significant recession in 120 years.

The slowdown in the region began in the second half of 2022, which closed with an estimated growth of 3.7%, according to ECLAC, which has not yet delivered the final figure.

Dominican Republic signs agreement with US hospital

Yesterday, the Dominican Republic government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Montefiore Hospital and the Santo Domingo Autonomous University (UASD) to improve healthcare for Creoles and train Dominican doctors. The agreement was signed by the Dominican Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, and the UASD rector, Editrudis Beltrán, alongside the executive director of the Montefiore Hospital, Dr. Phillip Ozuah, in a ceremony led by President Luis Abinader at the National Palace’s Green Room.

The agreement aims to enable Dominicans living in the United States to access healthcare with Medicare insurance and to facilitate collaboration in research and project activities. The partnership seeks to enhance academic and technological aspects to enable health professionals to acquire new experiences and improve healthcare delivery.

During the ceremony, President Abinader highlighted the importance of working without political or ideological differences in the healthcare sector, saying that the agreement would help to improve the quality of life and save lives. He also noted that the Dominican government seeks to purchase ambulances, masks, and other healthcare items at better prices through Montefiore.

The Dominican Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, described the alliance with Montefiore Hospital as transcendent, particularly because of the institution’s demonstrated solidarity with the Dominican community. The alliance will also support the professional development of human resources in health.

The agreement received support from the senator for the 31st district in the New York Senate, Adriano Espaillat.

Venezuelan Laser opens new hub at La Romana airport

Laser Airlines, a Venezuelan airline, has established a new operations center (hub) at La Romana International Airport to enhance the travel experience of its passengers on flights between Caracas and the Dominican Republic, along with subsequent connections. Starting today, April 24th, the airport will receive Laser Airlines operations on this route, ensuring a smooth transfer process and greater comfort for passengers.

According to Venezuelan media, Eliana Verkooke, Marketing Director, highlighted that La Romana International Airport is equipped with three terminals and an infrastructure designed to provide all necessary airport facilities to travelers. The airport also boasts attractive commercial premises and a diverse range of gastronomy spaces to guarantee a pleasant waiting time for customers.

Verkooke further stated that the airport will enable passengers to enjoy the benefits of the route, such as avoiding migration procedures, baggage collection at the final destination, and a comfortable stay during the connection.

In addition to the new hub, regular flights to and from Santo Domingo will continue to operate at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Hyatt hotels in Punta Cana aimed at the Pet Friendly trend

Punta Cana.- Pet-friendly travel has become a global trend, and a number of Hyatt hotels in the Caribbean now offer a Pet-Friendly service for a vacation stay that includes the whole family, pets included. Hotels such as Zoetry, Dreams, Secrets, Breathless, and Sunscape Resorts & Spa, which are part of the Inclusive Collection under the World of Hyatt, provide the option for small breed dogs weighing up to 10 kg in various exotic locations, including Cancun, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Panama, and the Mexican Pacific.

“We understand that pets are a part of the family, and many travelers prefer not to leave them alone during vacations. That’s why several Caribbean hotels offer this alternative for pet-loving travelers while protecting the stay and travel experience of other guests,” said Gonzalo Trullen, Commercial Manager of Mundoviajes.

For an additional fee of approximately $65, dog-friendly rooms come equipped with food and water dishes, rope toys, a small plastic bone, waste bags, and a room sign indicating the presence of a dog, making the stay more comfortable for both travelers.

However, pet owners should keep in mind that certain considerations must be followed, such as not leaving pets unattended in a guest room for more than two hours at a time or overnight. Moreover, the “dog-friendly room” sign must be displayed when leaving the pet alone in the room.

Trullen further noted that all dogs must be leashed or kept in a carrier when not in the room and can only be in designated areas of the hotel grounds, with no access to the pool, gym, spa, retail stores, golf facilities, or the beach.

Interested travelers should contact their travel agency to inquire about the limited number of pet-friendly rooms. At check-in, the owner will need to provide a veterinarian vaccination certificate and proof of flea and tick treatment. It is also important to review the guidelines of each country regarding the entry of pets.

Mundoviajes is a Commercial Representative (GSA) of Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, with brands including Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. The company represents more than 75 “All Inclusive” hotels in beach destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.

DR expects historic rice crop in 2023

The Abinader administration has pledged some RD$400 million to ensure stable prices to consumers for what is expected to be the largest rice harvest in history. These monies will provide a sizable subsidy for every fanega of rice harvested and provide seeds for this year’s crop.

On Saturday, 22 April 2023, Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz Lopez presented a check for RD$300 million to the National Federation of Rice Farmers, and another for RD$42 million for farmers to purchase certified seeds.

Duarte province concentrates much of the rice production in the country, contributing in the area of RD$45 billion to the economy. Hundreds of thousands of persons depend on the rice crop in one way or another.

Talking to hundreds of rice producers when visiting Duarte province last week, President Abinader said that his administration is working to guarantee bigger and more sustainable rice harvests in the future. He noted that the spring harvest was larger than last year’s and that this year’s crop will reach well over 14 million quintals (units of 100 pounds), a record.

Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Diario Libre

24 April 2023

Dolores Vicioso