Mitur: investments in real estate tourism amount to US$10.7 billion

Santo Domingo.- Investments in tourist constructions in the Dominican Republic have reached a total of $10.799 billion, with real estate projects leading the way, according to Jacqueline Mora, the Vice Minister of Tourism. So far, the Tourism Development Council (Confotur) has approved 187 investment projects in the country.

During a speech at the second Expo Forum of Culture, Strategies, Business, and Innovation (CENI) in Santiago, Mora highlighted that real estate investment tops the list with $4.527 billion, followed by the hotel sector with $4.444 billion, and infrastructure in third place with $756 million.

Mora further explained that the accumulated foreign direct investment in the tourism and real estate sectors accounted for 37% of the total accumulated foreign investment in 2022, amounting to $13.144 billion.

Analyzing these figures and other indicators, Mora emphasized the need to continue promoting the tourism and construction sectors, as they represent the future of the country and are vital for its development. She noted that construction plays a crucial role in supporting tourism infrastructure and acknowledged the pioneering role of Ciudad Corazón (Santiago) in real estate tourism.

Mora also took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) during the three years of the current government’s management.

Puerto Plata, magnet for cruises: will receive 30 vessels in July

Puerto Plata.- Puerto Plata is set to welcome a total of 30 cruise ships during the month of July. The arrivals will take place through the Amber Cove and Taino Bay tourist ports, as indicated by Atahualpa Paulino, the northern regional director of tourism.

Out of the 30 ships scheduled to arrive, 16 will dock at the Amber Cove Port, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation. The remaining 14 ships will arrive through the Taino Bay Port, which belongs to the ITM Group.

Despite being in the low season for the cruise tourism sector in the Caribbean, Puerto Plata continues to attract a significant number of cruise ships. This demonstrates the destination’s appeal and popularity among cruise lines.

Dominican Republic breaks record of passengers by air in the first 5 months of the year

Santo Domingo.- The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) announced on Tuesday that the Dominican Republic has achieved a significant milestone in air transportation. Between January and May of this year, a record-breaking 7,180,905 passengers were transported to and from the country. This figure represents a remarkable 17% growth compared to the same period last year.

José Marte Piantini, the president of the JAC, expressed his satisfaction with the progress and stated that air transport in the country has experienced rapid development since August 2020, becoming the growth leader in the region. He also mentioned that the government’s implemented policies, under the Civil Aviation Board, have played a crucial role in establishing air transport as a competitive sector. These policies include a comprehensive set of measures aimed at increasing traveler flows to and from the country.

Piantini further revealed that the Punta Cana Airport has been the busiest, serving as a gateway for 4,069,335 passengers during the first five months of 2023. Las Américas Airport follows closely behind with 2,062,795 passengers. These two airports alone account for 83% of the total passenger traffic in and out of the country. The Cibao Airport transported 772,692 passengers, while the Puerto Plata Airport served 362,421 passengers during the same period.

Emphasizing the commitment to improving air connectivity, Piantini mentioned the collaborative efforts of the JAC with other institutions in the sector. One notable achievement is the recent agreement signed with Cuba, enabling additional Dominican airlines to enter the Cuban market, which was previously limited to only two operators.

The strategic approach of the JAC has resulted in the establishment of new airlines, the introduction of new routes, and the formation of new agreements. Consequently, more travelers are choosing the Dominican Republic as their preferred destination. Piantini expressed optimism, stating that the country aims to surpass the milestone of 17 million passengers transported through its airport terminals by the end of this year.

Dominican Republic wins award as best tourist destination in the Caribbean

Philadelphia, United States.– Tourism Minister David Collado received here Wednesday an award recognizing the Dominican Republic as the Best Caribbean Island as a tourist destination.

The prestigious recognition was announced at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards by U.S.-based travel magazine Global Traveler.

Minister Collado expressed his gratitude for the award, which has been given to the Dominican Republic for the past three years.

“This new award belongs to all the people who every day welcome tourists with their smile and unique kindness, my people of the Dominican Republic,” Collado emphasized.

This award from Leisure Lifestyle Awards adds to the string of recognition the country has received for its overwhelming tourism success story over the past three years.

Among these recognitions, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared the Dominican Republic as the first country in the world to achieve full recovery after the pandemic.

More than 600,000 tourists use the Uber app in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Uber platform has become a popular choice for tourists visiting the Dominican Republic, offering convenient transportation options and access to a diverse range of services. Since its introduction in the country, over 600,000 tourists have utilized Uber for their transportation needs, covering a total distance of more than 43 million kilometers. Additionally, through the Uber Eats app, approximately 119,000 tourists have placed over 900,000 food orders.

Carolina Coto, Uber’s Communications Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, expressed the company’s commitment to promoting tourism in the Dominican Republic and providing accessible solutions for both locals and visitors. Uber aims to enhance vacation experiences by revolutionizing transportation and catering to the daily needs of users and businesses.

Uber has become an integral part of the tourism landscape in the Dominican Republic. Notably, more than 900,000 trips have been taken by tourists to and from Las Américas International Airport. The platform is particularly popular among visitors from the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil, who also account for the highest number of orders through the Uber Eats app.

Among the top destinations frequented by tourists are Multicentro Churchill, the Colonial Zone, and the Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel. The positive experience of tourists is evident as 94% of drivers have given them a 5-star rating during their trips.

Tourism, among the sectors that grew the most between January-May in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Ministry of Economy has reported an increase in tourism, trade, and agricultural exports in the country during the period of January to May, highlighting the positive performance of these sectors so far this year.

In May, the tourism sector showed positive data with 518,932 non-resident foreigners arriving in the country, representing a 14.5% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. The total number of visitors for the year reached 2.8 million, marking a 20.3% year-on-year variation.

Agricultural exports also experienced growth, reaching $93.9 million in May, a 16.1% increase compared to the previous year. The total agricultural exports for the year amounted to $358 million, with a 3.5% year-on-year variation. This growth can be attributed to increased exports of cocoa beans to Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as preserved fruits to the Netherlands.

The report also indicates that there were 2,282,972 active workers in the Dominican Social Security System (SDSS) in May, reflecting a cumulative growth of 0.6% compared to December 2022. In addition, formal job registrations increased by 0.5% in May compared to December.

These positive indicators reflect the resilience and performance of the Dominican Republic’s economy in key sectors such as tourism, trade, and agriculture.

Industries contribute 58.5% to economic growth in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic experienced significant economic growth between 2021 and 2022, with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) playing a leading role in driving this expansion.

According to a study conducted by macroeconomics expert Magín J. Díaz and presented by the MICM, sectors such as free zones, local manufacturing, commerce, construction, transportation, storage, and other services contributed 58.5% to the overall economic growth during the mentioned period.

The study analyzed the contribution of MICM-related activities to the Dominican economy based on available statistics, focusing on five pillars: economic growth, foreign currency generation, labor market, contribution to the treasury, and productive chains.

Díaz highlighted the significant impact of these sectors on the economy, stating, “They were the sectors that fueled 60% of the economy. Not many sectors have exceeded their pre-COVID trends, with free zones being the most prominent, exceeding their trend by 10%.”

Magín Díaz presented these findings at an event commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs. He pointed out that positive developments in foreign exchange-generating activities, including foreign direct investment and remittances, have contributed to exchange rate stability and bolstered the country’s gross international reserves, which represented 12.7% of GDP by the end of 2022, surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 10% of GDP.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, shared insights from the study, stating that the economic sectors within the MICM’s scope accounted for two-thirds of total sales in the economy and over 60% of market production. He emphasized that these sectors contributed nearly 60% of the accumulated GDP growth between 2021 and 2022. Notably, the manufacturing industry in free zones exhibited a GDP growth rate 10% higher than its pre-pandemic trend.

Bisonó further highlighted the role of foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic’s economic recovery, noting that almost 40% of the FDI received by the country during 2021-2022 was directed toward sectors under the MICM’s purview. Additionally, these sectors accounted for approximately 80% of the country’s goods exports during the same period.

The Dominican Republic surpasses Brazil and Argentina in capturing income from tourism

Santo Domingo.- In 2022, the Dominican Republic achieved an impressive milestone by surpassing the economies of countries twice its size. It emerged as the third highest earner of foreign currency through tourism, outperforming Brazil by nearly 50% and Argentina by over 130%. It even exceeded the combined tourism revenues of five Central American countries.

Andrés Marranzini, the executive vice president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), attributes this achievement to the country’s diverse tourist offerings. Each day, the Dominican Republic is expanding its range of hotels and introducing new activities such as horseback riding in the ocean or golf courses.

“As a sector, we have been working hard in recent years to increase the daily expenditure of each tourist. One way to accomplish this is by incorporating additional activities and services within the tourist destinations. This provides visitors with more opportunities to spend money and enhances their overall experience within the tourism ecosystem,” explained Marranzini.

He emphasized that the strategy is focused on elevating the quality of the tourist destinations. This is being accomplished through investments in hotels, as reported by El Dinero, ensuring that continuous improvements are made to meet the evolving demands and expectations of travelers.

Dominican Republic wins award as best tourist destination in the Caribbean

Philadelphia, United States.– Tourism Minister David Collado received here Wednesday an award recognizing the Dominican Republic as the Best Caribbean Island as a tourist destination.

The prestigious recognition was announced at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards by U.S.-based travel magazine Global Traveler.

Minister Collado expressed his gratitude for the award, which has been given to the Dominican Republic for the past three years.

“This new award belongs to all the people who every day welcome tourists with their smile and unique kindness, my people of the Dominican Republic,” Collado emphasized.

This award from Leisure Lifestyle Awards adds to the string of recognition the country has received for its overwhelming tourism success story over the past three years.

Among these recognitions, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared the Dominican Republic as the first country in the world to achieve full recovery after the pandemic.

Dominican Government signs agreement with Israel for Water Management Master Plan

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader led the signing of an agreement on Monday for the development of a Water Management Master Plan in the Dominican Republic. The plan aims to enable the efficient and effective management of water resources, creating conditions for long-term sustainability. The agreement was signed by the executive director of the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (Inapa), Wellington Arnaud, and the president of the Israeli state institution Mekorot, Yitzhak Aharonovitch.

President Abinader highlighted Israel’s expertise in water management and expressed the government’s intention to learn from best practices around the world and apply them to the national reality. He emphasized the importance of the agreement in conserving and maximizing water efficiency, stating that it strengthens the government’s commitment to the National Pact for Water and its priority of providing efficient and quality water services to every Dominican home.

The President acknowledged that water management is a significant challenge, particularly in the face of climate change and drought conditions. He emphasized the need for collective action and urged the public to recognize the water crisis and act accordingly. The agreement not only supports the guidelines of Inapa but also integrates with the broader Water Pact, enabling the application of the plan’s recommendations across the country.

President Abinader expressed gratitude to the Israeli government for their collaboration and emphasized the friendly relations between the two countries in addressing shared challenges. He reiterated his government’s commitment to improving the quality of life by prioritizing water as a fundamental objective, allocating a significantly increased budget, and undertaking substantial efforts to mitigate the impact of droughts.

Bahia Principe: Samaná and La Romana, destinations with the highest demand for summer

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts has reported that its lodging establishments in Spain are currently experiencing an average occupancy rate of 91%, while worldwide, the average occupancy stands at 81%. This surge in demand over the past few months has resulted in an 8% increase in sales compared to last year for the Spanish market and a 6% increase for the global market within the hotel division of Grupo Piñero.

Tenerife is identified as the most in-demand destination in Spain, while the Dominican Republic takes the top spot globally. Specifically, the regions of Samaná and La Romana in the Dominican Republic have shown the most significant growth compared to 2022, attributed to the increased number of Soltour flights.

Lluisa Salord, the corporate commercial director of Grupo Piñero, believes that these figures reflect the positive state of Spanish tourism and the consistent demand from both domestic and international travelers, despite the context of inflation.

The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France have shown the highest growth as source markets for Spain, with the UK being the leading exporter of tourists. On a global scale, the United States, Europe, and Canada are the standout markets contributing to the growth.

Assessing the impact of cruises in Puerto Plata: Tourism Cluster and University collaborate

The Tourism Cluster of the Puerto Plata Destination (CTDPP) partnered with the School of Gastronomy and Tourism of the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to present an analysis of the socioeconomic impact of cruises in the city of Puerto Plata. The analysis was based on feedback from visitors surveyed at the ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay.

The initiative is part of the CTDPP’s efforts to develop a market intelligence system that collects and analyzes data and statistics in a systematic, objective, and transparent manner. This enables a better understanding of the tourism sector’s behavior, different niches, and trends, facilitating appropriate strategic planning for the destination’s harmonious development.

The meeting took place at the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata, where Juan Pablo González, the technical director of the institution, described the initiative as highly positive. It aligns with the Chamber of Commerce’s objective of assessing how cruise activity benefits local businesses and service providers.

Birgitt Heinsen, the president of the CTDPP, emphasized the importance of having a data platform that provides a better perspective and direction for improving the quality and performance of the destination. She expressed gratitude to PUCMM for their involvement, as well as the support from Amber Cove and Taíno Bay ports, the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), the Chamber of Commerce, and all other stakeholders who have shown receptiveness to the project.

Ambra Attus, the executive director of the Cluster, explained that the presentation aims to establish a tool for continuous use rather than presenting definitive data. This tool is crucial for understanding the needs and opportunities related to visitor experiences and achieving better destination management.

Ina Percival, the director of the University’s School of Tourism and Gastronomy, emphasized the significance of involving students and teachers in this type of research. Their participation fosters transparency and collaboration between academia and the tourism sector, marking a significant step forward.

Dominican Republic chosen as host for 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has been selected by the FIFA Council as the host country for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This historic decision marks the first time the Dominican Republic will host a World Cup event and the second time a Caribbean nation has been chosen as a host.

In addition to the Dominican Republic, the FIFA Council also designated other host countries for upcoming tournaments. Indonesia will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™, Colombia will host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024, and Uzbekistan will host the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

FIFA has stated that the schedule for these competitions will be confirmed at a later date.

Rubén García, the president of the Dominican Football Federation, expressed his delight with the country being chosen to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup, emphasizing the significance of this opportunity for the Dominican Republic.

Government will allocate more than RD$1 billion to strengthen hospital supplies

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Government, through the Essential Medicines and Logistics Support Central Program (Promese/Cal), has allocated a budget of 1,098,585,524.70 for the purchase of medicines and health supplies. This initiative aims to strengthen the supply of hospitals and public health centers across the country from August to December 2023.

Promese/Cal conducted a transparent and compliant process for the National Public Tender reference: PROMESE/CAL-CCC-LPN-2023-0002, in accordance with the Law on Public Purchases and Contracts 340-06.

Adolfo Pérez, the general director of Promese/Cal, explained that the purchase aims to ensure that essential medicines are readily available to the population attending public health centers in a timely manner. This extraordinary purchase was made possible by the government’s increased allocation to Promese/Cal in the 2023 budget, reflecting President Luis Abinader’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the Dominican people.

Omar García, the director of medicines at the Health Service (SNS), praised the transparency demonstrated by Promese/Cal in its procurement processes. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the SNS, led by Dr. Mario Lama, Promese/Cal, and the Treasury to increase the budget for purchasing more medicines and supplies. This adjustment will help meet the needs of hospitals and primary care centers.

The tender included 361 items, such as vitamins, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, anthelmintics, antidiabetics, antimicrobials, inhibitors, erythropoietin, insulin, spinal needles, serum downpipes, cannulas, catheters, syringes, and others.

Seventy bidders participated in the highly competitive process, with 1,206 product samples received. Of these, 889 were deemed compliant, while 309 were non-compliant. Some lines were left empty due to non-submission of samples, non-compliance with requirements, or disqualification.

The event was conducted publicly at a hotel in the capital and broadcast virtually. It was attended by public notaries, bidders, a Compliance Officer from the Public Procurement Department, the Promese/Cal purchasing committee, and members of the media.

The indirect incidence of storm Bret would begin to be felt in the Dominican Republic on Friday

The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has provided an update on tropical storm Bret, which is currently located approximately 1,000 km east of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The storm is moving west at a speed of about 26 kilometers per hour, with maximum winds reaching 95 km/h and higher gusts.

Onamet advises the various civil protection institutions and the general population to stay informed by following the bulletins issued by the National Forecast Center.

Starting on Friday, the indirect influence of Bret’s circulation will begin to impact the Dominican Republic. Changes in wind direction to the northeast will be observed, accompanied by a slight increase in wind speed. This will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms across various regions including the northeast, southeast (including Greater Santo Domingo), southwest, and the Central Cordillera in the afternoon. These showers will continue intermittently into the night and early morning hours of Saturday.

For Wednesday, June 21, temporary showers are expected along the south coast in the early hours of the day, specifically in provinces such as Peravia, Azua, and Barahona. These showers will dissipate as the morning progresses.

In the afternoon, the country will experience scattered clouds and mostly clear skies. Isolated downpours and possible thunderstorms are anticipated in the northwest, northeast, and central mountain range, affecting provinces such as Santiago Rodríguez, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Santiago, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Plata, and Hato Mayor. During the night, a tropical wave will bring slightly increased moisture, leading to scattered showers in eastern parts of the country, along the Caribbean coast, and the Central Cordillera.

On Thursday, June 22, the available humidity in the air mass, combined with the passage of a tropical wave south of the country, will likely result in some morning downpours along the Caribbean coast. In the afternoon, with the effects of the daytime cycle, scattered downpours, and isolated thunderstorms are expected in provinces of the northeast, southeast, central mountain range, and the border area until the early hours of the night.

Onamet is also monitoring another tropical wave located southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This wave has a high potential (around 70%) of reaching tropical cyclone status within the next 48 hours. However, its current position and projected path do not pose any threat to the Dominican Republic at this time.

Pedernales milestone: it will receive its first cruise next December

Pedernales, DR.- Sigmund Freud, the General Director of the Public Private Alliance (DGAPP), has announced that December 16 of this year will be a historic milestone for Pedernales as it marks the arrival of the first cruise ship to the Port of Cabo Rojo. This date will officially open the province as a tourist destination on an international level.

Freud explained that the Dominican State has already invested approximately $80 to $90 million in the area, and there are plans to invest an additional $150 to $200 million by the end of the year. This investment includes the construction of three hotel buildings with a total of 1,600 rooms.

The developments are complemented by the construction of an airport in the province, estimated to cost between $70 to $75 million.

Freud emphasized that while the government is making significant public investments, they are also seeking private sector partners to ensure the success of the Pedernales project. The goal is to find a private partner to invest the capital needed to complete the first phase, which amounts to approximately $1.3 billion for the construction of the remaining six hotels. Additionally, the Port of Cabo Rojo’s construction work is well underway, and the arrival of the first cruise ships is expected in December.

Freud highlighted the progress being made on the repair and expansion of the Enriquillo-Pedernales highway, which is set to be completed before the end of the year.

The Port of Cabo Rojo will feature four docking positions, a passenger reception center, a water park, an interactive zone, playgrounds, sunbathing areas, a shopping area, a spa, and a main restaurant.

The Dominican Republic and Canada issue a joint statement and highlight the strength of their bilateral relations

Santo Domingo.- The governments of Canada and the Dominican Republic have issued a joint statement emphasizing their strong bilateral relations and longstanding partnership, particularly in the realm of regional security.

Following a call between President Luis Abinader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 30, both countries committed to enhancing their cooperation to address the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Their objective is to support Haitian-led solutions and work towards achieving stability.

The joint statement recognizes that restoring stability in Haiti will alleviate the disproportionate burden on the Dominican Republic, its sole neighboring country. This burden includes social tensions and budgetary pressures on Dominican social services.

Both countries acknowledge that the magnitude of the crisis in Haiti necessitates increased international cooperation in areas such as development, humanitarian assistance, and security. This involves building capacities through the provision of equipment, technical assistance, and training.

Efforts are already underway in Haiti through the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the mobilization of additional resources from Canada and other partners. Canada recently allocated an additional $100 million for this purpose.

Furthermore, the joint statement acknowledges the Dominican Republic’s collaboration with the requests of Haitian authorities to enhance security, facilitate access to strategic goods like fuel, and support the safety of international diplomatic personnel stationed in Haiti, among other measures. Both countries also recognize the ongoing cooperation between regional governments, Haitian authorities, and international organizations such as the United Nations, as well as the efforts led by the United States and CARICOM, among others, to restore the rule of law and address food insecurity in Haiti.

Canada and the Dominican Republic commit to continued collaboration with the international community to support a Haitian-led, long-term solution to the ongoing crisis. They will expand coordination in Haiti, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere as necessary, including through increased diplomatic presence at Canadian embassies in Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo.

Tourism and businessmen from Santiago plan an investment of more than 400 million pesos

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, has reached an agreement with the business sector in Santiago to invest over 400 million pesos in promoting tourism in the province. The meeting, led by the organization Compromiso Santiago and attended by representatives from various economic sectors such as the airport, hotels, restaurants, commerce, clinics, and travel agencies, focused on identifying key areas that need attention in order to position Santiago as one of the country’s main tourist destinations.

Collado explained that the initial investments will be directed towards the creation of the City of Santiago Brand, a project to be coordinated and executed by the private sector. Another priority is the intervention and improvement of the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, one of the province’s main tourist attractions. “We are committed to the tourism development of Santiago. That’s why we took Santiago to the Anato Fair in Colombia, and that’s why we want to make the necessary investments in partnership with the private sector to promote the city’s brand and increase tourist arrivals to the area,” stated Collado during the meeting.

The meeting was coordinated by businessman Manuel Estrella and attended by prominent figures such as Ricardo Founder from Compromiso Santiago, Carlos Iglesias from the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santiago, Sandy Filpo from the Association of Merchants and Industrialists, Ramón Paulino from the Santiago Tourism Cluster, and Fernando Capellán, Augusto Reyes, Edmundo Aja, among other business leaders.

In addition to the investments, the meeting outlined the necessary guidelines for developing a tourism strategy for Santiago de los Caballeros based on four fundamental pillars to be defined by the private sector.

Manuel Estrella expressed gratitude to Minister Collado for the opportunity to collaborate with the private sector in driving tourism and development initiatives. He highlighted the importance of seizing this opportunity to promote the city.

Ricardo Founder emphasized that as part of the Santiago Commitment, the agreed-upon plans will be implemented with monthly follow-ups to ensure the successful relaunch of tourism in Santiago.

Cruise ship boom triggers job creation in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- The northern regional director of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), Atahualpa Paulino, described the generation of jobs in the province of Puerto Plata as excellent, where he assured that it has increased by more than 200%, due to the boom in cruise ships.

“More than 200% of jobs have been activated. You can’t even walk in the historic center of Puerto Plata because it’s overcrowded with tourists,” said Paulino.

The official said that Puerto Plata has had a boom in cruise tourism, to the point of receiving around a million tourists in the area. He said that he anticipates that some 29 cruise ships will arrive this month.

He assured that all the tourist points of Puerto Plata, as well as the neighboring provinces such as Santiago and even the municipality of Moca, have benefited from this boom in cruise passengers.

He highlighted that the cruise passenger spends an average of 100 dollars and the crew about 80 dollars, according to Accento.

He said that the nationalities of the cruise passengers are very varied, but that they mainly come from the United States since they leave from Florida. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Europe, and even Asian countries also arrive.

Likewise, the director highlighted that they are working on the conditioning of several areas such as the beautification of the boardwalk of the province and its surroundings, the readaptation of Sosúa beach, the road that leads to the northern beaches was finished, and security is very good. “We are working hand in hand with the other authorities in each tourist spot in Puerto Plata.”

Paulino spoke about the subject when participating in “Tourism in Every Corner” in Moca organized by the Ministry of Tourism, which aims to promote domestic tourism for the local market through the promotion of culture, gastronomy, crafts, ecotourism, and the complementary community offer.

Dominican Republic participates in meeting on Aviation Security

The Eleventh Meeting of the Regional Group on Aviation Security and Facilitation has commenced, with delegates, representatives, directors, and authorities from 20 countries, including the Dominican Republic as the host country. The event, taking place from today until June 23, focuses on regional issues concerning member States and territories of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Hosted by the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) and the Specialized Corps in Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC), the meeting brings together participants from Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Uruguay, Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, Belize, Haiti, and other countries in the region.

During the meeting, attending delegations will receive updates on initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of facilitation committees, the progress of the project for passengers with disabilities, and the proposal for raising awareness and monitoring the Roadmap of the Identification Program of ICAO Travelers (TRIP) in the region. Additionally, discussions will cover the assessment of progress in facilitation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and electronic passports (ePassports).

The Eleventh Meeting of the Regional Group aims to provide a platform for seeking solutions and addressing issues related to Aviation Security and Facilitation in the region.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Civil Aviation Board, José Ernesto Marte Piantini, highlighted significant achievements and progress in coordinating public policies in favor of both aspects. Marte Piantini emphasized the Dominican Republic’s active efforts to strengthen facilitation in light of new challenges, stating that it is a commitment shared with other government institutions to enhance implementation levels in the facilitation of air transport.

He also noted that this meeting positions the Dominican Republic as a global reference in Aviation Security and Facilitation for the industry. The gathering will analyze trends and developments in commercial aviation over the course of a week, with the hope that the outcomes will provide solutions for this crucial sector of the regional economy.

The activity is sponsored by the JAC and CESAC and includes representatives from North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Attendees also include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (CLAC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as delegates from other states, international organizations, and airlines.