Brunei Hotel Boutique opens its doors in Boca Chica with helipad

Boca Chica.- The Brunei Hotel Boutique, nestled in the charming locale of Boca Chica, was meticulously designed to offer an idyllic retreat for families and friends, encapsulated by its motto, “It is an abode of peace.”

During an inaugural ceremony to introduce the hotel’s services, Ylka Taveras, the executive director, emphasized its distinctiveness as a sanctuary of freedom and tranquility, capable of soothing both mind and spirit. She conveyed gratitude to God on behalf of the owners, Perla Álvarez, renowned Cuban baseball player Yadier Álvarez, and landowner Mr. Arturo Zorrilla, for enabling them to establish a luxurious haven for their esteemed clientele.

The hotel boasts an enticing gastronomic selection, featuring a diverse array of exquisite à la carte dishes and bars offering an extensive menu of both national and international beverages, complemented by an impressive wine collection from various corners of the globe.

Taveras elaborated on their offerings, “We have a 24-hour restaurant, the Brunei restaurant, 24-hour bars, lobby bar, and Brunei bar. Our services encompass a sauna, a 24-hour gym, a swimming pool open until 3:00 am, areas for cycling, basketball, four-wheeling, tennis, a Kids Club, a fishing area, a playground, beach excursions, private rooms, live seasonal shows, and Wi-Fi access.”

The Brunei Hotel Boutique features 12 Caonabo Suite rooms, each offering views of the pool and garden. These rooms are equipped with amenities such as a minibar, television, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a safe, and an iron, with a maximum occupancy of up to 6 people.

Additionally, there are 7 Junior Suite Guarinex rooms, affording delightful garden views, and equipped with the same modern conveniences. These rooms are designed for a maximum occupancy of 2 people.

For guests seeking the Villa Caya coa-type rooms, there are 5 available, also with garden views and standard amenities. These rooms accommodate 2 to 4 people.

The hotel’s crowning jewel is the Villa Deluxe Anacaona, spanning two levels and comprising 4 rooms. This spacious villa includes a private pool, an expansive garden, a terrace, a balcony, a private bar, billiards, and living areas, along with essential amenities such as Wi-Fi, television, air conditioning, a safe, and an iron. The Villa Deluxe Anacaona can accommodate up to 12 people, with a minimum requirement of 6.

Taveras also shared that the hotel, conveniently situated just half an hour from the National District, provides a stable area for guests who relish horseback riding on fine-gaited horses and yearn to immerse themselves in nature. Furthermore, the property boasts a heliport, adding to the convenience and accessibility of this tranquil oasis.

Grupo Piñero’s first hotel in the Dominican Republic is transformed into a police training school

San Juan.- President Luis Abinader has officially inaugurated the new Police Training Center in San Juan, Dominican Republic. This center will play a vital role in training and qualifying approximately 3,000 new members of the National Police as part of the ongoing Police Reform program.

Notably, this training center is housed within the first hotel established by the Piñero Group in the Dominican Republic, the Bahia Principe Grand San Juan. The Piñero Group remodeled the hotel to create the Gaspar Hernández Police Training School.

Encarna Piñero, CEO of Grupo Piñero, expressed her pride in being part of the opening of the Gaspar Hernández Police Training Academy Campus, which will play a crucial role in preparing agents responsible for street security. She also emphasized the government’s commitment to repurpose the Gran Bahía Príncipe Río San Juan space for training future National Police officers.

The Bahia Principe Grand San Juan hotel, inaugurated on July 23, 1995, represented a significant milestone for the Piñero Group as its first international hotel investment outside of Spain. Piñero acknowledged the importance of security in the tourism sector, highlighting that safety is a critical factor for tourists visiting the Dominican Republic and other parts of the world.

It was clarified that the relationship between Grupo Piñero and the Dominican State is based on a rental contract, and the National Police will assume responsibility for maintaining and operating the facility.

During the inauguration ceremony, the president of the Piñero Group, Isabel García Lorca, symbolically handed over the key to the training complex.

President Abinader highlighted that the training program at the modern center is designed to equip new police officers with the skills and abilities needed to serve the citizens effectively. He emphasized that the opening of this center represents a significant step in restructuring the police educational system, aligning with the technical commission’s vision for police reform to create a comprehensive training model over six years.

The event was attended by various government officials, including the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos; the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Franklin García Fermín; the General Administrator of the Reserve Bank, Samuel Pereyra; and the General Director of the National Police, Major General Eduardo Alberto Then, among others.

Dominican Republic achieves important advances in World Bank governance indicators, according to DIGEIG

Santo Domingo.- On World Ethics Day, the General Directorate of Ethics and Government Integrity (DIGEIG) highlighted the Dominican Republic’s significant progress in the six governance indicators of the World Bank (WB) over the past three years, based on data provided by the Ministry of Finance (MH).

The indicators that have shown improvement in the Dominican Republic include control of corruption, rule of law, voice, and responsibility, the effectiveness of the Government, regulatory quality, political stability, and absence of violence.

Notably, there has been substantial progress in the Government effectiveness indicator, with the country moving from the 38.1 percentile to the 50.0 percentile in the last three years. This progress places the Dominican Republic among the top-performing countries in this regard.

In the rule of law indicator, the country has improved by 7.14 percentage points since 2019, reaching the 50.5th percentile. Similarly, the indicator for political stability and absence of violence has advanced by 8.02 percentage points.

Regarding regulatory quality, there has been a 1.39 percentage point improvement in the current government’s management. Additionally, the indicator for voice and responsibility in the Dominican Republic has seen a positive shift of 4.83 percentage points, reversing a declining trend observed since 2012.

These World Bank indicators play a crucial role in enhancing the country’s credit profile and advancing toward the goal of achieving investment-grade status. This, in turn, has a direct impact on public finances and the national economy.

World Ethics Day, celebrated on the third Wednesday of October, serves as a reminder of the importance of ethics in shaping a better future, emphasizing its significance for individuals and organizations alike.

Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club named Best Boutique Hotel in DR

Santo Domingo.- Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club was named Best Boutique Hotel in the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Boutique Hotel Awards 2023, presented by Caribbean Journal magazine.

The hotel, designed by renowned Oscar de la Renta, was chosen by readers of Caribbean Journal and experts in Caribbean travel, who selected the best boutique hotels in the Caribbean region.

This year, the Caribbean boutique hotels received over 50,000 votes from Caribbean Journal readers from around the world.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, our readers have spoken,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal.

“To be selected for these awards by frequent traveler is an exceptionally high honor for boutique hotels that exemplify the best of Caribbean hospitality,” Britell pointed out.

Second Innovation Conference for sustainable water management inaugurated

Santo Domingo.- The II IES-Business Innovation and Linkage Conference, held at the Central University of the East (UCE), focused on the theme “Innovative Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Eastern Region.” This event aimed to promote scientific, technological, and innovation solutions to address the water resource challenges in the Eastern Region of the Dominican Republic.

Government and academic institutions collaborated on this initiative, including the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), the Water Cabinet (GA), APEC University (UNAPEC), and the UNESCO-APEC Chair for Sustainable Water Management.

The challenges faced by the Eastern Region regarding water resources include scarcity, pollution, and climate change. Innovative technological solutions were proposed to address these issues, including technologies for water reuse, detection and prevention of water pollution, and adaptation to climate change. These solutions aim to improve water use efficiency, reduce pollution, and mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources.

The MESCYT is actively working on establishing Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) centers of excellence in higher education institutions to accelerate innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and applied research. These centers are crucial for training competent human resources and reducing dependence on foreign technological solutions.

The conference featured the participation of prominent academic and government leaders, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the public sector, private sector, and civil society to find technological solutions for sustainable water management in the Eastern Region.

Cabo Rojo: construction of the first three hotels and cruise terminal advances

Cabo Rojo.- The Cabo Rojo Tourism Development project in the Pedernales province of the Dominican Republic is making significant progress in its first phase. This phase includes the construction of buildings for three hotels, a cruise terminal, road infrastructure, hydrosanitary and electrical works. Preparations are also underway for the international airport in the community of Oviedo.

Several prominent hotel chains, including Iberostar, Hilton, Marriott, Sunwing, Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, and Karisma Hotels & Resorts, have expressed interest in participating in this development. This project aims to create a unique tourist destination known for its ecotourism, pristine beaches, and appeal to adventure tourism.

President Luis Abinader has shown strong commitment to developing tourism in Cabo Rojo, with plans to receive the first cruise passengers at Port Cabo Rojo on December 18. It is projected that the first hotels will be operational by the end of 2024, and construction of the airport will have begun.

The government’s support for this project includes the delivery of title certificates to those who previously occupied the land where the airport will be built in Oviedo, ensuring legal ownership and access to credit. Spanish hotel groups have also expressed their interest in establishing their brands in Cabo Rojo, with Iberostar being selected for the first phase, and potential involvement from the Meliá hotel chain in a second phase.

The development of Cabo Rojo as a tourist destination holds great potential for the Dominican Republic and the region, and it has garnered attention from both domestic and international stakeholders.

The Minister of Tourism meets with the Secretary of Transportation of the United States

Washington.- The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, met with the United States Secretary of Transportation, Peter Buttigieg, and a delegation from his team in Washington, DC, last Friday. The discussion revolved around enhancing air connectivity between Dominican airlines and the United States to reach an Open Skies agreement.

Secretary Buttigieg expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration between the United States and the Dominican Republic on aviation matters, aiming to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.

Collado emphasized the Tourism Cabinet’s priority, led by President Luis Abinader, to strengthen air connectivity for Dominican airlines, ensuring they have equal opportunities compared to American counterparts.

Both officials highlighted the substantial relationship between the two countries, with three million Americans visiting the Dominican Republic annually, and over 2.3 million Dominicans residing in the United States.

During the meeting, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided reports regarding aviation controls in the Dominican Republic, following their recent evaluation visit. This information was shared with the United States Secretary of Transportation.

As a gesture of goodwill, Collado presented Secretary Buttigieg with a book by Fray Antón de Montesinos, explaining its historical significance as the site where the first cry in favor of Human Rights in the New World was made. In return, the Secretary offered Dominican officials sweets made from the fruit known as “El Rubí de Indiana,” reflecting his prior role as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020.

President of the Senate: marketing and transportation to Haiti will return to normal in hours

Santo Domingo.- The President of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santos, has assured that transportation and trade with Haiti will be reestablished in the coming hours, aiming to restore the flow of binational markets along the border provinces.

Senator de los Santos, representing the province of Sánchez Ramírez, believes that Dominican merchants need not be apprehensive about the situation. He explained that the Dominican government, under the leadership of President Luis Abinader, is actively implementing diplomatic measures to resolve the conflicts with neighboring Haiti.

He expressed confidence in the normalization of commercial exchanges, citing effective communication management along the border regarding transportation. He also emphasized that President Abinader is committed to restoring bilateral trade and assisting Haiti in reestablishing order in its territory.

Additionally, Senator de los Santos noted that President Abinader’s popularity has been on the rise due to his successful handling of various challenges, including food crises, economic instability, and the global impact of events like the Ukraine-Russia conflict and recent conflicts involving Israel and Gaza. The President’s efforts have garnered support and approval from the public.

Dominican Republic tourism continues “unstoppable”: 7.6 million visitors up through September

Santo Domingo.- Tourism Minister David Collado affirmed Thursday that tourism maintains “unstoppable growth” by registering the arrival of 545,990 visitors this month, thus reaching the historic figure of 7,625,986 in the January-September period.

“Those are historic numbers, which are felt in the economy, and the best of all is that this growth is unstoppable,” he said when presenting the statistics for September during an event held at the Ambassador Hall.

He reported that in September, by air alone, 478,794 tourists entered the country, representing 48% more than the same month in 2019, 31% more than in 2021, and 11% more than in 2022.

Collado said that sustainable growth is also reflected in the cruise industry.

The minister further noted that the country received 67,196 cruise passengers in September, totaling 1,602,411.

“If we look at those figures, we are talking that the Dominican Republic received in the January-September period no more and no less than 7,625,986, a true record,” Collado said.

He also affirmed that the projections for tourist arrivals at the end of the year will exceed 7.9 million, which would be a new record.

He reiterated that by the end of 2023, the Dominican Republic will surpass the goal of 10 million tourists.

Atlantic Tourist Train, an initiative that will enhance the value of Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata, DR.- The Atlantic Tourist Train in Puerto Plata is a new tourist attraction that will add to the complementary offer of this destination. The private initiative will offer a city tour through the most emblematic places of the city, highlighting the attractions, history and culture, not only of Puerto Plata, but of the entire province and its municipalities.

This goal will be executed through a multilingual, emotional and educational narrative that will create an auditory experience and expectation of the destination, motivating them to know every corner of the province, with the objective that they will long to repeat their visit for a longer period of time.

Carlos Rodoli Conde, promoter of the project, said that “the main tourist and cultural cities of the world have this service, so we are excited that Puerto Plata can also offer it. This will allow us to offer city tours and its most significant and valuable places. In the economic aspect, it will translate into a greater economic benefit for the area, as more cruise passengers will leave the port and new tourists and visitors will come to the city, which will motivate to consume in local businesses in the area.”

He affirmed that all the studies carried out in the destination indicate that more excursion options are required to meet the high demand of visitors that are arriving and those that will be added according to future projections. “The decision to install a tourist train in the city favors the work of existing cab drivers, as well as other sectors, as it will contribute to energize the activities of the area by offering visitors a new and modern possibility to know the cultural and tourist heritage of the Bride of the Atlantic, during a non-stop tour.”

The promoters of the project pointed out that their interest is to contribute to the promotion and tourist development of the area in a sustainable and competitive way, without harming members of the local transportation sector; on the contrary, they understand that there are more possibilities for a client of the train to be a potential passenger of the cab services, since clients who opt for the wide range of attractions offered by the whole destination outside the city center, are less likely to use their services.

“We have always expressed our interest in complementing the existing offers, not replacing them. Any tourist who wishes to hire the services of cabs or any other transportation service will be able to continue doing so, since they are very different products and services, so the demand will not fall in the proportions that have been expressed,” expressed Rodoli.

Highest standards of safety

The project meets the highest standards of safety, quality, accessibility and environmental friendliness, because the city will be the first in the region to have a train of this type fully electric and with facilities for passengers in wheelchairs. Also, this type of train is designed precisely for cities with narrow streets, being able to travel on the same tracks of a small vehicle or sedan type.

“It is time for Puerto Plata to continue growing as a tourist destination. What we are looking for is to incorporate the best international practices of successful destinations, which will allow us to have a renewed, robust, high quality tourist offer with an extraordinary service,” in addition to creating the conditions for new investments,” said Rodoli Conde.

The route

The route will include some streets of the historic center and the Malecon with its main attractions; it will take approximately 45 minutes without stops, with capacity for 30 passengers per train.

Arajet will have Santiago-New York flights after the open skies treaty is signed

Santiago de los Caballeros.- The CEO and founder of Arajet, the Caribbean low-fare airline, announced that it will have the Santiago de los Caballeros to New York route in 2024 if the signing of the open skies treaty between the Dominican Republic and the United States is achieved.

Pacheco made the statement during the business conversation held by the Center for Professional Training and Innovation, Capex, of the Santiago Free Zone Corporation, where he was the guest of honor to present the transformation that the Dominican aviation industry is undergoing with Arajet’s operations and connections in the continent.

“Today I want to commit to Cibao and Santiago that we will continue democratizing the skies so that everyone has the opportunity to fly at low prices, so after the signing of the open skies treaty between the United States and our country, we will be opening routes from Cibao International Airport to North America, starting with New York City.”

Pacheco also indicated that he hopes that in addition to New York, Arajet will be able to fly to other North American cities from Santiago for the benefit of the Cibaeños since the airline is currently flying from Santiago to Medellin in Colombia and will open on October 30 from Santiago to Bogota.

“We have managed to be the airline that connects for the first time the Cibao International Airport with South America directly, and we are also connecting Cibaeños with Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and Lima through the Caribbean Hub in Santo Domingo,” added Pacheco Méndez.

Miguel Lama, president of Corporación Zona Franca Santiago, highlighted the contributions that Arajet has made to the development of aviation in the Dominican Republic and stressed the importance of increasing the connectivity of Santiago de los Caballeros and the Cibao with the rest of the continent.

The activity was attended by Capex, CZFS, and Cibao International Airport executives, as well as dozens of attendees from the business community of the city of Santiago.

About Arajet

Arajet is the first low-fare airline in the Caribbean region. It began operations in September 2022 from its base at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo under its Dominican Republic Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). Arajet operates a new fleet of Boeing 737MAX-8 aircraft, providing safe and affordable travel to and from the Dominican Republic to 22 destinations in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean region. For more information, visit www.Arajet.com

Air operations between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela rise to 3,000 this year

Santo Domingo.- Air travel between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela has surged recently, with over 40 weekly flights from six different airlines catering to emigrants using these routes. Data from the Civil Aviation Board reveals that from January to August this year, there were 2,902 air operations, equivalent to approximately 1,500 round trips during that period, averaging around six flights per day.

In August alone, there were approximately 43 weekly flights and a total of 374 separate arrivals and departures. The dominant carriers on this route are Laser, Sky High Aviation Services Dominicana, SA, Avior Airlines, CA, Rutas Aereas, CA (Rutaca Airlines), Turpial Airlines CA, and Rutas Aereas de Venezuela Rav, SA/Ravsa.

Additionally, Copa Airlines offers flights to the Dominican Republic with stopovers in Panama City, operating up to five flights daily. Prices vary by destination; for instance, a flight from Santo Domingo to Caracas costs around $407, and from Punta Cana to Caracas, it’s approximately $689.

Wingo, a Colombian airline, also provides flight options with layovers. In 2022, 74,110 Venezuelans entered the Dominican Republic, while 78,487 left, according to the General Directorate of Migration. The Dominican Republic has become a preferred transit point for Venezuelans heading to the United States due to competitive ticket prices and the limited air travel options directly from Venezuela.

Since 2019, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited direct flights between the United States and Venezuela due to political instability and tensions. As a result, the Dominican Republic offers a cost-effective alternative for travelers aiming for North American destinations. Prices for flights to Santo Domingo can start as low as 13,000 pesos, while flights to neighboring Colombia begin at 18,000 pesos for Bogotá. Flights to Panama, a common transit point for Venezuelans heading north, often exceed 22,700 pesos for a round trip from Caracas or other starting points.

Dominicans stranded at Israel airport ask for help to leave the country

National Plant and Flower Festival: a visual and educational feast at the Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo.- The annual plant and flower festival at the National Botanical Garden (JBN) is set to begin next week, running from October 20 to 22. This year’s program offers an educational experience with workshops, discussions, and talks covering topics such as native and endemic flora of Hispaniola, gardening techniques, pest management, and care for ornamental plants.

On the opening day, there will be a discussion on the “Importance of native plants with ornamental potential,” featuring various experts in the field. The festival, now in its seventeenth edition, will host around 80 exhibitors offering plants and garden tools for sale, attracting visitors looking to add new colors to their patios, terraces, balconies, and gardens.

One of the festival’s unique aspects is the opportunity to find rare or out-of-fashion floral varieties and exotic species, even though they may not thrive in the city’s climate. It’s a challenge that plant enthusiasts embrace, striving to nurture these species “in good hands.”

Aside from the plant sales and educational content, the festival is a family-friendly event that allows attendees to learn about plant care and environmental issues while enjoying direct contact with nature.

The festival runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and costs 150 pesos for adults and 75 pesos for children, which includes access to the Garden museum and a train ride. Food areas, inflatable games, and seasonal plants like poinsettias and pine trees will also be available for purchase.

Additionally, the festival features an educational calendar with talks and workshops on various plant-related topics throughout the event, offering visitors the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of botany and horticulture.

Dominican Republic elected member of the UN Human Rights Council

Santo Domingo.- In a historic event, the United Nations General Assembly elected the Dominican Republic as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term, with 137 votes in favor. This marks the first time the Dominican Republic will serve on the council, joining 46 other countries as a supervisor and protector of human rights worldwide.

With this election, the Dominican Republic commits to upholding and respecting international treaties while setting an example of lawfulness within its territory. President Luis Abinader and Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez celebrated this achievement as a triumph of Dominican diplomacy.

President Abinader emphasized the country’s commitment to promoting and respecting people’s rights and international treaties. Foreign Minister Álvarez highlighted this as a milestone for the nation, recognizing it as a testament to Dominican foreign policy and a reinforcement of its leadership role.

According to Juan José Martínez, a professor and foreign policy expert, the diplomatic victory lies in the fact that the Human Rights Council is the most significant body within the United Nations Organization. As the Dominican Republic assumes responsibilities on the council, it gains the opportunity to defend its foreign policy more effectively. This membership allows the country to take concrete actions that illustrate its genuine respect for human rights, countering unfair campaigns against it. The Dominican Republic reaffirms that it does not have discriminatory immigration policies and exercises its sovereignty like any other nation.

Membership in the Human Rights Council is granted to countries that contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights. It’s important to note that a council member can be expelled if they commit serious and systematic human rights violations, as seen in the case of Russia.

US Federal Aviation Administration audited Dominican aviation system

Santo Domingo.- The General Director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Héctor Porcella, has confirmed that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially audited the country’s aviation system in just over a week.

According to the IDAC’s press release, they are now in a waiting period of 60 days for the second visit of the auditors, during which they will evaluate the recommendations made.

Porcella expressed confidence that, after this first phase, they will maintain category 1 status, which is crucial for international air operations and instills confidence in the security of national aviation.

The FAA audit is a vital process for maintaining air relations with the United States and is a key indicator of the quality and safety of air operations in a country.

Preserving category 1 status is a priority for the Dominican Republic because it has a significant positive impact on the country’s economy, serving as the fundamental platform for tourism and international trade.

Porcella emphasized that this process demonstrates the Dominican Republic’s ongoing commitment to excellence in aviation and passenger safety. He also highlighted the hard work of the IDAC flight standards staff and the support of President Luis Abinader.

Elton John inaugurates the Cap Cana amphitheater this Friday

Punta Cana.- Global music legend Elton John is returning to the Dominican Republic to inaugurate the amphitheater in the El Dorado Park entertainment complex located in Cap Cana. This marks his second performance in the country, and it’s part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which signifies his retirement from touring. The show is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 pm.

Elton John’s illustrious career spans over six decades, during which he has sold more than 300 million records. He has contributed to various music genres, including rock, pop, glam rock, soft rock, R&B, blues, country, and disco. Some of his most iconic songs include “Rocket Man,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Your Song,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “I’m Still Standing.”

Known for his eccentric style and love for eyeglasses, Elton John has accumulated over 20,000 pairs of glasses along with wigs and cars. He’s received numerous awards throughout his career, including Oscars for “Best Song.”

This special concert is expected to be an intimate performance by Elton John, with ticket prices ranging from RD$124,115 to RD$47,000. The El Dorado Park amphitheater’s inauguration signifies a new stage for both international and national artists to showcase their talents in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic seeks conservation of 30% of its land and sea surface

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has launched the “Dominican Republic 30×30” strategy, aimed at conserving 30% of the country’s land and maritime surface as protected areas and protection mechanisms. This initiative aligns with the global goal set during the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) to protect 30% of the planet’s surface.

The objectives of the strategy include strengthening the management of protected areas, promoting sustainable practices in fishing and agriculture, enhancing access to financial instruments, fostering sustainable tourism, and generating effective governance and regulatory mechanisms.

The plan also focuses on community and sector awareness, the allocation of financial resources, and effective management plans for all protected areas. This comprehensive approach aims to improve the quality of life in the Dominican Republic while conserving natural resources.

The Vice Minister of Protected Areas and Biodiversity emphasized the importance of this initiative for preserving the country’s natural heritage, especially its protected areas. The Dominican Republic already has 26% of its land territory under protection criteria, and the goal is to increase this to 30%.

Regarding marine conservation, there are challenges, as only around 11% of the marine surface is protected. Efforts are underway to double the marine protected surface to safeguard vital ocean areas.

Banreservas projects financing for the tourism sector for more than US$700 million

Santo Domingo.- During the recent French tourism fair Top Resa 2023, the Reserve Bank announced that its active portfolio for the tourism sector has surpassed RD$40 billion. Ysidro García, Deputy Business Administrator of Banreservas, mentioned that in 2023, the bank is supporting various tourism projects worth US$255.2 million, expected to create over 4,000 direct and 6,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, the bank is financing tourism projects exceeding US$700 million, equivalent to an investment of US$1.5 billion, encompassing over 11 hotels, two thematic activities, two cruise ports, and working capital.

Banreservas aimed to evaluate and establish alliances with tourism sector businessmen during the fair to invest resources across different regions of the country. The bank’s active portfolio for the sector had already reached over RD$40,000 million by August 2023, highlighting its positive impact on supporting the economy in this area. Executives from the bank engaged with hotel company owners, industry executives, and investors attending the significant tourism event, Top Resa 2023.

Second edition of the Dominican Cigar Fest to be held in Tamboril, Santiago

Tamboril.- The second edition of the Dominican Cigar Fest will be held on 10, 11, and 12 November in the municipality of Tamboril, located in the northeast of the province of Santiago and is considered the “Cigar Capital of the World.”

The announcement was made by Robinson Diaz, executive director of the Dominican Association of Cigars and Tobacco (Adocitap), who highlighted the high commitment to the projection and expansion of the tobacco sector that the entity has.

He informed that, on this occasion, during the three days of exhibition and celebration, more than eighty exhibitors and companies linked to the cigar production chain will participate, with emphasis on boutique and emerging brands.

Radhamés Rodríguez, president of the organizing entity and CEO of the tobacco company, said, “In November, we will continue to make history, laying the foundations to consolidate this festival of tobacco and cigars for the next generations.”

Francisco Matos pointed out that almost twenty thousand people will attend the event, which will bring together important companies related to the beautiful world of tobacco, cigars, boxes, rings, cellophane, harvesters, processors, manufacturers of cigars, packages, and rings, as well as all kinds of accessories related to the production and elaboration of cigars in the Dominican Republic.

In addition, he said that several modules will be available to host sponsoring institutions and companies, embassies, banks, and other special guests related to the commercialization of the aromatic leaf.

The fair seeks to promote and highlight the excellent quality of Dominican tobacco and cigars and the importance of the industry in the country’s economy.

It is recalled that Tamboril stands out for having dozens of tobacco factories, mostly of Creole capital. The cigar manufacturing industry is estimated to generate tens of thousands of handmade cigars daily and handcrafted with excellent quality.