To promote the Dominican tourism in countries of Central and South America

BREAKING NEWS: The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the South American airline LAN Airlines signed a support agreement in order to develop and promote the Dominican tourism in countries of Central and South America.

The agreement involves the investment of four hundred thousand dollars divided equally between MITUR and LAN, to promote the country in the markets of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism Magaly Toribio, who led the signing of the agreement by MITUR, said this was a contribution of the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia to support the increase in those markets, which exceeds the 25%.

The promotion will take place in radio, print media, billboards and catalog sales for the airline, with the theme Republic of Colors, and its main objective is to promote tourism from these markets to the Dominican Republic.

For his part Carmen Gloria Alonso, who represented the airline in the signing of the agreement, highlighted the support of the Ministry of Tourism and hoped that the results of the promotional campaign to bear long and medium term results.

Dominican Republic Live, 04.05.10

Dominican Republic was present at the International Tourism Fair in Latin America

Dominican stand wins second place

BREAKING NEWS: The Dominican Republic won the second place in the award for best pavilion of Foreign Official Agencies of Caribbean Sector during the thirteenth version of the International Tourism Fair of Latin America, FIT, held in Argentina.

The information was given by the director of the Dominican Tourism Promotion Office in Argentina, Olga Font Bernard, who received the April the 17^th, a communication from the organizers of the fair, that announced the prize winners and first three places, corresponding to the first place the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism and the third Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

Olga Font Bernard stressed the importance for the country, the fact of being chosen as the second best pavilion at the fair which included the participation of countries like Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Spain, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, among other.

The fair was held at the Hotel Sheraton Libertador, chaired by the president and vice president of FIT , Ricardo Roza and Fabrizio Di Giambattista, the Secretary of Tourism of Argentina, Daniel Aguilera, executive secretary of the Tourism Promotion Institute of Argentina, Leonardo Botto Alvarez, the chairman of the Federal Council of Tourism, Adrian Contreras and director of FIT , Enrique Pepino.

During the thirteenth version of the International Tourism Fair, one of the most visited stand by Chilean, Colombian, Peruvian, Uruguayan, equatorial, Brazilian, Spanish, Venezuelans and Argentines tourists was precisely the one of Dominican Republic.

Mrs. Font Bernard explained that the thirteenth International Tourism Fair held in Argentina, was attended by representatives of the global tourism industry, tour operators, transport companies, travel agencies, travel agencies and the press specialized in tourism, among others.

Dominican Republic Live, 05.05.10

More and more Russian tourists are visiting the Dominican Republic

They are active tourists who go out hotels

BREAKING NEWS: The Transaero airline representative in Punta Cana, Ruslan Pirogov, has reported that the Russian market had a significant change in Dominican Republic, and that distance is no longer an obstacle to the arrival of Russian tourists, who not only repeat their visits to the country, but who also recommend two or three tourists to choose the country for their vacations. Caribbean region receives about 80 000 Russian tourists a year.

The tourism executive said that Dominican Republic has it all to attract more Russian tourists, but also requires more promotion, showing its entire line of products and services, and also working a lot with travel agencies in the Russian market, since these are its main partners, the key to the relationship between tourists and the country.

He has also stated that 90% of Russians who visit Dominican Republic go out of hotels, are adventurers do not like to be confined.

They go out two or three times on excursions, and so far the most popular destinations are Saona Island, Santo Domingo, and Samaná during whale watching season… It is a tourist who spends outside the hotel at least 300 US $ on trips and souvenirs, said Pirogov.

As for the preparation of human resources to welcome Russian tourists, Mr. Pirogov reported that the main hotels that are working with that markets in the country are Sol Meliá, Bahia Principe, Princess, among others. These establishments have Russian staff and have signs and folders in this language.

Dominican Republic Live, 06.05.10

Dominican Republic is the country that receives more foreign investment in the Caribbean

According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean

BREAKING NEWS: Dominican Republic occupies the first place as the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment in the Caribbean, with an amount of US $ 9.152 millions in the last five years, while Trinidad and Tobago, ranks second place.

According to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) released yesterday, the Dominican Republic attracted investments last year for US $ 2.158 millions, representing a drop in revenues of US $ 813 millions, equal to – 27% compared to 2008 when the investment reached U.S. $ 2.971 millions.

The report indicates that the Caribbean received US $ 5.783 millions in investment in 2009, with a decrease of $ 4.219 million, equal to -42% compared to 2008 when it reached US $ 10.002 millions.

Latin America and the Caribbean received investment of US $ 76.681 millions last year, experiencing a decrease of 55.256 millions compared to 2008, when the investment reached US $ 131.938 millions, equal to -42%. But despite the -42% drop in foreign investment last year, CELAC projects that Foreign Direct Investment flows to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2010 will register and increase of 40 to 50%, after the fall suffered in 2009 because of international crisis.

The report reveals that the expected rebound by 2010 would allow the region to resume the levels of Foreign Direct Investment achieved in 2007.

Dominican Republic Live, 07.05.10

Dominican Republic and Haiti committees work together

With the support of the United Nations Development Programme

BREAKING NEWS: Committees of the Dominican Republic and Haiti are promoting development proposals with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, through the ART (Support for Themes and Regional Networks for Human Development).

Cross-Border Inter-Committees of the provinces of Elías Piña and Dajabón, in coordination with their Haitian counterparts , led an integrated proposal for the development of both territories.

The activity brought together officials of the diplomatic corps, local governments, civil society, government authorities and non governmental organizations, among others, which expressed words of appreciation concerning the work that is being developed on the border by ART–UNDP.

Manuel Alba of the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI), reported that for the satisfaction of those present, this entity passed a bill of 85 million for rural water supply to Central Department of Haiti and Elias Piña, which means they have the solution to this problem.

On the other hand, America Bastidas, Vice Minister of International Cooperation, said that it is a great opportunity for UNDP and the entity she represents to keep working together with strategic and definite plans, which respond to the most pressing needs of the border area.

She said she met with the National Council for State Reform (CONARE), members of the Directorate General of Multilateral Cooperation, the Directorate of Land Management and the Foreign Ministry, in order to bring more support to the Haitian government for preparation of the reconstruction plans.

The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mauricio Ramirez Villegas, highlighted the support of the United Nations and UNDP to the Dominican Republic’s effort to support reconstruction after the earthquake.

A reconstruction not only of physical interest, but also an opportunity for the two countries to share development strategies on common problems, such as the Dominican-Haitian border, and environmental, economic, social issues said the official.

Dominican Republic Live, 10.05.10

The 2010 hurricane season that starts June the 1^st

This season should be average or normal

BREAKING NEWS: The countdown has started for the 2010 hurricane season that begins like every year, this June the 1^st and runs until November 30^th.

According to the forecast team of Colorado State University (CSU), the 2010 hurricane season in the Atlantic, should have 11-16 storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3 and over).

This hurricane season should be average since a normal one is composed of 10 to 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

Experts believe that the hurricane season this year will be more active than in the year 2009, because the phenomenon El Niño is not active, a factor that will allow tropical waves coming from the coast of Africa to reach their full development.

Remember that the 2009 season was a bit below the average with the smallest number of storms since 1997. Moreover, there is a 53% probability that a major hurricane affecting the Caribbean region, against an average of 42%.

A total of 44 hurricanes have hit the Dominican Republic, while 32 tropical storms have affected the country.

The names proposed for the 2010 hurricane season are:

Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, Walter.

See the full forecast of Atlantic 2010 hurricane season

Dominican Republic Live, 11.05.10

This is the best moment to invest in the Caribbean

According to the president of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association

BREAKING NEWS: The president of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association (CHTA), Enrique De Marchena, has assured that this is the best moment to formulate a strategy for the future of tourism in the Caribbean, and appealed to investors and project developers around the world to define new long-term strategies to drive forward the Caribbean industry into a new phase of growth.

This is the best time to invest in tourism in the region, not when occupancy is high and you can’t close your property for its expansion and renovation, De Marchena made these declarations during the opening of the 14^th annual conference on investment and tourism (CHTIC).

He also noted that from the standpoint of the investor, involving in projects in the Caribbean at this time will increase the benefits of long-term investment. This is the time to look at investment opportunities as we prepare for the return of millions of visitors who traditionally spend their vacation in our nations.

According to M. De Marchena, the Caribbean should improve its infrastructure and hotel product, in order to compete on the global market as the economy improves and travellers’ may have the resources to vacation again. At the same time, De Marchena claimed asked to pay attention to the development of human resources in the region.

Dominican Republic Live, 12.05.10

Proposal to establish an alliance in tourism in the Caribbean

To attract more tourists to the Dominican Republic

BREAKING NEWS: The director of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC), Andrés Van der Horst Álvarez, sought to promote through the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association (CHTA) an alliance in tourism in order to sell this region of the world as one destination.

As he congratulated the president and the vice president of Grupo Punta Cana, Frank and Haydee Kuret Rainieri, who were recognized by the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association (CHTA), for their contributions to regional tourism, the secretary of state also stressed that this would make the Caribbean region stronger and more competitive in tourism.

He recalled that this strategic alliance, has been done in other regions of the world, and agreed with the proposal made by Mr. and Mrs. Ranieri that tourists can travel to a Caribbean island to another without visas, without airport taxes and no other regulations.

We believe these facilities will attract more tourists to the Caribbean region, which would benefit all Caribbean nations, including the Dominican Republic, he said.
He recalled that recently was held in the Dominican Republic the First World Thematic Conference on Competitiveness and Tourism Clusters, sponsored by the TCI (The Competitiveness Institute), in which national and international experts discussed the opportunities for sector development through the consolidation and cohesion associative groups and entities that for the most important part of of tourism industry.

Frank and Haydee Ranieri received the Bill Bissel Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of the celebration of the 14^th edition of Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This award is given each year to the trajectory of an individual who has dedicated his time and vicissitude to promote the Caribbean region. Mr. Van der Horst Álvarez noted that in addition to Ranieri this award is a recognition that tourism in the Dominican Republic, is working every day to reach the best international standards.

Dominican Republic Live, 13.05.10

6 116 397 people are called to vote on Sunday the 16^th

Most voters are students and women

BREAKING NEWS: More than six million people are called to vote on Sunday the 16^th, to elect 3.781 16 officials throughout the country, that will keep their functions for a rare period of six years. The number of women voters is slightly higher than the men one, as three million 92 000 201 women are registered with the right to vote, against 3,024,196 of men called to vote.

An important point to note in this election process is that students represent the largest number of voters, with 42.91 percent of the total, followed by persons performing household chores, who represent a 24.59% of the electorate.

The voting population will choose 32 senators, 178 deputies, 155 mayors and an equal number of alternates, 149 thousand rulers with a similar number of alternates, 229 directors of equal numbers of Municipal Districts and the same number of deputies.

In total 3.781 congressional and municipal officials will be elected throughout the country. The five provinces with the greatest number of voters are in numerical order: Santo Domingo Este, Distrito Nacional, Santiago, San Cristóbal and La Vega.

So also the provinces that record the lowest number of voters are: Pedernales, Independencia (Jimaní), Elías Piña, Dajabón and San José de Ocoa.

Three of the five municipalities with the highest vote nationwide corresponding to the Santo Domingo province are: Santo Domingo East, Santo Domingo North and Santo Domingo West.

Dominican Republic Live will publish all the results of the elections this Monday may 17th, 2010

Dominican Republic Live, 14.05.10

Results of the Municipal and Congress elections May 2010

The Party of Dominican Liberation is the great winner

BREAKING NEWS: The Party of Dominican Liberation (PLD) is the great winner of the municipal and congress elections of this Sunday…

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Results of the report number 8 emitted at 04:08:34 a.m.

Dominican Republic Live, 17.05.10

Dominican Republic is the best price-quality tourist product of the Caribbean

The tourist areas of the country offer a high degree of safety

BREAKING NEWS: The executive vice president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), Arturo Villanueva, has said that insecurity does not occur in tourist areas, because that part is very protected.

Mr. Villanueva acknowledged that the country has some deficiencies in infrastructure, but said they are being resolved, and concerning insecurity, he said that the main resorts are far away from places where delinquency occurs.

Furthermore, we are the best tourism product in the Caribbean concerning price-quality relation. In that sense said that competitors such as Puerto Rico charged 400 US $ for just one room.

The executive has said that the tourists do not stay in hotels, because there are very attractive additional offers like golf, marinas, visit Saona and Catalina islands and Haitises National Park.

He also suggested that other factors that helped the country were the policy of opening of commercial aviation that implements the Civil Aviation Board under the guidelines of Government, which has been favorable, with an increase in the number of flights to Dominican Republic, which has forced airports to increase their activities and expand their physical space.

He has also stated that the country has the highest number and the best airports in the Caribbean.

Dominican Republic Live, 18.05.10

President Fernández participates to Vl Summit of European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean

He invited the leaders to participate to World Summit for the Future of Haiti in Dominican Republic

BREAKING NEWS: The Dominican Republic’s President Leonel Fernández said here that the only international institution that could propose solutions to global problems is the United Nations Organization (UNO).

In the framework of the VI Summit European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Dominican President said he felt satisfied with the fact that several countries of Latin America integrated into the G-20 group, with commercially powerful nations.

M. Fernández pointed out, however, that there are 172 countries that are not part of the G-20 whose voices must be heard in the search for solutions to problems that affect all peoples of the continent.

Speaking at the plenary session of the event, held at the IFEMA fairgrounds, the head of state called for the creation of a new international financial architecture that takes into account the need to regulate markets, in order to prevent another crisis.

The debate on regulation and deregulation became the central theme of political, commercial and ideological order, said Dominican President speaking at the VI Summit European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean.

SUMMIT FOR HAITI

The sixth summit between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean has been an excellent opportunity for President Leonel Fernández to directly invite the present leaders to participate to the upcoming World Summit for the Future of Haiti, which be held on June the 2^nd in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

In addition, Leonel Fernández, during a press conference with Prime Minister of Haiti, Jean Max Bellerive, said he received a great support from his counterparts present here, concerning their participation in the World Summit on the Future of Haiti: Solidarity beyond of the crisis, to be held on June the 2^nd2 in Punta Cana.

He said that the global event to be held in the Dominican Republic will discuss five major themes, such as the Haiti economic, cultural and artistic, territorial, institutional and social reactivation.

He explained that each country will choose the axis on which you they would like to work on for the development of Haiti, citing the commitment made by the Dominican Republic to build a modern university for 30 000 university students.

In the case of the economic reactivation, Mr. Fernández cited the need of developing some tourism poles, as well as agricultural production to achieve food security.

Dominican Republic Live, 19.05.10

Dominican Republic is a model for tourism

According to the World Tourism Organization

BREAKING NEWS: The secretary general of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Dr. Taleb Rifai, expressed here the recognition of this United Nations agency for Dominican Republic concerning its leadership in tourism in the region.

Recognizing the development of Dominican tourism, Mr. Rifai said that in tourism sector of the Caribbean, the country is a model for other nations.
Mr. Rifai stressed that despite the global financial crisis, which affected tourism worldwide, the Dominican Republic continued to receive the same average amount annual visitors.

The secretary general of the WTO announced that the institution is ready to support the country in the training of Dominican students so they can make tourism master.

By submitting a list of suggested steps to take on tourism policies in the context of the global crisis, Mr. Rifai expressed his delight and amazement concerning the sensitivity and domain shown by Mr. Fernández in terms of tourism.

Mr. President, while you play an important role in leading your country in the Caribbean, for tourism, there are leaders who do not show such interest concerning the issue, he noted.

The WTO official added: You are an ambassador for the tourism industry in the region. I take this opportunity to congratulate the prominent role that the Dominican Republic plays in global tourism; as the country became the first destination in the Caribbean. The country’s progress in this line is due to the work and cooperation of the Minister of Tourism and his excellent team.

For his part, the Dominican president, thanked Dr. Rifai and explained that tourism is very important for Dominican economy, so that his government is committed to modernize and improve the services of roads, water, hotels and the specialization of human resources.

Mr. Fernández said that one of the challenges in this area is to maintain the sustainable development of the industry, promoting eco-tourism, expand the golf courses and by focusing on a type of high-end tourism, such as boutique hotels, tourism cruises and the construction of modern marinas.

To maintain sustainable tourism is not enough to promote it, but implementing policies for environmental protection and preservation of natural resources, said the President.

He said that despite the impact of the global financial crisis, the country received last year four million tourists revenues from the sector.

At the event, were present, the First Lady of the Republic, executives of the WTO, Latin American ambassadors accredited in this city, representatives of the consular corps and members of the Dominican delegation accompanying the Head of State.

Dominican Republic Live, 20.05.10

Dominican Republic tourism is dynamic and active

The future of the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry is linked to the quality of the product

BREAKING NEWS: President Leonel Fernández said that the future of the tourism industry of the Dominican nation was linked to new ways to offer high quality products, so it was necessary to realize an improvement in country infrastructure such as hotels and roads.

During his visit to the headquarters of the World Tourism Organization in Madrid, M. Fernández stressed the dynamic and active role played by tourism sector in the development of the Dominican Republic over the past 40 years, which has acted as the locomotive of country’s economic development.

There was a time when visitors exclusively came from Europe, with countries such as Spain, France or Germany, but now we also receive visitors from the United States, South America and even from areas like Asia and Russia, said president Leonel Fernández.

Also, the head of state highlighted that the four million visitors that the countries received last year, will also increase the revenue of the industry, despite the global financial crises that caused a significant reduction of tourism in the world.

Dominican Republic Live, 21.05.10

Over fifty Italian companies interested in extending their investment to the Dominican Republic

President Fernández meets with Italian investors

BREAKING NEWS: The President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández, held important meetings in this city with fifty representatives of Italian companies interested in extending their investment to the Dominican Republic.

During the day’s presentations, the President invited these Italian businessmen to visit the country and hold a meeting with the investment committee chaired by the Head of State, in order to expedite the realization of their investment proposals, to which the suggestion was welcomed by the interested parties.

Eddy Martinez, Secretary of State and Director of Investment and Export Center of the Dominican Republic, coordinator of these meetings, reported that many of these companies already had relations with the country so in the coming months they could start some of the submitted projects, mainly in real estate and tourism sectors.

Martinez highlighted the case of Prandy group, which will, in the month of August, launch a low-cost housing project in the area of Hato Nuevo, Santo Domingo province, consisting of about three hundred houses, whose investment will be approximately 20 million dollars.

Standing out among the participating business groups are several business organizations, including, Confartigianato di Prato, one of the largest business associations in the province of Prato comprising over five thousand local companies, the Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria), the National Association Industrial Companies (ANIE) and the Chamber of Commerce Italo-Dominican who work as liaisons for the promotion of trade and investment opportunities in various regions of this country.

The president highlighted that the textile industry of the Dominican and Prato Confartigianato agreed to sign a cooperation agreement to establish links that will add value to the manufacture of garments in the Dominican Republic, not only taking into account the production of large volumes but also the design of clothing and footwear, as well as the production of leather goods.

Other companies that showed interest in investing in the Dominican Republic are Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali, NEC and the Ghella group which are dedicated to renewable energies; Cerutti spititu, Cogef, Stone Italiana and Studio Brarkwho are involved in tourism projects, real estate and construction materials , and the Sparro group and South West Marine, interested in setting up shipyards for the construction of luxury yachts and fishing boats.

Stefano Commini, president of the Regional Council of Confindustria, said that the Dominican Republic is very attractive for Italian investment due to the secure legal environment currently existing in the country and the right incentives policies of President Leonel Fernández.

On Sunday the Dominican head of state met with local authorities in the city of Florence and continued his contacts with groups of businessmen interested in investing capital in the Dominican Republic.

According to the preset schedule of activities, this Monday Fernández is planning to visit several schools in Bologna, where he hopes to sign important agreements on mutual cooperation in education.

Dominican Republic Live, 24.05.10

Dominican Republic improves its ability to attract foreign investment

Thanks to the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement

BREAKING NEWS: The legal guarantees and institutional progress made towards achieving the implementation of the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) have improved the country’s ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) especially coming from nations other than those in the agreement.

The results of the study The DR-CAFTA and Foreign Direct Investment in the Dominican Republic, was released Thursday by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (DICOEX) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Institute of Foreign Trade and Innovation of the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), in whose headquarters the presentation took place.

The study, done by economists Brenda Villanueva and Lynel Polanco, of the firm Pareto Consulting Group, with support from Project Implementation of DR-CAFTA in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), also verified that since going into effect the DR-CAFTA has not been a factor in the levels of FDI between the Dominican Republic and Central American countries.

Director of Foreign Trade, Yahaira Sosa Machado, said the opening words of the presentation of the study, which was led by Dr. Rolando Guzman of the Pareto Consulting Group.

DICOEX director stressed the importance of FDI for developing countries and assessed the scope of the study.

According to the results of the study, from 2000 to 2008 the Dominican Republic has taken the lead in attracting FDI inflows with respect to Central America. Only in 2007 was the country overtaken by Costa Rica in terms of net FDI flows.

The Costa Rican advantage over the Dominican Republic in 2007 was chiefly due to a large sale in the financial sector and increased investment in tourism. However, in 2008 the Dominican Republic regained their leadership in amount of FDI for Central American countries.

In 2007, FDI in Costa Rica totalled U.S. $1.896 billion and the Dominican Republic U.S. $1.578 billion. For 2008 the situation changed and investment to the country rose to U.S. $2.884 billion while that of Costa Rica was U.S. $2,016.1 billion.

The study also found that the Dominican Republic is among the ten largest recipients of FDI in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil is at the top of the list, followed by Mexico, Chile, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Argentina Peru, Trinidad and Tobago Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic Live, 25.05.10

Dominican Republic’s tourism industry on the rise 9 straight months

Thanks to the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism and private sector

BREAKING NEWS: Dominican tourism has been on an upswing since September of last year in regard to passenger arrivals, after suffering a decline, due to one of the worst economic crisis the world has had in its history.

Unlike other Caribbean destinations who have also suffered adverse effects, the Dominican Republic has succeeded in placing the numbers in the blue on the flow of visits from abroad. According to the figures made available by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores).

The organization’s executive vice president, Arturo Villanueva, expressed that the move toward the positive did not happen by itself. It was the result of a strategy designed and implemented by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism and the private sector at the institutional and private levels.

We have maintained an excellent working relationship, a great empathy with the technical and professional teams that make up the Ministry of Tourism and that has indisputably paid off, pointed out Mr. Villanueva.

The public-private sector synergy was joined by the commercial airworthiness policy that has implemented the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) which has been a major anchor in being able to begin the growth of tourism, after inheriting negative results from the global crisis.

Mr. Villanueva claims are based on the fact that from January to April 2009, the JAC endorsed 1,654 passenger flight operations for the Dominican Republic and 362 cargo flights, for a total of 2,019 flights. Meanwhile, in the same period this year the agency approved 2,731 flights (of those 2,023 were passenger and 706 cargo).

In 2009 foreign visitors arriving at Dominican airports numbered 1,358,258. In 2010 the number is already at 1.4 million. This policy of open skies, and new bilateral treaties that have been subscribed in the last year have allowed a significant increase to and from the Dominican Republic, said Mr. Villanueva.

Dominican Republic Live, 26.05.10

XIV Edition of Caribbean Tourism Exchange 2010

June 17^th to June 19^th at the Dominican Fiesta Convention Center

BREAKING NEWS: The Roof, the executive floor of the Dominican Fiesta Convention Center was chosen as the location of the celebration of the fourteenth edition of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC) from the 17^th to the 19^th of June in the banquet hall of the aforementionedhotel.

Luis Felipe Aquino, president of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange, said that this significant tourism event constitutes a unique opportunity for service industries offering ample long and short term commercial benefits.

The BTC, is the meeting point between supply and demand for the tourist industry.

The event is attended by hotel chains, airlines, hotels, tourist agencies, tourist associations, real estate projects, the financial sector, cruise companies, wholesalers, travel agencies andtour operators, among others services.

Mr. Aquino said that the Caribbean Tourism Exchange 2010 will feature specialized areas, which will enable professionals in this sector to make business contacts, perform public relations and image projections.

He added that the BTC will present a Trade Show, with exhibitors offering their products in a form of direct connection with the intermediary service. The Business Roundtable will be a special area, where tour operators and travel agents can interact with hotels and other vendors.

Mr. Aquino reported that in attendance will be Tour Operators from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Curacao, among others.

Dominican Republic Live, 27.05.10

Union between public and private sector helps maximize development of tourism

About 1,200 additional rooms will be ready by the end of 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Never before has the public and private sectors been so unified in seeking the improvement of conditions in the Dominican Republic for tourism.

The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), the Ministry of Tourism, the Hotel Association of Santo Domingo (AHSD), the Association of Hotels and Tourism Projects in the East Zone and the tourist Cluster, among others, have focused their efforts both nationally and internationally to promote the country, and thus attract not only more tourists, but new investors.

Participation in international fairs by the Ministry of Tourism, Asonahores, and hoteliers, who make up this association, have generated an atmosphere of fellowship that has been successful in the short, medium and long term.

For the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Projects in the Eastern Zone, Ernesto Veloz, the support that the destination of Punta Cana-Bavaro has received from the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, has been of vital importance.

Recently, he highlighted the efforts that the Ministry of Tourism has made to pave the streets and construct sidewalks and curbs in Punta Cana-Bavaro and continuous monitoring that the minister of tourism grants to all projects underway in the area.

Looking forward to the completion of construction of the Tourist Boulevard, Coral Highway, and the start of tourist territorial reorganization plan, both projects of vital importance for further progress in this area, which depends almost entirely on tourism.

He stated that the main destination of the country continues to grow and that as an example of this is the fact that by the end of 2010 there will be about 1,200 additional rooms in the area.

Dominican Republic Live, 28.05.10

2010 hurricane season starts tomorrow, Tuesday, June the 1^st

Authorities take preventive measures

BREAKING NEWS: During the hurricane season that starts on June 1^st, there is expected to be between 11 and 16 storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricane (category 3 above).

The first hurricane of the season will be named Alex, followed by Bonnie and Colin.

For their part, the Dominican authorities are preparing to implement preventive measures to avoid damage and flooding during the hurricane season that starts this Tuesday.

Next week the National District City Council (ADN) will strengthen preventive measures and tree trimming debris collection.

Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) will provide network maintenance of radar and weather stations, among other measures, to ensure good service to the public.

The council’s general secretary, Domingo Contreras, said that next week the council’s Emergency Committee will meet to refine the actions that will follow.

Dominican Republic Live, 31.05.10