Prince Albert of Monaco to launch Dominican tourist complex

President Leonel Fernández, will lead the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Punta Perla tourist complex in the company of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The project has a projected investment of US$2.5 billion, and is the third tourism initiative of this type to be launched in the country since November.

The 10.2 million square meter property with 3.5 kms of beachfront will include four boutique hotels, 8,800 residential units, three golf courses, an inland marina, a beach club, an amphitheater, sports installations, commercial units, a shopping mall open to the public, a museum and staff accommodation.

Punta Perla is expected to be completed within a 10-12 year period.

It was announced that the Prince of Monaco, although not an investor in the company, has shown an interest in supporting Punta Perla, as he considers it to be an environment-friendly tourism development that could set the standard for other similar initiatives.

Punta Perla is promoted by European tourism specialist business groups.

Central Bank of the Dominican Republic Increases Overnight Rate

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, following its commitment to maintain
macroeconomic stability and control over inflation, in a monetary policy meeting held on
July 30, 2008, increased its overnight rate from 9.0% to 18% effective.

This decision is consistent with the targets set in the Central Bank’s Monetary Program
and aims to reduce inflationary pressure on internal prices, given the magnitude of the
external shock. Interest rate movements are conditioned to the performance of internal
and external inflation determinants, considering the lags in the monetary transmission
process.

In this regard, even when external volatility has shown signs of moderation recently, their
effect on the Balance of Payments has been significant and the monetary authorities
foresee a lagged effect on the Dominican economy. Moreover, there is a persistent
imported inflation component originated by high international food, commodities, and
other finished goods prices.

Domestically, inflation risks are still present due to an increase in aggregate demand,
driven by rising consumption and investment public and private, which could affect
inflation in the last two quarters of the year.

The Central Bank will continue to closely monitor the international situation and the
developments in internal markets, as well as their implications for mid and long-term
inflation expectations.

IFC approves initiatives to support emerging markets

IFC’s Board today approved a package of crisis response initiatives to support the private sector in emerging markets hit by the global financial crisis. On December 9, it also approved a Sovereign Funds Initiative which will enable IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to raise and manage commercial capital from sovereign funds for equity investments in some of the poorest developing countries. The initiatives will support the private sector, which is critical to employment, recovery, and growth.

The crisis response facilities consist of a doubling of the IFC Global Trade Finance Program to $3 billion, a new $3 billion Bank Recapitalization Fund, and an Infrastructure Crisis Facility which is expected to mobilize at least $1.5 billion. These will be supported by advisory services addressing the needs of clients affected by the crisis.

The goal of the Sovereign Funds Initiative is to connect long-term commercial capital from state-owned investors with the substantial investment needs of private companies in developing countries.

“We are pleased that the Board approved and endorsed these important initiatives,” said Lars Thunell, IFC’s Executive Vice President and CEO. “With the support of donors and partners, these IFC facilities will provide critical assistance to many businesses and entrepreneurs and reduce the impact of the crisis on the poor. In addition, our new Sovereign Funds Initiative should mobilize new sources of commercial capital for long-term investment in frontier regions and countries.”

The four crisis response facilities are expected to deploy about $30 billion over the next three years. IFC will fund the facilities and has invited other donors, including governments and international financial institutions to contribute financing and expertise. The Japanese government has announced that it will become a founding partner and invest $2 billion in the Bank Recapitalization Fund.

IFC’s Board of Directors is a permanent board that represents IFC’s 181 member countries and guides its programs and activities.

About IFC’s Crisis Response Facilities

Expanded trade finance program: IFC will double its existing Global Trade Finance Program from $1.5 billion to $3.0 billion over a three year period to meet a large increase in demand for short-term trade finance. The expanded facility will benefit participating banks, including those in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Bank Recapitalization Fund: IFC will launch a global equity fund to recapitalize banks, as bank failures would further damage economic activity and worsen poverty in developing countries. IFC expects to invest $1 billion over three years and Japan has announced it will invest $2 billion in the fund.

Infrastructure Crisis Facility: This new IFC facility will bridge the gap in available financing for viable, privately-funded infrastructure projects facing financial distress. IFC expects over three years to invest a maximum of $300 million and that other sources will invest between $1.2 billion and $10 billion.

IFC Advisory Services: IFC is scaling up and refocusing its advisory services geared to financial institutions and governments, and reform of the financial infrastructure—banking for small and medium enterprises, leasing, microfinance, housing, investment policy and promotion, and business operation and regulation.

A 5.3 quake shakes the Dominican Capital

A tremor magnitude 5.3 on the Richter Scale was felt in the Dominican capital at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, prompting the evacuation of the country’s tallest building in operation, Torre Acropolis.

The tremor’s epicenter was located in the eastern part of the country at a depth of 106 kilometers, said the U.S. Geodetic Survey, in zone 16 kilometers north-northeast of Consuelo township, San Pedro province, and 16 kilometers south of the city Hato Mayor.

As of 1:40 p.m. the authorities hadn’t reported any damages from the shaking that lasted around 15 seconds, with a fist wave followed by stronger shimmying.

The U.S. Geodetic Service’s complete data on the tremor:

Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 01:13:48 PM at epicenter

Location 18.626°N, 69.370°W

Depth 106.3 km (66.1 miles) set by location program

Region DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Distances 10 km (6 miles) NW (315°) from Consuelo, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
20 km (12 miles) NNW (341°) from San Pedro de Macorís, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic

20 km (12 miles) SW (216°) from Hato Mayor, Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic

63 km (39 miles) ENE (77°) from SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 4.2 km (2.6 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters NST=181, Nph=181, Dmin=206 km, Rmss=0.78 sec, Gp= 40°,
M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Dominican economy to grow 4.5% in ’08

The Dominican economy grow 4.5 percent this year, according to a preliminary report presented yesterday by Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal) executive secretariat , Alicia Bárcena, which also projects a 1.5 percent growth for 2009.

It also predicts an annual inflation of 7 percent and the deficits of the non financial public sector and the current account would be 3.2 percent and 12.6 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (PIB), respectively.

The Cepal estimates an accelerated increase of the public cost in 2008, with an annual expansion of 18.6% in real terms. It adds that its level in proportion of the GDP will reach 20.3 percent, an increase of three percentage points compared with last year, which means a strong turn in the Dominican fiscal situation.

The report considered that Latin America’s and the Caribbean’s growth for 2009 will be 1.9 percent and the unemployment rate will rise from 7.5 percent this year to a range of 7.8 and 8.1%, as a result of the international crisis.

According to the preliminary overview of the Latin American and Caribbean economies, the cycle of economic bonanza comes to an end in 2008, when the region posts six years of consecutive growth.

Dominican Republic, Las Arenas eco-friendly residence

Las Arenas, a 25-story residential tower scheduled to break ground in the first quarter of 2009, introduces an new eco-friendly architectural design to Juan Dolio Beach in the Dominican Republic. The impressive building will be designed by Dominican architect, Jorge Mesa, and world-famous Spanish landscaper, Artur Bossy, both highly-respected professionals and leaders in their fields.

“The building’s ‘green’ design was inspired by the city’s natural beauty and unique landscape and views,” says Mesa. “Since its conception, Artur and I have worked hand in hand to deliver a truly luxurious standard of living for both residents and visitors, while maintaining the integrity of Juan Dolio Beach,” says Mesa.

The eco-friendly components featured in this development include roof-top solar panels, which will provide energy for all of the common areas and landscaping designed from the sites natural vegetation.

The tower, which consists of 80% glass, is designed to allow sunlight in but acts like a filter that only allows 20% of the sun’s heat to enter inside. This will minimize the use of energy from the air conditioners that cool the building. Las Arenas will also feature a treatment plant for water destined for the maintenance of the building and watering the gardens.

In addition to the “green” components that makeup Las Arenas is its extensive lush garden, designed by landscape artist, Artur Bossy, who can also be accredited for marvels, such as the Botanical Gardens in Barcelona.

Residences at Las Arenas include one bedroom lofts, two, three and four bedroom condominiums, and penthouses. Each unit features eco-friendly technology, sound proof walls, and controlled entry with an access card. Two large parking levels enable residents to have the option of three parking spaces per unit. Prices range from $210,000 - $2 million USD.

The project will also feature an infinity edge pool, Jacuzzi with hydromassage that seats up to 15 people, beach club and recreational section for children with daily supervision, and a fully-equipped gym with a stunning beach view. Additional amenities include a business center and meeting rooms, Wi-Fi throughout the building, and a state-of-the-art commercial and retail area that will carry designer fashion brands, numerous restaurants from casual cafes to fine dining, and a boutique spa.

Foreign investment in Dominican Republic sets another record

The director of the Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (CEI-RD) said Thursday that foreign investment in the country jumped to US$2.35 billion up to September, or US$836.5 million more than the US$1.5 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Eddy Martinez said the figure sets a record in new foreign capital inflow.
The official said the investments are the result of the efforts and international relations president Leonel Fernandez has accomplished, which has motivated new investments to come to the country.

Last year’s total US$1.7 billion was also a record, attributed to the DR-Cafta trade deal that took effect in 2007.

Passengers on Dominican-Puerto Rico Ferry also get duty-free break

Every day more and more Dominicans living abroad, when returing to the country, apply for the Christmas facilities provided by the Dominican Custom Agency (DGA) during the year-end.

Some of the users of the ferry between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic qualify to bring free of duty, appliances and gifts amounting up to US$2,500.

Dominicans living abroad are happy because they could bring more items to their relativesduring the holidays.

Dominican industrialists want Fernandez to adopt tough measures

The country’s industrialists expect president Leonel Fernandez to announce, in his speech to the nation, emergency measures that have a vision to face the future challenges in 2009.

The Herrera Industrial Association and the Industrial Federation (FAI) say this emergency program must have three fundamental platforms based on offering immediate solutions to the high cost of living, citizen insecurity and the electrical crisis.

For the presidents of the Herrera industrialists, Manuel Cabrera, and of the FAI Ignacio Méndez, the chief executive must adopt measures to recover the citizens’ confidence. “We need to recover the confidence that the President had awakened some time ago."

Méndez suggests stimulating an increase in production, especially agriculture and industries, for which the Government shouldn’t compete with industrialists for the credit available.
They also agree with the Central Bank’s plan to begin lowering the interest rate starting February, but cautioned that this will happen only if waste in government is curtailed.

They said this implies an elimination of unnecessary posts created in the government and a redesign of the policy on subsidies, to eliminate those that are irrational.

Public, private sectors plot moves to shield the Dominican economy

Several business and industry groups as well as government agencies today agreed to join efforts to and form discussion groups among other actions to spur exports, create jobs and generate currencies to secure economic growth.

The associations Industries (AIRD), Exporters (ADOEXPO), Free Zones (ADOZONA) and the Agribusiness Board (JAD); as well as representatives of the country’s productive and exporting sector; and officials of the ministries of Industry and Commerce and Agriculture, the Export and Investment Center of Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), the councils on Export Free Zones (CNZFE), on Competitiveness and PROINDUSTRIA, an related sectors.

“Given that exports promotion is indispensable to maintain Dominican Republic’s development, a strategic and action plan will be established with short, medium and long term measures to eliminate the hurdles that affect the productive sectors’s competitiveness,” said the joint document.

The entities will also form work tables integrated by representatives of the public and private sector, “to identify and work in the application and pursuit of measures of consensus that respond to the common interest, to improve the productive sectors; competitiveness and promote exports.”

They also pledged to assume, within the agreed work tables, action in the areas of electrical supply, access to credit, land cargo transport, equal treatment for exports, the labor market, competitive macroeconomic environs and international promotion our exportable offer, “among others measures that will allow us to capitalize on the opportunities expected from a strategically located country, with creative and qualified human resources and committed to their work.”

Trust us to solve problems, Dominican President says

President Leonel Fernandez last night asked Dominicans to have confidence in his government, which he said is committed to seek solutions the problems that may affect them in 2009, such as the energy crisis, crime and food production.

He said the elections, the energy crisis, food and the global economic problems made 2008 a challenging and difficult year for the nation.

Fernandez spoke last night, together with his family after the year end concert for government employees and the lighting of the National Palace’s Christmas tree and exterior lights. “I’m hopeful that the new year will be better and we commit ourselves to work, even in adverse conditions, to maintain economic growth and social peace, create more jobs, attract new investments and continue the progress.”

He said he’ll deliver a brief speech to the country next week on measures to control crime and new economic actions to guarantee the country’s stability.

Dominican Republic has a Law on International Financial Zones

The Chamber of Deputies passed the bill that creates International Financial Zones in certain geographic demarcations in the Dominican Republic, including a legal framework for its operations.

The Senate already passed the legislation and now goes to president Leonel Fernandez, who’s expect it to sign it into the Law.

In those zones financial services and other related activities will be provided extra-territorially solely to non-resident physical people, and to others whose main address is abroad.

The bill establishes that in no case will financial services be offered from those International Financial Zones to the Dominican Government, nor to financial institutions regulated by special Dominican laws.

The bill is sustained in the Monetary and Financial Law, on the Stock Market, the Free Zones and Money Laundering.

Among the financial services available will be businesses and investment banking, public and private brokerage, trading of titles and commercial paper, monetary market, shares and merchandise of all types, money and asset management, deals with investment funds and project and corporative finances.

Dominican capital’s subway on track for December

The Transport Reform Office (Opret) is still on track with the programmed activities for the Santo Domingo Metro’s start of operations in December.

The regulatory entity’s personnel works in the high and low tensions lines, the control centers and electrical substations, said Opret assistant director Leonel Carrasco. "Collaterally we are connecting all software units and the gigantic salon, called the main control."

Carrasco said 260 Santo Domingo State University (UASD) students have been trained to work in that department who also received training as train conductors and how to deal with people in the operational area.

The official said Opret advances to meet the programs and agreed procedures, which must be validated by several companies contracted for that purpose, including Cimex, the Tos Sin, Tales and Alstom, which supervise the electromechanical and rails systems and the rolling stock. "These people should give us a certification in the next few days, as soon as we conduct the pertinent tests."

IMF tells Dominican Government to harden taxes now, ease later

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended that the Dominican Government harden its tax policy to allow easing the monetary policies in 2009.

The IMF said a key element in the fiscal adjustment is the expected improvement of the energy sector’s financial situation, “which reflects not only the reduction in energy prices, but also the active application of penalties for theft and a policy of billing that accurately reflects costs.”

In a statement the multinational financial organism provides the results of the visit from November 12 to 19 by the delegation headed by Andy Wolfe, head of the IMF for the Western Hemisphere Department. He said there was wide reaching agreement on the need to apply a fiscal adjustment in 2009, due to stricter global conditions for credit. “But that hardening of the fiscal policy would create space for certain lightening of the monetary policy.”

The IMF said the fall in international food and energy prices should help reduce the pressure on fiscal and external current accounts. The country also applied a prudent monetary policy in 2008, which contributed to constrict the internal demand and served as anchor to maintain macroeconomic stability, which lead to lower the pressure in the exchange market and an expected lower inflation of 7 percent in 2009.

“Nevertheless, certain margin for the lightening of the monetary policy in the course of 2009 must exist as the fiscal adjustment materializes.”

In that regard it affirms that the authorities will present a budget to Congress based on a realistic projection of income and a credible and identified level of financing.

Regarding the financial sector the IMF said official indicators suggest such a capitalized and protected banking system that it can withstand the present adverse conditions. For that reason, in 2009 a delegation of the IMF and the World Bank will update the financial sector’s analysis program (FSAP), carried out for the last time in 2002.

The delegation visited the country to conduct the first talks on the post monitoring program, with meetings held every six months, after the organism’s Stand by agreement with the country signed last January 30. It said the talks centered on the macroeconomic policies needed to maintain the stability in view of the deceleration of the world economy and restrictive international financial conditions.

The program is an intensive monitoring that’s part of the complements in Article IV of the Consultation’s annual economic monitoring, as soon as the financing exceeds 100 percent of the Member State’s quota.

Officials from US, DR, Central America discuss DR-CAFTA Labor Chapter

Officials from the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic held the first meeting of the Labor Affairs Council established under the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).

The council is responsible for overseeing the implementation of, and for reviewing progress under, the Labor Chapter of the DR-CAFTA, including the activities of the Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism established under the Labor Chapter.

The council reaffirmed the importance of each party fulfilling its commitments under the Labor Chapter, including the effective enforcement of each party’s labor laws and respect for the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

"We see the DR-CAFTA countries as crucial partners on labor matters in the hemispheric dialogue. We are all equal partners in the free trade agreement, and share a foundation of common interests and goals. Labor cooperation is an important part of our regional trade relationship,” said Howard M. Radzely, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Dominican president speaks on emerging economies and new world financial system

"Every day there are new situations that generate new worries and new uncertainties within the framework of the international economy," President Leonel Fernandez said Saturday during a two-day economic conference he is hosting.

He called for emerging economies to have greater say in a new world financial system.
The meeting in the Dominican Republic includes Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis, U.S. billionaire George Soros, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who warned that the current crisis will be long and deep.

When the U.S. economic bubble burst, left behind a black hole that will likely worsen gaps between rich and poor in developing countries, said Stiglitz in the conference. To overcome the turmoil and ensure that global financial systems benefit more people, the world needs a new understanding of governments role in the economy, he added.

The economic system unleashed the crisis, says Dominican President



President Leonel Fernandez denounced that a deep crisis of ethical values and a “putrid” economic system, mainly of the United States, are the causes of the serious problems affecting almost all of the world’s economies. “This crisis of values is seen in the speculation of markets, and the lack of regulation and supervision, among others anti-ethical causes.”


Fernandez, after presenting the conclusions of the two-day minisummit “The emergent global financial order: a regional perspective” held in the Casa de Campo resort complex, affirmed that several auditing companies and risk evaluation firms were accomplices in the fraud and manipulation. “That situation should’ve never happened and we’ll necessarily have a high cost that will produce more poor people, more unemployed and more people disoriented and suffering in the entire planet.”

He said the avaricious and greedy who manage large capitals on paper took the world to the crisis that brings about “rage and impotence” and that to reach a suitable balance for our societies function well requires the visible hand of the State in coordination with the markets’ invisible hand.

The summit’s conclusions will be gathered in the Declaration of Santo Domingo and presented in December, in the meeting in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil and then in the Assembly of the United Nations.

Dominican exports to Europe top US$600M so far this year

Foreign minister Carlos Morales said Dominican exports to the European market have topped US$600 million so far this year, which in his view is proof that signing the Association Economic Agreement (AAE) benefits country.

He said the profits are from banana, cacao, coffee, rum and lately sugar exports to the European Union, a market of 480 million consumers that, since the beginning of the year, began to receive provisionally Dominican products tariffs free. “This accomplishment is of significant importance for the Dominican Republic, especially at this time of economic crisis, that’s already felt at the world level.”

Morales, in a luncheon hosted for the presidents of the Senate and of the Chamber of Deputies, and the members of the Foreign Relations commissions, said once the Free Trade Agreement with Europe is ratified, the products and services of the pact’s signatory nations have access to the European Union market, free of duties and quotas.

As to the area of services, the official said many technicians, (cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians, among others), as well as engineers and artists have been contracted for a period of six months, with automatic permits in several countries of Europe.

Dominican exporters celebrate

As part of last night’s "22nd Grand Dinner of the Dominican Exporter" celebration, the Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO) recognized the efforts in excellence of Dominican Republic’s export sector.

The event, held in the Jaragua Hotel, gathered executives of major companies, with awards handed out in five categories: Service to the export sector; Industrial exporter; Agribusiness exporter; Merit for export, and the top award, Grand Dominican Exporter.

ADOEXPO president Ricardo Koenig and officers and members of the organization headed the activity, where more than 500 business leaders, the government’s economic area officials, diplomats, representatives of international organism and national personalities took part in the yearly event.

The free zone export companies were recognized for the first time in the traditional event, with the economist and historian Bernardo Vega as invited speaker.

Dominican Republic Named "Golf Destination of the Year"

The Dominican Republic (DR) was named the "Golf Destination of the Year for the Caribbean and Latin America" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

The award was presented to Francisco Javier Garcia, the DR Minister of Tourism, at the 2008 International Golf Travel Market's (IGTM) annual meeting held Nov. 17-20 in Marbella. "The IAGTO award affirms that the DR has arrived on the international scene as an important new 'It' destination for golf.

The world is taking notice of the DR's world-class designer golf courses set amid stunning sea sides, beaches and mountains in an accessible and affordable destination," DR Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said. Each year, the IGTM annual conference brings together golf tour operators and the meetings industry with leading hotels, resorts and golf courses of the world to conduct business and grow the industry. This leading trade show highlights and honors top golf travel suppliers, destinations and services.

"Since the first designer golf course opening in the DR, which was Teeth of the Dog at the world-popular Casa de Campo resort, golf has been a booming facet for the country's tourism industry," said Garcia. "The DR, blessed with breathtaking countryside and pristine beaches, is home to some of the world's most dramatic and spectacular golf courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo."

In honor of the prestigious award, IAGTO will host an official IAGTO FAM trip that will consist of 50 people, 40 IAGTO members (golf tour operators) and 10 members of the International Golf Travel Writers Association to experience the golf offerings of the DR first hand.

In addition to this award, the DR was recently recognized by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 650,000, as "The Player's Paradise," honoring the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki as one of the top 10 best new golf courses in the world.

Also, soon to be released by Golfweek magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 150,000, Punta Espada Golf Course will be ranked number one along with the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki to be ranked number 20 in the Top 50 Courses in the Caribbean and Mexico article.

Rich in history, the Dominican Republic is a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. It also features some of the best golf courses and beaches in the world, the largest marina in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families.

Hotel Paradise Beach Resort & Casino has a new look

Hotel Paradise Beach Resort & Casino of the chain Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, located in the Playa Dorada resort, Puerto Plata, will resume its operations in December after a renovation process in all its facilities.

Grand Paradise Playa Dorada is the new name that will identify the old Paradise Beach Resort & Casino.

The information was released by the vice president of sales & marketing Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, Antonio Herrera, who said to carry out the renovation, the hotel closed its doors to the public on May 6.

Herrera noted that the reshuffle includes the construction of balconies in the rooms that hadn’t previously had one, new furniture and decor, mini flat screen televisions for greater comfort of the guests in the 425 rooms, and remodeled lobby, casino, disco and restaurants.

Dominican Republic airfares plunge as much as 20%

Airfares to Miami, New York and Spain have become 10 and 20 percent cheaper in the last few days due to the start of the high tourist season and lower fuel prices.

For Miami there are offers of US$188 plus taxes, so flyers can get a ticket for RD$11,400, down from its month ago price of RD$15,000.

Fares to New York range from 14 to 15,000 pesos, or 10 percent less, whereas to Puerto Rico remain at RD$16,000 and aren’t expected to decline because there aren’t many airlines that cover that route.

Dominican Travel Agents Association (Adavit) vice president Edison Ureña said the country’s high tourism season and the Christmas festivities begin November 15, when the airlines customarily offer roundtrip specials, with prices now even lower as fuel prices fall.

G20 leaders agree action plan to boost growth

Leaders of the world's top 20 economies have wrapped up a two-day summit in Washington with pledges to boost global growth and overhaul the financial system.

They agreed on an action plan that envisages more government spending, a global free-trade deal, and a reform of financial regulations and financial institutions. G20 finance ministers have been instructed to draw up concrete and detailed reform proposals by March 31 to be brought before a new summit, possibly in London.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed the outcome of the summit, saying it was a reasonable and adequate response to the financial crisis.

Saturday's meeting included the leaders of new heavyweights such as China, India and Brazil. Africa's ECOWAS community has called on the G20 to ensure that Africa has a say in revamping the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Planned plant would produce ethanol, electricity from solid waste in Santo Domingo

The company W2E Resources will construct a plant to produce ethanol and electricity, transforming solid waste, including sugar cane bagasse, at a cost of around US$200 million, and create 750 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs.

The information was offered by the representative of the company, Rafael Jose Zapata, prior to the presentation of the Dominican Biofuels and Renewable Energy Chamber, headed by Alfonso del Carmen Fermin, who said the company will operate in the town Guerra .

Zapata said they are doing the environmental impact study and engineering of the final draft, with construction expected to begin early next year, and around 24 months for the plant's startup.

He siad the plant will transform garbage into ethanol and electricity for Santo Domingo East, the areas of Boca Chica, Punta Caucedo Port and the airport.

Tourist revenues will pay for warplanes in the Dominican

The US$93.7 million loan for the eight Super Tucano combat planes the Chamber of Deputies approved yesterday will be paid from the US$20 each tourist pays upon entering the Dominican Republic, two lawmakers said Wednesday.

Ruling PLD party deputies Teodoro Reyes and Ramon Cabrera said president Leonel Fernández made that decision by decree almost two years ago and opened an account in the Reservas bank for that purpose.

They said that according to reports by Dominican Air Force chief Carlos Altuna Tezanos that account has enough funds to pay the loan installments in the first two years. Altuna met last week with PLD deputies and said Dominican Republic needs the combat aircraft.
The loan was approved despite allegations by PLD deputy Elso Segura Martinez, who said there were rumors that bribes were given in exchange for the approval.

Last year more than 3 million tourists came to the country, providing revenue estimated at more than US$60 million.

Dominican tourist sector to diversify its offer

The Tourism Ministry (Sectur) will implement a strategic plan for tourism development in order to reach the main markets and strengthen the country´s position in those other where it is already leading.

In statements to Bohio International magazine, the new Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García also said Sectur plans to make a follow-up to all projects underway and to consolidate the already obtained achievements."Together with the private sector, we have envisioned a plan to make tourists directly linked with the community.

With the plan called ´Tourists at my home´, visitors will be able to share one day with a Dominican family," García said.Another program plans to create a specialized fund for productive investment in the tourist areas, encompassing the farming, craft and business sectors, the minister announced.

CULTURE AND EDUCATION IN PUERTO PLATA

The reports on the celebration of the carnival in the Puerto Plata city, they date from ends of the 19th century, and its festivity with the arrival of Cuban immigrants was enriched at the beginning of the 20th century.

The central personage is the devil cojuelo, that in Puerto Plata he becomes Taimáscaro, that produces deities Taínas in its masks, with a beautiful suit where elements of the Spanish culture they are symbolized and the African essences, in multicolored tapes in its arms, and all that is complemented with the conches of the Atlantic ocean, as natural elements of identity of the town Puertoplateño.

These festivities are celebrated during all the month of February and March, in the avenue of the Jetty and the streets of the city. Where, the people and adult they entertain and they enjoy the parades of disguises, the music, the popular dances and the different demonstrations of the art and the culture represented in the carnival that reflects our cultural identity.

Each year the organizers of the carnival, they choose the King Momo, that represents the person of the city that more has fought for maintaining its traditions. 4,2. Victorian architecture The Puerto Plata city is characterized for their architecture in which dominates a Victorian called style, where they converge various architectural styles, giving him a various character to the process of urban development development. Inside this variety is the old style related to the colonial epoch, of which remains as an example the Fortress San Felipe.

Then developed the Victorian model, because of the French, Italian, German, English immigrations and other European countries, which began after the War Restorer and had its height to ends of the 19th century and starts of the XX. This style was utilized in dwellings and in buildings destined to social activities. This type of construction gives an own image to the province.

Finally, it develops in Puerto Plata a modern architecture, because of the American occupation (1916 and 1924) and continued under it was of Trujillo, based on constructions of blocks and cement. Currently with the tourist boom has developed a new architecture based on the environments.

Currently, the municipality of San Felipe of Puerto Plata counts on 182 Educational Centers of which the 67% corresponds to the public sector and the 39% to the private sector.

This municipality counts on a total of 29.279 students, of them 1.567 corresponds at the Initial level, 19.395 at the Basic level, 6642 at the Medium level, 1.505 students to the subsystem of adults, 84 students of special education and 86 of the labor school.

Besides the universities fours operation counts on itself that offer different careers of technical and upper degree. Said universities are: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCAMM), Universidad Dominicana O & M, universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA) y el Centro Universitario Regional del Atlántico de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (CURA- UASD).

History of Puerto Plata

Some differences among the historians exist that have written on the year in which Puerto Plata was founded. Emilio Rodriguez Demorizi, José August Puig Ortiz, Américo Lugo and Samuel Hazard, they give as good and valid, that you take care of was based it on the 1502 by Nicolas of Ovando; thus they collect it in their main works.


Other historians vary the date of his foundation: the Full doctor affirms, that was in the 1503. The Dr. Joaquín Marine Incháustegui, in his Dominican history he plant that he was in 1504. The Dr. Manuel Arturo Rock Batlle indicates that Port Silver was founded in 1505.


The historians, Alonso Rodriguez Demorizi (brother of Emilio) and Hyacinth Gimbernard, they express that was in the year 1496 and the Spanish Father says that in 1506. The historic informations, on the Silver Port foundation they are inexact.


Nicolas of Ovando, above-mentioned to have a port in the northern coast of the island, the origin of its foundation dates near 1502. Around 1555, the Puerto Plata's importance had been lost and became one of the places of the Antilles where was practiced the contraband with the pirates and the pirates of the Caribbean.


The Admiral, Christopher Columbus, in its first trip, named the Monte de Plata, the today montaña Isabel de Torres, observed that in its high top always it is foggy that cause they appear it as silver and of low of its mountain, to the edge of the sea, took the port of the name, for which Puerto de Plata was called. A century and middle later and with the use, him was suppressed the preposition of, and Puerto Plata was called simply, like him is known today.


The city was designed by the brothers Christopher and Bartolomé Columbus, in the 1496 and based on the year 1502 by Frey Nicolás de Ovando.


In its first phase of Spanish Colony was respected the main commercial and maritime port of the island. In 1605 it was depopulated and destroyed by order of Fernando III, to avoid the advance of the English piracy and Holland that took as base the north part of the Atlantic one.


A hundred years later, was repopulated again with new inhabitants originating in the Canaries that were mostly farmers. From 1822 to 1844 the city was low Haitian control. Of 1844 on it begins the republican period and the city recovers its maritime and commercial boom.
The city grew under the influence of the European immigration, who they contributed its cultural and social quota; what itself reflection in its inhabitants; who they possessed a culture that distinguished him of the other cities of the country.


In 1863, during the period of the War Restorer, the city was set on fire completely, initiating from 1865, the construction of the current Silver Port city. Under the influence of the Victorian architecture considered the most advanced one of its epoch, the Silver Port city is converted to halfway through of the 18th century in a city of great importance by its cultural, social, maritime, and economic development.

Puerto Plata

The North Coast is the center of a third of the nation's hotel rooms, or more than 17,000. At the heart of this region, the city of Puerto Plata curves around the base of towering Mt. Isabel de Torres, whose pinnacle can be reached by an electrified sky lift system called the “teleférico”.

A manicured botanical garden dominated by an illuminated statue of Christ - a scaled-down version of the one in Rio de Janeiro - crowns its summit. More adventurous types can reach the summit on foot. The charm of Puerto Plata, the largest city on the North Coast, is enhanced by the extent and variety of its Victorian architecture, unrivaled by any other Dominican city. Stylistically, the gingerbread motifs, wooden 'lace' filigree, and pastel colors of its houses and public buildings convey the romantic aura of an earlier time, but functionally they house a tourist-oriented city's businesses, offices, shops, bars, restaurants and clubs.

History is also preserved here in the imposing San Felipe Fort, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century as protection against seaborne invaders. The fort, which was used as a prison until the 1960's, now houses a fine museum that documents its interesting history. Take time to see Puerto Plata's extraordinary Amber Museum, the Brugal rum factory, and the length of the Malecón, the lively seaside boulevard.

Attractions

Downtown Puerto Plata

Visit the city's central park, Parque Luperon, and make a stop at the picturesque church, Iglesia de San Felipe. Several inexpensive cafeterias are nearby, in addition to numerous stores specializing in local crafts. In downtown Puerto Plata you will find the last remaining Victorian gingerbread buildings - elegant 19th century structures which are quickly disappearing due to commercial development.

The Amber Museum

Located on the second floor of a Victorian mansion, the Amber Museum is perhaps one of Puerto Plata's best known tourist attractions. Open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, the Amber Museum features collections of fossilized resin (Amber), some of which contain remarkably preserved specimens dating back thousands of years.

Mount Isabel de Torres

Undoubtedly Puerto Plata's most impressive geographic feature, 2,600 foot Mount Isabel is also a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. After a seven minute cable car ride up the nearly vertical slope, visitors will find botanical gardens, a statue of Christ similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, and a superb restaurant, in addition, of course, to breathtaking views of the city and surrounding sea.

Playa Dorada

Home to the majority of Puerto Plata's "all-inclusive" resorts, Playa Dorada features two golf courses, casinos, a shopping mall, and over 15 miles of beaches and the Home of the Sea Pro Divers Company. Although most of the property in Playa Dorada is private, the beach itself is open to the public and can be accessed at the end of the main road running through the complex.

The Brugal Rum Factory

Producing over a million and a half liters of white and dark rum each year, Brugal is the drink of choice for many North Coast Dominicans (with Barcelo being favoured in the South). Although no distillation actually takes place at the Brugal Factory, visitors are given a brief tour of Brugal's bottling operations and are treated to a refreshing drink featuring, but of course, Brugal rum. Open 9:00 am - noon & 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

The Malecón & Fort San Felipe

The Malecón is an ocean side road featuring numerous cafes and small restaurants. Although the small beach is not suitable for swimming, a leisurely stroll along the Malecón offers fresh ocean breezes and excellent people watching. The Malecón is especially popular on weekends and at night when road side vendors prepare small snacks and several discos blast music into the early morning hours.

Walking west along the Malecón will lead visitor to Fuerte San Felipe, Puerto Plata's only remaining colonial structure. Located on a small peninsula on Puerto Plata Bay, Bahia de Puerto Plata, it was at Fuerte San Felipe that Columbus had hoped to establish the first Spanish colony in the New World (the colony in Puerto Plata, however, did not last long and the Spanish resettled on the island's Southern Coast at Santo Domingo). The fort features a moat, historical artifacts, and a small museum.

Dominican Tourism Growth in 2008

Between January and August 2,567,050 tourists visited the Dominican Republic, according to its Ministry of Tourism. This is a 4.5% increase compared to the same period in 2007, when 2,455,932 tourists visited.

Over half the tourists came through Punta Cana International Airport (54.7%), while the remaining amount came through Las Americas International Airport (19.3%), Puerto Plata (15.8%) and La Romana (5.5%).

A small number of tourists arrived by Santiago's central Cibao airport, or Isabela airport in Santo Domingo and El Catey airport in Samaná.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Russian tourist market grew considerably in 2008 with an 83% increase in Russian tourists compared to last year, Ukrainian tourism is up 11% and Polish tourism is up 92.5%.

From Latin America, there were also increases. There were increases from Brazil (up 32.5%), Ecuador (up 37.9%), Mexico (up 15.5%), Chile (up 44.8%), Argentina (up 38.1%) and Colombia (30.1%) as air links improved.

Dominican all-inclusive hotels gain popularity

The Dominican Republic offers the best value of the top all-inclusive destinations, while Jamaica is starting to see lower rates, but it doesn't offer the quality and value of Mexico and the Dominican Republic, said Juan Aguirre, vice president of Miami-based tour operator MK Travelplan.

Airfare to the bigger destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic also tends to be lower, especially compared with islands in the eastern Caribbean.
Price and style vary significantly, from luxury boutique hotels charging $700 per room in low season to sprawling campuses with basic rooms that cost less than $200. "All-inclusive can mean anything today."

Macroeconomy of the Dominican Republic

The decline in economic growth in the US is starting to make its impact felt on the Dominican Republic, with remittance growth slowing substantially during the first half of this year to 6.6%, compared to 13.9% during the same period a year earlier.

Measuring US$1.56bn during the first six months of 2008, we believe that remittances this year will struggle to substantially exceed last year's US$3.03bn figure. We believe that remittances could start to decline in 2009, as the impact of a US recession weighs on funds available for relatives to send home.

Not only will this negatively affect the Dominican Republic's current transfer balance, with the country's current account deficit set to widen to 11.9% of GDP in 2008 (from 6.1% in 2007), but we believe that real GDP growth will also suffer as a result, forecasting 3.4% growth in 2009.

Headline inflation in the Dominican Republic edged higher in December, bringing the end-year figure to 8.9% y-o-y, as food prices and energy costs translated into higher consumer prices.

Indeed, prices of food, non-alcoholic beverages and tobacco expanded by 8.8% y-o-y in December, up from 5.1% y-o-y in November and 5.8% during the same period a year earlier. The most remarkable upward trend, however, has been in transportation costs, with prices rising by an impressive 18.0% y-o-y, slightly down from a high of 19.2% y-o-y in November, and well above the 3.0% y-o-y increase in December 2006. We currently forecast inflation to average 7.4% y-o-y in 2008, and slow to 6.0% by year-end.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane was originally from tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. Different species likely originated in different locations with S. barberi originating in India and S. edule and S. officinarum coming from New Guinea. The thick stalk stores energy as sucrose in the sap. From this juice, sugar is extracted by evaporating the water. Crystallized sugar was reported 5000 years ago in India.

Around the eighth century A.D., Arabs introduced sugar to the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain. By the tenth century, sources state, there was no village in Mesopotamia that didn't grow sugar cane. It was among the early crops brought to the Americas by Spaniards. Brazil is currently the biggest sugar cane producing country.

The methods of growing sugarcane and processing sugar were technologies transferred to China from India in the 7th century, during the reign of Harsha (r. 606–647) over North India and the reign of Emperor Taizong (r. 626–649) over Tang China. Two sugar makers summoned from leaders of Mahabodhi Temple traveled alongside a delegation of Buddhist monks to China, where they successfully taught the Chinese how to grow sugarcane and produce sugar.

A boiling house was used in the 17th through 19th centuries to make sugarcane juice into raw sugar. These houses were add-ons to the sugar plantations in the western colonies. This process was often conducted by the African slaves, under very poor conditions. The boiling house was made of cut stone. The furnaces were rectangular boxes of brick or stone with openings near to one side, and at the bottom to stoke the fire and pull out the ashes. At the top of each furnace were up to seven copper kettles or boilers, each one smaller than the previous one and hotter.

The cane juice was placed in the first copper kettle which was the largest. The juice was then heated and a little lime added to remove impurities. The juice was then skimmed then channeled to the other copper kettles. The last kettle, which was called the 'teache' was where the cane juice became syrup. It was then put into cooling troughs where the sugar crystals hardened around a sticky core of molasses. The raw sugar was then shoveled from the cooling trough into hogsheads (wooden barrels) where they were put in the curing house.

Sugarcane was, and still is, extensively grown in the Caribbean, where it was first brought by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to The Americas, initially to the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic) . In colonial times, sugar was a major product of the triangular trade of New World raw materials, European manufactures, and African slaves.

France found its sugarcane islands so valuable it effectively traded its portion of Canada, famously dubbed "a few acres of snow," to Britain for their return of Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia at the end of the Seven Years' War. The Dutch similarly kept Suriname, a sugar colony in South America, instead of seeking the return of the New Netherlands (New Amsterdam).

Cuban sugarcane produced sugar that received price supports from and a guaranteed market in the USSR; the dissolution of that country forced the closure of most of Cuba's sugar industry. Sugarcane remains an important part of the economy of Belize, Barbados, Haiti along with the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and other islands. The sugarcane industry is a major export for the Caribbean, but it is expected to collapse with the removal of European preferences by 2009.

Sugarcane production greatly influenced many tropical Pacific islands, including Okinawa and most particularly Hawaii and Fiji. In these islands, sugar cane came to dominate the economic and political landscape after the arrival of powerful European and American agricultural business, which promoted immigration from various Asian countries for workers to tend and harvest the crop.

Sugar-industry policies eventually established the ethnic makeup of the island populations that now exist, profoundly affecting modern politics and society in the islands.

Cuba is a major grower of sugarcane, which is used to produce sugar and provide the ethanol used in making gasoline-ethanol blends (gasohol) for transportation fuel. In India, sugarcane is sold as jaggery and also refined into sugar, primarily for consumption in tea and sweets, and for the production of alcoholic beverages.

Dominican help allows faster recovery in Cuba

Havana.– The roofs of school and health facilities in eastern Las Tunas province (660 kilometers east of Havana city) are being repaired with 4,000 zinc sheets and 5,000 wooden strips donated by the Dominican Republic.

Granma newspaper reports that, just a few hours after the beginning of the fast and organized distribution of this aid, everybody agrees that it was the right thing to use those resources to repair these facilities severely damaged by Hurricane Ike’s winds that battered Cuba last September.

This decision, analyzed in the Civil Defense Council at the request of the provincial government, will benefit some 1,420 families whose children study in 13 schools currently being repaired.
Also being repaired are several senior citizen clubs in the Jesus Menendez, Puerto Padre and Manatí municipalities, as well as a maternity home and a dozen medical facilities.

Dominican Rum Brugal now in the British Market

Dominican Rum brand Brugal is to be launched in the United Kingdom on trade this month. Distributed by Maxxium, the rum produced in the Brugal produced in the Dominican Republic is currently the fourth largest rum in Europe, with over one million cases being sold last year in Spain.

Two varieties will launch in the UK: Brugal Anejo Golden Rum and more premium product Brugal Extra Viejo Golden Rum. Maxxium is supporting the launch with a program of bar staff education, trade incentives and advertising.

The launch comes at a time of increased publicity around rum, with Rum Fest, Europe’s only festival dedicated to the spirit, taking place in London on October 25 and 26.

Brugal brand manager Karen Dobie said: “The launch of Brugal into the UK is very exciting. It will be a fantastic addition to the Maxxium brand portfolio and that of our trade customers. We feel the brand authenticity and heritage will really resonate with consumers and provide them with an authentic taste of the Caribbean.”

Santo Domingo (city, Dominican Republic)

Formerly Ciudad Trujillo, largest city, chief seaport, and capital of the Dominican Republic, in the southern part of the country, capital of the National District, on the Caribbean Sea. Located at the point where the Ozama River flows into the Caribbean, the city has a fine artificial harbor accessible to most commercial and passenger ships. It is connected by both ship and airlines with principal points in North and South America and is at the hub of a network of modern roads.

Santo Domingo is a tourist, economic, and administrative center. Points of interest include the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (built 1514-1520), believed to contain the remains of Christopher Columbus; the ruins of the palace of Columbus's brother Diego; 16th-century churches, such as San Nicolás and San Francisco; and the fortified walls of the original Spanish town. Educational and cultural institutions include the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, dating from 1538 and said to be the oldest university in the Americas, and Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University, established in 1966.

Founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher Columbus, the city is the oldest European settlement extant in the New World. In 1930 it was heavily damaged by a hurricane but was subsequently rebuilt. In 1936 it was renamed Ciudad Trujillo for the Dominican President Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina. It became Santo Domingo again in 1961 after the assassination of Trujillo and the subsequent fall of his regime. In 1965 the city was the scene of an uprising against the ruling government of the Dominican Republic.

Culture of the Dominican Republic

The first permanent colony of Europeans in the western hemisphere was established in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 by the brother of Christopher Columbus, was the first permanent city in the New World. Some of the old colonial buildings are still standing, fine examples of which are in Santo Domingo. The colonial center of Santo Domingo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

Art, music, and literature developed in part along Western patterns, with a strong African cultural component. The African heritage is especially notable in the country’s folk culture, particularly the music. The two traditions—African and Spanish—blend in the popular national song and dance, the merengue. Merengue music can be heard everywhere on the island, and every summer Santo Domingo holds a two-week merengue festival at which the world’s finest merengue bands and merengue dancers appear.

Most of the country’s major cultural institutions are in Santo Domingo. They include the Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), a museum of colonial life; the Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of the Dominican Man), with exhibits on pre-Columbian life on the island; and the Museo de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art), with works by Dominican artists. The National Aquarium and National Botanical Garden, also in Santo Domingo, feature impressive displays. Puerto Plata on the north coast of the island has the Museo de Ambar, which displays unusual pieces of Dominican amber with plants and insects and other animals embedded inside them.

Among the country’s most beloved writers is Salomé Ureña de Henríquez, who is considered a national poet. She lived in the second half of the 1800s and in 1881 organized the Instituto de Señoritas, the first Dominican center of higher education for women. Her two sons, Pedro and Max Henríquez Ureña, became distinguished Latin American writers and thinkers.

Other Dominican writers include Gastón Fernando Deligne, a modernist poet of the late 1800s and early 1900s; Fabio Fiallo, author of delicate love lyrics in the early 1900s; Manuel de Jesús Galván, author of Enriquillo (1882), a historical novel based on an early Native American revolt against the Spaniards; and Manuel del Cabral, a versatile 20th-century poet whose work showed his strong sympathies with the country’s impoverished blacks.

Juan Bosch, president of the republic in 1963, was also the most distinguished Dominican writer of the mid 20th century, well known as a novelist, short story writer, and essayist.

Joaquín Balaguer, the republic’s president from 1986 to 1996, was also an accomplished writer on many topics. Much of the best known Dominican writing today comes from Dominicans who have emigrated. Julia Alvarez, who moved with her family from the Dominican Republic to New York City at the age of 10, has written about the collision of the two cultures in such works as the novel How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (1991) and the children’s book How Tia Lola Came to Stay (2001).

Cabarete Windsurfing & Kitesurfing

Cabarete hasn't been known as a windsurfing destination until the late 80's, but in the recent years it has become very popular thanks to its wonderful conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The Eastern Trade Winds provide strong and consistent wind all year round. The water is warm all year round, so there's no need to bring your wetsuit.

All windsurfing centers in Cabarete are located right in the Bay for easy rigging and direct launch from the beach at their site. You can rent gear, store gear, purchase gear and take every level of instruction from each windsurfing center.

In the morning wind conditions in Cabarete are good for beginners or children: the wind is very light and the water tends to be flat. In the afternoon the wind increases for intermediate and expert level windsurfing, and blows until 6 p.m. The normal wind direction is South-East, cross offshore.

Cabarete Bay has a sandy bottom, with only a few spots of reef in the inner bay that are quite easy to avoid. The offshore reef is about 600m away from the beach. The great advantage of Cabarete windsurfing is that here in one place you have two types of sailing conditions - waves and flat water. Beginners and intermediates will feel comfortable inside the reef, where flat water (or chop sometimes) are optimal for learning and practicing new elements. More ambitious windsurfers can go to the reef for wave sailing.

During the winter windsurfing season (December to April), the wind is less constant but wave freaks can ride down reef waves up to 4 m in height. This period is great to learn and practice wave sailing. Average sail size for mid-sized Male: 5.7m2.

The period from June to September is the summer windsurfing season in the Dominican Republic. The wind tends to be stronger than in winter. Waves are not as consistent as in other periods, but flatter waters are great for slalom sailing. Average sail size for mid-sized Male: 5.3m2.

The months of May, and the period from October to the end of December, are less reliable in terms of sailing conditions. It can vary from not very good to excellent, depending on the weather systems moving through the area.

Diving in the Dominican Republic

The dive spots of the Dominican Republic is a heaven for an experienced diver, and also a good place to start diving. The weather conditions, warm waters and good visibility, allows to dive all year around. The undersea world has excellent reef diving, good visibility, warm waters, wrecks, caverns and marine life offering a wealth of diving experiences around the island.

The marine life is very diverse: there are hundreds of tropical fish, coral and plant life. The grouper and porcupine fish are amongst frequently spotted fish.

Magnificent and brightly-colored fan coral are habitants of the iridescent reefs with illusive visitors like whale sharks, mantas, and the cheerful dolphins. Other mammals like the Manatees are found in the endless mangrove forests and lovesick humpback whales in the Bahia de Samana in the season.

Diving conditions in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has primarily tropical climate, with more local variations in temperature than seasonal ones. Visibility can be expected to be between 50 and 100 feet (15 - 30m) and the average water temperature is between 25-29°C (76-82°F). Recommended insulation is a thin lycra suit or a 3mm “shorty” wetsuit for snorkeling and diving. For rainy days and multiple diving a 3mm full wetsuit is necessary.

Rafting and canyoning in the Dominican Republic

Rafting
River rafting in the Dominican Republic takes place in the mountains of the Cordillera Central along the country's longest river, the Yaque del Norte. The river is considered to be a quite technical one, and rafting here is more interesting in wet months of the year, with plenty of water.

The majority of companies, organizing rafting tours, are based in the town of Jarabacoa. Rafting boats are usually big enough for about eight people. Life jackets, helmets and wet suits are provided by a rafting company.

Canyoning
Canyoning (frequently referred to as "canyoneering" in the United States) is a fascinating form of outdoor activity, including hiking, climbing, jumping, swimming and rappelling to the bottom of a river canyon - in other words, all actions you have to do to get from Point A to Point B. The aim of canyoning is to overcome the obstacles you meet on your way.

Canyoning can be done in any place with suitable and challenging terrain. Mountain rivers of the Dominican Republic are perfect for this activity.
The equipment you need for canyoning includes a helmet, wet suit, harness and ropes. All these things are usually provided by companies that organize canyoning tours.

Golf in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic has become an extremely popular golf destination due to a combination of outstanding year round summer weather and the varied terrain. Golfing in the Dominican Republic is a pleasure both for serious and recreational players. It's difficult to say what season is the best for golf - thanks to the tropical climate golfers are able to play all year round.

Many of Dominican golf courses are located along the coastline and provide magnificent views of the ocean. Hills and coastline are incorporated into the design to challenge the golfers.
The majority of the golf courses are located in resort areas. Golf packages of any kind are available at resorts around the Dominican Republic. The golf packages usually include room, meals, and drinks, include green fees and cart rentals. Many golf resorts provide clinics and lessons. Some of them host annual tournaments.

Dominican Republic Golf Clubs

Barcelo Bavaro Golf
This golf course is part of the Barcelo Bavaro Resort complex. It is is flat, very playable, usually in excellent condition.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 6,376 yards Bavaro

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club is located just 20 minutes from the Santo Domingo airport and less than a 10 minute drive from Coral Costa Caribe Beach Hotel.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 7,156 yards

Las Lagunas Country Club

Las Lagunas Club is widely spread over hilly terrain and offers scenic views. It is located in a 15-minute drive from Santo Domingo.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 6,800 yards

Los Mangos Golf Course

Los Mangos Golf Course is located only five minutes from Puerto Plata. Golfers play among tropical fruit trees.

Number of Holes: 9

Length of Course: 3,300 yards

Innovative and challenging sea-fronting golf course, designed by Pete Dye. Golfers will enjoy great ocean and panoramic views.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 7,150 yards

The Teeth of the Dog

This world renown championship course is designed by Pete Dye and ranked 28th of top 100 golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine (September 1999). In fact, it is the only Caribbean golf course included in the ranking.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: Men 6,888, 6,057, 5,571/ women 5,571, 5,041 Casa de Campo, La Romana.

Dominican Republic Tourism Up 6.55% In First Half Of 2008

According to a recent report issued by the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism, overall visitors to the DR in the first half of 2008 increased by 6.55 percent compared to the same period in 2007.* Approximately 2.2 million guests selected the DR as their vacation spot of choice in the first half of 2008.

According to Central Bank of Dominican Republic (http://www.bancentral.gov.do/), as of July 31, 2008, there were 2,602,675 visitors to the DR, a 3.81 percent increase compared to the same period in 2007.

The U.S. continues as the largest visitors market with 32.2 percent followed by Canada at 22.6 percent, France with 9 percent, Spain with 5.7 percent, Germany with 5.6 percent and UK with 5 percent.

The most popular destination remains Punta Cana. The region’s international airport received approximately 53.5 percent of 2008 first half arrivals followed by Las Americas in Santo Domingo.

Puerto Plata International Airport received approximately 16.6 percent of the arrivals, followed by La Romana with 6.06 percent.

Affirming the DR’s popularity as a growing tourism destination, JetBlue will launch its first intra-Caribbean service with daily nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and the DR beginning Dec. 18, 2008. “The DR is dedicated to supporting JetBlue’s efforts to provide the Caribbean with additional air service,” said DR Vice Minister of Tourism Magaly Toribio. “JetBlue’s new flights to our capital city, Santo Domingo, will help meet the growing demand of visitors and enhance our collective economies.”

JetBlue will also offer nonstop service between Boston and Santo Domingo, with a once-daily "holiday shuttle" in December and January. The airline will bolster its frequency between John F. Kennedy International Airport and the DR by adding a fourth daily flight to Santiago, a third to Santo Domingo, and a second to Puerto Plata over the holiday season.

Delta Airlines will also add flights to the DR this winter with daily service from Atlanta to Puerto Plata beginning Dec. 20 and continue indefinitely. A second daily flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana will begin Dec. 20 - Jan. 4 and Feb. 14 - Apr. 19, 2009. Finally, Delta will add a second Saturday flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana International Airport beginning Jan. 5 - Feb. 12 and Apr. 20 - June 30, 2009.

Rich in history, the Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Since then, it has developed into a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. At 10,000 feet, the Dominican Republic is home to the highest point in the Caribbean. It also features some of the best golf courses and beaches in the world, the largest marina in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families.