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.

Government and legislation in the DR

The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy whose national powers are divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4-year terms.

Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral congress : the senate (30 members), and the chamber of deputies (120 members). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four.

The legal system in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Legal System, derived from laws or statues known as Napoleonic code, which were introduced to the country during the period from 1822 to 1844, when Haiti maintained political control over the entire island of Hispaniola (following the revolt and freedom from Spain in 1821). To be sure, the influence of French government and ideals goes deeper than just this period. France actually controlled the present day Dominican Republic during different periods of its history, so it is not so unusual to find this Spanish speaking country with a legal system based upon the French model.

The legal system then is that of Civil Law and not Common Law. For a generalized comparison, this means that judges hear and decide cases, not juries. The courts are comprised of the following:

Peace Courts: this really can be called a sort of generalized civil court, designed to hear small cases and those cases of a minor nature. The cases heard in a peace court are presented in front of a judge, who has the responsibility of hearing the case and rendering a verdict. For the most part, since each district has it's own peace court, we can say that this is the first level court to hear local matters and disputes.

Courts of First Instance: Like the peace courts, there is only one judge assigned to hear and decide a case. These courts are more specialized than the peace courts and are broken down into chambers according to the nature of the case being heard. As an example, there may be separate chambers for civil matters, criminal and commercial matters. To highlight the difference between this and the peace courts; a dispute with your neighbor over his dog tearing up your garden will be heard by a peace court. A dispute over legal land title or a more serious criminal matter would go to a court of first instance.

Appeals Courts: Consisting of a five judge panel, the appeals courts have the responsibility to hear cases or verdicts previously rendered by a court of first instance. In simpler terms, if you disagree with the judgment presented by a judge in the court of first instance, you may appeal your case to the appeals courts.

This system is quite different than the American System, in that there is a panel of five judges who must collectively render a decision on a case and decide if the judge in the courts of first instance was correct or not in his decision.

Supreme Court of Justice: Consisting of a 16 judge panel, the Supreme Court has the responsibility to hear cases decided upon in other courts. The Supreme Court however can only review a case whereby the interpretation of the law is in question.

History of Constanza city of the Dominican Republic

The name of Constanza has its origin in the legend the daughter of a local taino cacique whom lived in the valley. In 1852, the British explorer and consul Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk mentions the existance of a farm in the valley of Constanza. The town was formally founded in 1894. In September 9, 1907 the town was incorporated into a municipality in the province of La Vega.

In 1955, the municipality of Jarabacoa and the municipality of Constanza were made into a province called Jarabacoa with Constanza as it's capital. It was named Jarabacoa because of the river that passed the 2 municipalities.

On June 14, 1959 a plane landed in an airstrip with more than forty rebels with the purpose of deposing the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. They fought in the nearby mountains, and after two months against the Dominican Army managed to end the rebellion.


From this mountain destination with cool temperatures and scenic beauty, many of our fruits and flowers come from this region.

In love with the Dominican Republic??

First time visitors to the Dominican Republic must be warned - there is a very big chance of falling in love with this country, a love affair that may last your lifetime!
The Dominican Republic is a very large island and depending on which airport you fly into you will be able to access different parts of the island easily.

Santo Domingo is the capital and the first city of the "New World". It offers some great historical sites and dining/nightlife.

To the East of Santo Domingo are the famous beaches of Punta Cana perfect for a holiday of white sand, palm tree lined beaches.

The center of the island is home to "Pico Duarte" - the highest mountain in the entire Caribbean. It's excellent for hiking.

The North Coast, or Amber Coast, of the Dominican Republic offers beautiful beaches in Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete. Cabarete is a kiteboarding and windsurfing capital of the world, one of the best places on earth to practice these fun water sports.This country is perfect for dancing salsa, drinking rum, and enjoying the relaxed island lifestyle!

Dominican Republic Family Paradise

The Dominican Republic is a family paradise destination. Perhaps overlooked, but still a paradise. There are a number of all-inclusive resorts in the area, which feature activities for adults as well as children, and tons of kid-friendly activities throughout the region.

If you’re staying at a beachside resort, many children will be entertained for days playing on the sand, and perhaps enjoying snorkeling and swimming. If it’s the right time of the year (January to April) take a boat tour to do some whale watching. Your kids will be the envy of all their friends.

A hugely popular activity in the Dominican Republic is horseback riding. This is a great activity for the school-age child who wants a little more excitement in his or her day than sitting beachside. Many of the horseback facilities in the Dominican Republic use Creole horses, who are trained to move slowly especially for children and who are known for their tameness.

Also for older children, there are a number of memory-creating activities to be found here. How about ocean kayaking? Many resorts will offer the equipment for free, or if you’re not staying there, for a small fee. Also popular are visits to cascading waterfalls, going canyoning (better for older children as this involves strenuous physical activity) and mountain biking.

What to do in the DR

Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of day trips, excursions, tours and attractions. Going all the way from, horses, waterfalls, fishing, diving, jeep tours and tons of other things to do and amazing places to visit.

Get out from your resort for whale watching in Samana, check out Santo Domingo city, or check out the national park on Saona Island.

Excursions: Go to the plaza and bargain for your excursions by choosing several. Listen to their offers, and then bargain to see if you can improve upon it .

Cabarete, offers many sport experiences, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, surfing and much, much more.

You can also take the city tour. A guide will pick you up when you request it and you will see Puerto Plata town, the rum factory, amber museum, take a cable car to the mountain top, the fort, a plantation, the Market, Central Park, the baseball stadium, local homes and all of the things like traffic and the real way of life.

You can stop at a cigar place and roll your own cigars. Buy rum in the factory and souvenirs in the market such as paintings, things made from cow horns, statues which were made in Haiti, cd's, amazing hand designed photo albums, t-shirts, beach bags with shells etc.

You can also visit Ocean World Dolphin Swim and as they say it is an experience of a lifetime. The charge of $145 includes a lunch (but no drink) and transportation to and from the hotel in a bus and access to all the shows and the snorkel reef, beach and pool.

The sea lion show is fun - these animals are intelligent and they are great. They also have shows with birds, dolphins and sharks. And the dolphin swim is terrific. You can purchase the pictures after for about 10$ each but you can also carry your camera. The gift shop has great stuff at affordable prices.

There are also good excursions for a Safari which also goes to the waterfalls, a Catamaran ride and a visit to Paradise Island.

Santo Domingo

Despite boasting a rich cultural, architectural and artistic heritage, Santo Domingo has not been exploited for all its tourist potential. You're pretty much on your own to discover this fascinating city. Make the most of your time there.

Colonial Zone

Santo Domingo was the first major european settlement in the New World. Christopher Columbus walked these streets! Check out the many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture in the Colonial Zone. Don't miss the Ozama Fort, the Alcazar de Colon and the Cathedral, all built in Columbus' lifetime. Check out La Atarrazana street after dark for a variety of romantic outdoor cafes with a spectacular view of the Alcazar and bay area. One such brasserie, Pat E Palo, has operated uninterrupted since 1505. Check out the house where Ponce DeLeon lived before he embarked upon his quest for the fountain of youth and ended up discovering Florida.

Malecon

This waterfront boulevard (George Washington Avenue) is home to several huge hotel/casino complexes and dozens of small restaurants, clubs and cafes. Go there to people watch, take a romantic carriage ride or just have a few beers. Site of many festivals and concerts throughout the year. Parallel to the Malecon you will find Avenida Independencia, a tree lined street full of shops, bed and breakfasts and affordable restaurants with a nice mix of locals and tourists. For a unique dining experience check out Adrian Tropical, a traditional Dominican restaurant literally built on the water, or San Gil, a more formal eatery occupying the ruins of a colonial fort. The Malecon Center, located on the far end of the Malecon, is a new and still underoccupied high-end shopping center/hotel/condo complex with a Botero sculpture out front that reportedly cost US$1 million.

Plaza de la Cultura

Walk all the way down the Malecon to Avenida Maximo Gomez and take a left. Walk past the McDonald's and Pizza Hut until you reach the Plaza de la Cultura. This amazing complex is home to the National Theater and five museums, ranging from the delapidated and mundane, to the crisp, modern Museum of Modern Art, the largest in the Caribbean and home to exhibits by artists from Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and of course, the Dominican Republic. If want a nice beautiful garden to read or talk this is your place also.

Upscale Santo Domingo

If you want to see the cosmopolitan, upscale side of Santo Domingo, head to the Piantini and Naco neighborhoods. Streets like Gustavo Mejía Ricard and major avenues like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill are lined with high end boutiques, shopping plazas, expensive cafes and restaurants offering a huge variety of international cuisines and just about anything money can buy, from cigar shops to Ferrari and Bentley dealerships. Don't miss Acropolis Center, an ultra-modern shopping center/office building where you will find everything from TGI Friday's to Prada.

Eco-Tourism

Find your way to the Parque Mirador Sur, an impressive park overlooking the coast. From there, visit the Jardin Botanico, a vast, beautiful and lush park situated near one of Santo Domingo's most exclusive neighborhoods.

Eastern Santo Domingo

Refered to as Santo Domingo Oriental, this separate municipality is not very tourist-friendly. Fortunately, most of its attractions are very close to the Colonial Zone and easy to get to. Check out the Tres Ojos, or Three Eyes, a series of open-roof caverns and underground lakes for the whole family to explore. Head over to the Faro a Colon, a huge lighthouse and monument to Christopher Columbus which not only houses his remains but doubles as a museum. Check out the Santo Domingo Aquarium, a small but impressive showcase of the local aquatic life.
Beach
Unfortunately, there isn't a beach in Santo Domingo, despite being on the water's edge. The closest beach is Boca Chica, which is about a half hour away, just past the airport and shipping port.

Museums

In the Colonial Zone:

Alcázar de Colón - Visit this stunning villa, built in 1510 and retaining period furnishings and other items owned by Governor Diego Colón, first-born son of Christopher Columbus.

Naval Museum of the Atarazanas Located across the plaza from the Alcazar de Colon on Calle Atarazana, the oldest street in the Western Hemisphere.

Museum of the Casas Reales Another great museum featuring collections depicting life in 16th century Santo Domingo. Located on Calle Las Damas, walking distance from the Alcazar de Colon and the Naval Museum.

World of Ambar Museum An impressive collection of Amber stones and aksd

Museum of Duarte A collection of artifacts and writings regarding the Dominican Republic's founding father, Juan Pablo Duarte. Located on Calle Isabel La Catolica, a few blocks west of the above museums.

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Dominican Man

Museum of Modern Art

National Museum of History and Geography

BUSINESS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Main imports: Food, petroleum, cotton, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Main exports: Ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee and cocoa.
Main trade partners: Spain, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and USA.

Economy

Agricultural cash crops and the mining industry form the basis of the Dominican Republic's economy and are the country's main export commodities. Other industrial investments are food, drinks, chemicals and the refining of imported oil. Tourism now is contribute number one in this country. The economy experienced some problems with growth and unemployment in 2003. At the same time, the Dominican peso lost a third of its value against the dollar. (A major cause was the collapse of the international sugar market.)

Strict fiscal targets agreed in the 2004 renegotiation of an IMF standby loan helped President Fernandez stabilise the country's financial situation. The economy is growing respectably but unemployment remains a difficulty. Another problem is income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% has nearly 40%. The country relies on substantial foreign aid. The Dominican Republic is a member of CARICOM, the major regional trading bloc.

Business Etiquette

It is usual for businesspeople to dress smartly and to deal formally with each other at first, although the general atmosphere is informal. Spanish is the main business language and a knowledge of it will be of assistance. Hotels can usually assist with interpreter services.

Office hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00.
Government office hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-15:00.