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.

The Dominican Republic important destination for visitors from Switzerland

The secretary of Tourism, Felix Jimenez, reported that Dominican Republic has become an important destination for Swiss visitors.

At a press conference conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, the official stressed that a sample of that attraction is the fact that tourism from that nation grew 7.2% in the first five months of this year and 25% in May and visited the Jimenez other nations during a tour of Europe in pursuit of strengthening bilateral ties and make known the initiatives of the Dominican Government through the Committee on Infrastructure Development Bank Holiday Resorts (Ceiztur).

He referred to the project of the Hot Springs salamander in Canoeing, Barahona, which involves an investment of about 25000 million pesos, whose completion is expected by 2012. The complex will have about 1000 rooms, convention center, tennis courts suitable for international competitions and hot springs for body treatments, the official elaborated.

He pointed out projects which will boost the hotels such as Westin Roko Ki, which will open at year's end, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons in La Romana. He recalled that the Government, through the Sectur, has earmarked U.S. $ 450 million to improving tourism infrastructure and another $ 650 will be invested in the next biennium.

The best way to be close to the progress of purchasing Dominican Republic is already gaining from its real estate.

Touristic Proyect in Luperon creates 4 thousand jobs, invested 1.2 billion U.S. dollars

The company Terriomax Holdings will invest 1.2 trillion dollars in developing the resort Punta Alma projecting lift on the left bank of the Bay of Luperon, which generate more than four thousand direct jobs.

The information provided the project manager, the employer Lenin Fernandez, who said that the project will create the stable and strong economy in this county, in which Christopher Columbus founded in late 1493 La Isabela, First Villa erected in America. Fernandez revealed that the resort will be built in an area of nine million square meters will be lifted and where hotels and villas, with more than two thousand rooms and a golf course of international quality with 18 holes, 9 of which are front the sea.

He revealed that the land was purchased from the successors of the landowner and the landowner Bros. Omar Felix Vasquez in the amount of U.S. $ 80,000,000.00, already got the license and environmental tourism alone is expected to grant construction permits and granted exemptions that 158 law gives this type of project.

The executive of the project, announced that the tourist enclave will have a marina with a capacity of 200 luxury super yachts up to 250 metres, which will be built the left bank of the Bay of Luperon, regarded as the third surest throughout the Caribbean. Fernandez said that Lenin Punta Alma will also have a stadium for practice polo, an equestrian center, several beach clubs and a spa destination.

He said that a hospital will be built which will have the services of specialists Dominicans and Americans, an electric generator, plant wastewater treatment and more than fifty different types of businesses to provide services to tourists staying there. Similarly, it will have cable service, telephone, Internet and other services, to ensure total comfort to the guests, which will have a 10 times higher purchasing power of possessing tourists who stay in hotels all included in the north and other touristic places in the country.

Fernandez revealed that each village will occupy a site with a minimum of 4 thousand square meters and preserve the environment for visitors to enjoy the nature of space will be built soon this resort that will have the highest standard of quality of Dominican Republic. He noted the quality of Punta Alma will be so high, which may compete with the best tourist projects in Mexico, Costa Esmeralda, Europe, Australia, the Maldivian islands and other areas of the world, with a beautiful nature.

The executive director of Punta Alma conditioned the construction of this project to the Environment, Tourism and other agencies of State granted permission to the company Isabela Cement and Aggregates to build cement in the northeast where it lifted the resort valued at 1.2 trillion dollars. "I do not oppose the construction of the cement in another place, where not affect our project and other investors that Dominicans and foreigners executed in Luperon, La Isabela, La Ensenada and Punta Rucia, but promoters of the Cement want face to face at sea and that can not afford, "alerted.

Recommended that this company is built in a remote location several miles from the sea, where it is not and that in the event of a spill of fuel by the collapse of one of the boats that transported the cement and aggregates does not affect the environment.

INFOTEP Celebrates Exhibitions in Sosua

The Institute of Technical and Vocational Training INFOTEP as a body to regulate and coordinate all efforts to prepare manpower to meet the needs productive national jointly with the support of the Strauss Foundation, Casa Marina Hotel, Hector Vazquez, among others, has been developing in the town of Sosua a program of technical training especially for the most needy population and on this occasion graduated 70 people from different sectors of this county.

According to German Strauss Chairman of the Foundation two groups of pastries and one of Pedro completed to prepare for leave to fish, "I never believed in who is preparing to give him a fish, teach them to fish is better because now in its there will be another household income without the need for the mother has to go out and leave their children alone in the midst of so many dangers ¨ said Don Cecilio Mercedes CEO of Casa Marina felt that this is a good step forward for the town itself our people are prepared for social quality improvement and our employees then would be closer "added the possibility of storing the curriculum of each graduating if offered by the need servicing the newly acquired skills.

Proudly Professor Ramon Emilio Aguirre received a plaque in appreciation of their students hand it also recognized the great work of Hector Vazquez Director of Civil Defense who is always aware that students have returned cash to begin serving a village Orphan of municipal authorities who worry about the development of its people,’ the great work it is doing the INFOTEP in the town of Sosua should have the support of municipal authorities and through them to the secretary of education that can yield a place to prepare a suitable space for preparation of the people suggested `` In that same order Colonel Dionisio Lopez, and Mayor Solis Lic. Rita Capellan expressed their congratulations to the graduates then by tasting the delicious delicacies that men and women of Sosua prepared on this day.

Dominican Republic offers multiple benefits, ways to live and invest

Many foreigners dream of finding an activity in the Dominican Republic in order to transfer to this country. Few know that the Dominican Republic offers various investment opportunities at all levels. That does not mean that success is guaranteed, but with some precautions you can do good business and live in the Caribbean!

The Dominican Republic is one of the most stable countries in the Caribbean and Latin Americas, has a strategic geographical location and low cost of living and working alongside the laws to promote foreign investment makes it extremely attractive to those seeking safety and high profitability. In the case of buying and selling real estate, there is no restriction for foreigners regard to the purchase of properties in the Dominican Republic.

In the 1998 presidential decree 21-98 established that foreigners could freely buy all the properties they wanted, along with the title of possession. The new law on freedom of taxes refers to tourist areas with strong potential that need development. Companies that meet certain characteristics will be exempt from taxes for a period ranging from 3 to 10 years. In addition, all benefits can be expatriates to any country in the world.

There are several options for acquiring real estate for people who want to find the perfect place, we at Vico Real Estate specialize to for fill the demands of our foreign clients in the Dominican Republic.

Cabarete is the scene of the World Cup Kite boarding

According to Lawrence Sancasani, organizer of the world; this represents an extraordinary attention to Cabarete, making for one week in the capital of kite boarding. It links between the collateral benefits; promotion in terms of sports tourism, the area receives in European countries, USA, South America and Asia, in that order and adds that the entire area of Cabarete is occupied by 90 per cent of their 3500 rooms available.

Promoters also reported that freelance means of Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, England, USA, Spain, Poland, Russia and Brazil, are in the area, reporting to their respective countries. To quote the coming major corridors in the world after the world title this year allocated 45 thousand U.S. dollars prize for both male and female branch.

"Our strong in the area is tourism sports to see the deployment in the international media about the qualities that the area exhibits, are motivated to visit, not only for this event, but also to hear the sport and settle in the area" .

On the other hand, kite boarding schools have a dominant presence in the area since the rise of kite worldwide. It is believed that five thousand people have settled in Cabarete, in the 8 years that global competition leads to take place in the PKRA. "A lot of people come in search of knowledge and expertise necessary to practice kite on our beach, considered among the 3 best in the world to practice this sport," says Sancasani.

In Vico Real Estate you have a special place to enjoy the kite boarding competition, contact us!

Tourists are entitled to reimbursement of value added tax (VAT)

Any visitor to the European Union, who resides in a country not a member of this group, is entitled to reimbursement of the so-called value added tax (VAT) on their personal purchase, as long as it reaches a minimum of 90.15 Euros (including taxes ) In the same store. This right extends to those who reside in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and Andorra.

"You are entitled to reimbursement of I.V.A. when leaving the European Union within three months following the month in which the purchase was made, "cites a pamphlet Premier Tax Free. A publication of El Corte Ingles indicates that the amount corresponding to the rate levied on goods, lessening the amount of transaction costs and management, provided that the total amount of the purchase exceeds the amount established by current legislation.

The rate of I.V.A. in Spain, as understood, is 16 percent on the net price, or 13.79 percent if calculated on the basis of the purchase price. However, the return is not automatic. It requires a strict but simple processing. Based on experience, provides management buying into a single store to be by department, offers a wide variety of merchandise (clothing, footwear, beauty products, etc.). Those can be achieved in the same business premises of the amount 90.15 Euros to opt for reimbursement.

Every day there are more facilities for tourists who visit us, that’s why Vico Real Estate is responsible for ensuring the property acquisition.

Puerto Plata exhibits new aspect which contributes to more tourists visiting this destination.

The liquidator Walter Musa said that the new aspect that displays the province, especially the city of Puerto Plata, in which rescue and development president Leonel Fernández has invested more than 5 billion pesos, which contributes to more tourists visiting this destination.

Musa went balance to the programme of works created by the current government in a press conference held last weekend to publicize the efforts of the Interior, the city council, Tourism and the Tourism Cluster to rescue the Historical Center. The municipal executive praised the selfless work being done by the team of institutions working in the rescue and revitalization of the historic center of this city, which is composed of people who hurts Puerto Plata and want progress.

He recalled the investments made for the construction of sewerage system, the regeneration of the beach at Long Beach pier reshuffle, the avenue Manolo Tavárez Justo, the settlement of avenues and streets of downtown and outlying areas. However, he noted that such works are not sufficient, since it requires the settlement of downtown Puerto Plata, which led to the asphalt of its streets since the first months of his arrival in the town.

He stressed the effort to solve the problem of water from Columbus Avenue, which is a work that no other receiver had dared to perform the difficult and costly for the budget of the council. It revealed that the area that this route is reconditioning to be stamped sidewalks and lights to complete a modern tourist corridor with the pier and the Avenue Manolo Tavárez Justo. He announced that the council has prioritized the refurbishment of city parks, plan that began with the rescue of Independence Square and the park will continue with Joe Smith of urbanization Gregorio Luperón.

He assured that after conclusion of this work is re-scaled parks Luperon, Regalado and Freedom Square and the family-Redondo Galan restored Plaza Juan Lockward from the malecon. Also, Walter Musa announced that the Bid Committee for granting the terminal loads of tourist and local port soon will announce the company chosen for its construction and operation. Musa informed during a press conference held on Thursday by the government, the city council, Tourism and Tourism Cluster that all these works and others that have built and continue building the council are important for tourism development in the city of Puerto Plata.

Tourism in the Dominican Republic increased by 9.78 percent in May

The arrival of international tourists to the Dominican Republic grew by 9.78 percent last May compared with the same period of 2007, reported today by the local Ministry of Tourism. The agency said that in May there was an increase of 21.19 percent at the entrance to the country of travelers from Canada, and a 12.86 percent of U.S. travelers.

The information noted that 1,677,391 tourists entered the Caribbean nation in the first five months of the year, for an increase of 7.17 percent compared with same period last year. "The goal of the Ministry of Tourism is growing at four percent this year," revealed the body, which stressed that the Canadian market represents the second most important for the country.

In that sense, announced that 412,119 tourists from Canada have stepped on Dominican soil so far this year, so it is expected that after 2008 the figure reached a record of 620,000 Canadian tourists.

The Dominican Ministry of Tourism yesterday launched a series of meetings with private sector operators in order to face the consequences generated by the international crisis, oil prices and cutbacks in flights of the largest airlines in the world.

Tourism provides changes in density parameters for golf courses and undeveloped areas, in the Dominican Republic

The Tourism Secretariat (Sectur) issued Resolution 01-2008, amending the parameters of population density applicable to golf courses and undeveloped areas of national territory, such as mangroves and swamps.

In its first section, the measure provides that "in projects with golf courses and hotels will apply the gross population density in the area, the area where establishing the hotel development, without considering the area's golf course, for density purpose.”

Also, "the golf courses, with operating real estate projects, will be applied to net area to develop, the density permitted in the zone, plus 30% of the total area of the golf course that net area for calculation density.” Slogan, moreover, that in hotel and real estate projects "with undeveloped areas, indicates the additional percentage, based on the following criteria, which will be added to the net area to develop:

Area not developed in % percentage increase
50% 30%
50% -25% 20%
Less 25% 10%

The promoters of these projects "must provide in both cases - golf courses and undeveloped areas - a level of current and potential use of the land, with contours, locating watercourses, wetlands, mangroves, pastures, forests, etc." Indicating square meters in the entire surface of the extension that correspond to each area useful.

That level "must be backed by a No Objection the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources" and describe in detail "the system of reforestation or forestation allowing balancing the loss of tree" which resulted in the execution of the work, to preserve and increase the value of their biodiversity.

The resolution signed by the head of the Secretariat of Tourism, Felix Jimenez, relies on tourism legislation in force, which empowers this body to "regulate the construction, operation and tourist services, dictating the rules and parameters of development and its management harmonic, according to studies and recommendations.” Its antecedent, the National Plan spatial Tourism of the Dominican Republic (PNOTT) of 1991, drafted by the agreement IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) - Sectur.

Investments of 3,750 million Euros in the tourism sector in the Dominican Republic over the next four years

The president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, announced today in Barcelona the intention of a group of businessmen from the Balearic Islands hoteliers to invest about 3,750 million Euros in the tourism sector in this Caribbean country over the next four years.

In a meeting with the Dominican community in Catalonia, Fernandez explained that these entrepreneurs already operating in his country, and with whom he met last Friday, he expressed interest in expanding their business. In addition, Fernandez advanced to the Dominican government will build a railway linking the two major cities in the Caribbean country, Santo Domingo and Santiago.

Fernandez, who now begins his second consecutive term as head of government, also reported a second metro line in Santo Domingo. "It is our historic goal. A social and economic draft transformation, but in democracy," he said. Fernandez expressed his concern about the external crisis that threatens the world due to high oil prices, which in his view, "is the deepest crisis the world has ever known since the Depression of the 30's."

The Dominican president said the "Wall Street speculation," around a virtual shortage of crude in the year 2016 as a root cause of the current price of fuel, a crisis of prices that also linked with the scarcity of food. The president Fernandez, who referred to the community of Dominicans in Spain, expressed interest in providing solutions to the problems of integration faced by some children and youth.

In this regard, said that a solution will be sought among teachers and Dominicans Catalans to facilitate the integration of youth in the educational system in Catalonia. Also stressed that his government wants to expand to about 10,000 scholarships for training abroad of young talent, so that they can "return to the country and bring the knowledge learned." "We want to dignify the person.

You from Barcelona may play a key role. Confident in a better future, we returned to the national tasks. As the apostle St. Paul: 'Each day brings its desire'. We face the desire of every day to finish building a better Dominican Republic."

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Dominican Republic will have Strategic Development Plan

The country is doomed to prepare for August - September of this year a development proposal with the backing of businessmen, political parties, workers and civil society, and should be submitted to Congress next year.

This was stated yesterday by the secretary of Economy, Planning and Development, Juan Temístocles Montás, who said the nation is bound by law to define a development strategy for the next ten years. He recalled that the law creating the National System of Planning and Investment established that by June of next year the Dominican Government must submit to Congress a national development strategy, which would establish the direction the country for the next 10 to 20 years.

He explained that as this is a proposal that covers more than one presidential term, it leaves open the possibility it will eventually be able to go modifying some of the elements of the Strategic Plan Development. He added that the idea is to go breaking with the pattern of America's immediately from today to tomorrow and take into account where it should go towards the country.

She complained that always talks about the development of China, but there the political class are thinking about what will be his nation in the next 25 years, and have their goals set. For years, the Dominican business sector, politicians and workers have advocated an agenda for national development. Montás explained that the proposed strategic what we seek is that "we think in strategic terms a bit to where it should go the Dominican Republic in the next ten years."

He who on Monday presented a book in the National Palace on Dominican Republic 20-30 ", as well as a series of statistics since 1990 to date, which will be largely part of the elements to take into account in strategic decisions. Those statistics include a series of information related to the attitude of Dominicans respect the democratic process in the Dominican Republic. It also is awaiting more documents prepared by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank on key aspects of economic affairs of the Dominican Republic.