Dominican Tourism

Santo Domingo.– The Cap Cana Marina will host the 68th International Light Tackle Tournament Association (ILTTA) Tournament. Fishing days will be 26-31 May 2008

The event will be sponsored by the Santo Domingo Yacht Club. More information can be found at http://www.iltta.org.

New York.– More beach resorts are offering pools with water slides, no-cost children’s programs and other amenities that make them attractive, affordable alternatives for families looking for one-stop vacations, Parents magazine reports.

The magazine evaluated more than 200 beach resorts in the U.S. and the Caribbean, based on room rates and other costs, quality of children’s programs, variety of family activities, pool and beach area and other factors. The May issue of Parents lists the 10 resorts deemed best.

“Our winners are practically rolling out the red carpet for families on a tight budget,” said Sally Lee, editor in chief of Parents. (more…)

Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Ministry of Environment signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the German Construction Bank (KFW) to create a US$10 million fund, which will be administered by the National Protected Areas System (SINAP).

The organizations will provide US$6.5 million for the fund, while the Dominican government will provide the remaining US$3.5 million. Environment Minister Omar Ramirez said that this represents an improvement in the sustainability of the nation’s ecosystem and development.

According to TNC representative William Welter, the agreement shows the reach of inter-organizational and international cooperation. The SINAP includes 86 sites and covers 11,500 kilometers, or 24% of Dominican territory.

SANTO DOMINGO.- The country’s tourist resorts will make it easier for their personnel to go to the ballot boxes on Friday.

Employees who vote in localities far from their work places will have a more flexible schedule, said Hotels and Restaurants Association (Asonahores) executive vicepresident Arturo Villanueva. “They’ll receive facilities. That’s an inalienable right of the worker, to be able to vote.”

He said if interested, each employee will coordinate their temporary absence with their area manager. “Turns will be organized so the work in the hotel isn’t detained.”

Villanueva asked politicians and the population to behave in a civilized manner on elections day, so the productive work immediately recovers its normality. “the country has advanced much, this is a mature democracy.”

Source: DominicanToday.com

Santo Domingo.– Flights to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Panama are on sale from Spirit. Fares start at $58 round-trip for travel in May and June.

Spirit’s deal ends on Saturday at 11:59 p.m. ET, so you must act fast to snag one of the $58 fares.

Travel is valid on select dates from May 11 through June 14. (more…)

The chief executives of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) broke their fast with editors of El Caribe newspaper yesterday morning. Their conversation focused on the serious issues facing Dominican tourism in the current energy crisis. Luis Lopez and Arturo Villanueva explained that energy accounts for 20% of the cost of a room at all major hotels or resorts. The energy factor also contributes to the level of competitiveness of Dominican tourism offerings versus what other nations have to offer. (more…)

SANTO DOMINGO.- The first direct flight from Moscow landed at international Punta Cana International Airport (east) Sunday, after a Russian airline Transaero Boeing 747-400 covered a distance of 11,000 kilometers, flying 12 hours.

The tow-story jet fly a total 352 passengers; 11 in first class whose seats can also become beds; 56 in business, and 285 in economy. The aircraft will join the fleet of the company’s 29 planes. (more…)