Regarded as one of the most important and pioneering competitions of its type, “Master of the Ocean,” returns with more excitement, waves and acrobatic jumps in its 8th edition, to be held from 23-28 February.

Cabarete, a small, laid-back Caribbean beach village located on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic, is notorious for its incomparable kitesurfing conditions.  

1. Mini Juniors – basic (boys and girls under 12)
2. Mini Juniors – pro kids (12-14)
3. Juniors (15-17)
4. Women’s Class (open for all ages)
5. Sport Class (open for all ages)
6. Open Class (open for all ages)
7. Master Class (40 and up)
8. Freestyle (open for all ages)
9. Freestyle – Kids (Under 14)
10. Formula Open Class (adult men)
11. Formula Sport Class (will be held only for 3 or more competitors) (adult men)
12. Unique Long Distance Race (from La Hermita to Cabarete, windsurfers and kitesurfers to compete against each other in a streamed downwind race)
For more information, see http://www.cabarete-classic.com

According to the organizing committee, the event, from February 5 to 7, offers a “journey in nearby and remote destinations.” Other counjtries participating are Tunisia, Indonesia, Reunion Island and Jordan.

Covering a 7000-square meter area, the show is expected to host 23,000 visitors including tours operators, airlines and shipping companies, travel trade members, corporate and business travel decision makers, leisure and holiday travelers, national and international representatives from the hospitality industry, as well as travel planners

The theme “Culture and Heritage” of the 2010 edition is chosen by the 2009 visitors (60%) including Mahana shows in Toulouse, Marseilles, Lyon and Lille, “even before beaches and nature.”

During the fair, the public will be able to buy summer vacation packages in the country, as well as international destinations, choosing from a wide range of products and services.

SANTO DOMINGO.- President Leonel Fernandez and the first lady Margarita Cedeño last night headed the inaugural of the Barrio Chino (Chinatown), built by the Government at a cost of more than RD$46 million, in an event where hundreds of members of the Dominican Chinese community attended.

The keynote speech was delivered by Rosa Ng, president of the Flor para Todos Foundation, who said the Chinese district’s construction was important for that community, and thanked the authorities for their collaboration.

Those present in the ceremony, held in the Duarte Avenue, enjoyed a dance by lions and dragons, as well as local rhythms.

Public Works minister Víctor Diaz Rúa said the construction works made in more than 50,000 square meters included colored cobblestone streets and repaved intersections, extended sidewalks, the reconstruction of the storm drainage and the pedestrian walk.

Source: DominicanToday.com

BTC president Luis Felipe Aquino yesterday said more than 19,000 tourists visit from Ecuador, despite the lack of direct flights to that nation.

He said with the government’s support they managed to attract charter flights from Ecuador and Colombia Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.

Another of the BTC’s accomplishments Aquino mentioned is the promotion of the multi-destination and intraregional tourism. He said they make efforts to attract Brazilian operators and from the Mexican market, which despite having 5 million tourists, the country doesn’t benefit from that potential.

In another topic, Aquino said companies from different countries will come to the BTC tourism fair, including delegations from Venezuela, Argentine Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

He said the 12th edition of the Caribbean Tourism Fair will be held from April 17 to 19 in the Jaragua hotel.

Source Diario Libre and DominicanToday.com

DATE is the Dominican tourist product’s most important marketing event, prepared and organized by the National Hotels and Restaurants Association (ASONAHORES) and the Tourism Promotion Council (CPT), under the auspices of the Tourism Ministry (SECTUR).

This event was created to provide a professionally-organized business interchange, where travel agents and tour operators can meet and negotiate with the Dominican tourism industry’s major suppliers.

The hotel complex, 20 kilometers from Punta Cana International Airport and 1 hour from La Romana International, has 13 salons, with a capacity for 5,000 people, leading edge technology in computer and audio-visual equipment, and a wide range of services.

The services include projectors, screens, lighting, amplification, business center, Internet, fax, simultaneous translation, photography, videos, decoration, orchestras, shows, gastronomy, theme catering, banquets, secretarial, security, heliport and other services, as required.

DominicanToday.com