Dominican Tourism

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will provide $20 million to Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este, SA to expand the Punta Cana International Airport and support the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector.

CAE, which owns and operates the airport, will build a new runway and taxiway suitable for larger aircraft and expand the passenger terminal. The expansion will enable increased passenger capacity, improve services, and diversify destination markets. It also will benefit the local economy by supporting tourism, a key source of foreign exchange and fiscal revenues.

The airport serves top-tourist destinations of the Punta Cana and Bavaro regions and is the country’s busiest and fastest-growing airport. During the first 10 months of 2009, it handled about 3.2 million passengers and accounted for roughly 43.2 percent of total air passengers in the Dominican Republic.

“In 1984, we opened the Punta Cana International Airport, an essential infrastructure project for the Dominican Republic’s economic and social growth,” said Frank Rainieri, President and CEO of Grupo Punta Cana SA, CAE’s shareholding company. “We welcome IFC’s financial support and expertise in this project that will help enhance regional development.” (more…)

ORLANDO, Fla., PRNewswire.- Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts announced an agreement to bring the world’s first “ultimate all-inclusive” Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Slated to be re-branded in Spring 2010, the 1800-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will combine the distinctive atmosphere and unparalleled guest experience of the Hard Rock brand together with the five-star Moon Palace Resort all-inclusive experience.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana’s expansive 121-acre property rests on Macao Beach, one of the most beautiful, palm tree-lined beaches in the Caribbean that overlooks perfectly clear blue waters on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The property will combine Hard Rock’s signature “Rock Star” suites with Moon Palace Resort’s signature all-inclusive luxury accommodations, including double Jacuzzis and double showers. The property will also feature an extensive collection of Hard Rock’s authentic music memorabilia, highlighting both international and local artists, as well as incorporating diverse music genres throughout. (more…)

New York.- Only 10 Dominican Republic hotels have been classified with more than 20 pearls by Oyster Hotel Reviews, the company specialized in the industry, which in an extensive assessment of the most important lodgings in the Caribbean country’s tourist resorts granted 35 points to two, 30 to seven and 25 to one.

The Oyster Review rated lodgings in Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Bávaro, Samana, Boca Chica, Santo Domingo, Sosua, Cabarete, La Romana, Playa Dorada among others, whereas most of the facilities are located in Punta Cana and La Romana, both in the eastern region. (more…)

New York.– Mexico took four of the top 10 spots on a list of international destinations booked by agencies of the Travel Leaders company. The annual survey asked 452 Travel Leaders agents to name the top destinations for the fall, through Dec. 31, using booking data.

Mexico ranked highly despite concerns about flu and crime that hurt travel there last spring. Cancun came in as No. 2, Riviera Maya No. 3, cruises to Mexico were No. 7 and Playa del Carmen was No. 10.

London was not among the top 10 in last year’s survey but it rebounded to No. 6 this year, most likely due to a stronger U.S. dollar.

Caribbean cruises were first on the list and Mediterranean cruises were fourth. Rome came in at No. 5, while Montego Bay, Jamaica, got the eighth slot, and Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, was ninth.

Santo Domingo.- The resort group Punta Cana inaugurated a modern industrial laundry with the capacity to meet the demand of the region’s hotels, including Punta Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Bávaro, Macao y Uvero Alto. (more…)