Dominican Tourism

Palma de Mallorca (Feb. 18, 2010) — Sol Meliá Vacation Club has received the prestigious Gold Crown award from the RCI Group, the world’s leading timeshare company, representing all of the major hotel companies in the world. The award has gone to the Sol Meliá resorts in the Dominican Republic: Paradisus Palma Real, Paradisus Punta Cana and Meliá Caribe Tropical, all of them luxury properties meeting the needs of the most discerning guests thanks to their quality facilities and excellent entertainment and leisure programme. Sol Meliá Vacation Club has been selected for the award thanks to the positive experience of many RCI customers, something which Denis Ebrill, CEO of Sol Meliá Vacation Club, believes “recognises our dedication and the commitment of the teams in each of the hotels, and is also an honour to know that we are exceeding the expectations of our customers”.

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The Viva hotel group is presenting its new hotel in Samana, the Viva Residence Bahia Estela (40 units) in Coson, Las Terrenas. This is the third residential vacation property offered by the Viva brand. Viva was first known for its all-inclusive hotels in Bayahibe/Dominicus before expanding to Puerto Plata, Samana, the Bahamas and Mexico. The others are Viva Residence Las Terrenas (76 units under construction also at Playa Coson) and Viva Residence Playa Dorada, in operation in Puerto Plata.

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Resorts throughout the DR offer Day Passes that allow anyone to experience the all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink philosophy of the all-inclusive.

A daily fee basically grants access to everything the resort has to offer, except a room. In Boca Chica and Juan Dolio there are some great options to enjoy the all inclusive lifestyle for a day.

Boca Chica

Hotetur Dominican Bay Resort
Calle Juan Bautista Vicina & 20 de Diciembre, 809.412.2001
Monday-Thursday: Adults: RD$900, Children (4-12): RD$450
Friday-Sunday: Adults: RD$1,100, Children: RD$550, from 10am-5pm

Don Juan Beach Resort
Calle Duarte, 809.523.4511
Everyday: Adults: RD$1,700, Children (4-12): RD$850, from 10am-5pm

Oasis Hamaca Resort (more…)

FORT WORTH, Texas.- American Airlines will resume service into Port-au-Prince, Haiti, beginning Friday, Feb. 19. The first flight will depart from American’s hub at Miami International Airport at 6:40 a.m. EST, arriving at Port-au-Prince at 8:35 a.m. EST. This flight marks the first commercial passenger aircraft into Haiti since the earthquake that devastated the country on Jan. 12.

“All of us at American Airlines and American Eagle have been eager to restore our normal operations into Haiti,” said Peter Dolara, American’s Senior Vice President – Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. “These flights serve as major milestones toward helping the country rebuild. With commercial air service restored, we can better connect loved ones and provide consistent transportation to and from Haiti.”

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The hotels and restaurants grouped in Asonahores decry the wretched condition of the country’s highways, which they affirm considerably harms the tourism industry.

Its president Haidée Kuret on Thursday said the capital Santo Domingo loses thousands of tourists every year, because the highway to the Bavaro-Punta Cana area, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the visitors, isn’t fit to drive.

She said the tourists in Bavaro and Punta Cana who visit Santo Domingo must leave no later than 7 a.m. from, spend four hours in a bus, two in city tours, more than one hour to eat and later another four more on the return trip. “That tour is not for everyone.”

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14-18 July 2010 is the new date for the 2010 Cabarete Classic that brings together competitors from all over the world, with events for kids and adults of all ages. The event is organized by Pablito Guzman and the Cabarete Classic Team. The competition categories for this event that brings together windsurfers and kitesurfers are:

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) (more…)

Pablito Guzman is the force behind the Cabarete Classic, founding the event and bringing it to life. He is a Cabarete native and has competed in contests all over the world for the past twenty years. He has several national titles to his credit and his windsurfing talents have been showcased in several magazine and newspaper articles. Pablito is dedicated to improving the community through helping disadvantaged children to be able to learn and participate in the great sport of windsurfing. Under his direction Pablito Guzman’s Watersports Team was formed last year to offer local students the opportunity to build self-confidence and learn a new sport that is an integral part of the local economy. www.dominicandream.org

A Brief History: 

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