Dominican Republic August/September 2007 new briefs
Airline, hotel and infrastructure news and more
• JetBlue Airways adds non-stop routes to the DR
• American Airlines offers additional service to Santo Domingo
• Punta Cana the DR’s fastest-growing tourism destination
• Ministry of Tourism initiates tourist project in Barahona
• DR’s second Hard Rock Café opens in Punta Cana
• Sosua’s Casa Marina remains open during renovations
• Oasis Hotels & Resorts acquire four properties in DR
• DR begins highway reconstruction in central region
• Renovations continue at San Souci Port
• Escada fashion show benefits DR families
JETBLUE AIRWAYS ADDS NON-STOP ROUTES TO DR
Between December 12, 2007 and January 15, 2008 JetBlue Airways will offer non-stop service from Boston to Santiago. Round-trip tickets are now available for purchase.
AMERICAN AIRLINES OFFERS ADDITIONAL SERVICE TO SANTO DOMINGO
Due to increased demand for service to the DR, American Airlines announced the addition of new routes from Fort Lauderdale to Santo Domingo. In addition, American Eagle will offer new service to Samana beginning December 13, 2007. With the new routes to Samana, American Eagle now services six popular DR destinations.
PUNTA CANA DR’S FASTEST GROWING TOURISM DESTINATION
According to the president of the Association of Hotels of the East, Punta Cana is continuing to steadily grow as a hot tourism destination. Currently more than 50 per cent of tourists travelling to the DR fly into Punta Cana. The area is expected to boast 28,000 hotel rooms next year. Furthermore, Boulevard Turistico del Este, the main road connecting the Punta Cana International Airport with popular resorts in the area, will considerably cut down driving times and will offer an eight-minute drive to the Bavaro area. (Completion date to be announced.)
MINISTRY OF TOURISM INITIATES TOURIST PROJECT IN BARAHONA
The DR Ministry of Tourism recently announced plans to construct a five-star wellness resort covering 180,000 square miles in Barahona, located in the country’s southwest region. The 1000-room complex will feature 20 tennis courts, a 27-hole golf course, thermal spa pools and a convention centre. This new project will be the largest hotel in the DR’s southwest region, and will mark the turning point of modernization of Barahona. (Additional details to be announced.)
DR’S SECOND HARD ROCK CAFÉ OPENS IN PUNTA CANA
On July 2, the Hard Rock Café opened its second restaurant in the DR. Located in Punta Cana, one of the country’s most popular tourism destinations, the restaurant is ideally situated in the new Palma Real Shopping Village. The 10,760 square foot café features Hard Rock’s classic menu, which incorporates Dominican flavours, collectible merchandise representing Dominican culture and world-renowned Hard Rock Café memorabilia. Key pieces on display include items from contemporary stars, such as a shirt worn by Gwen Stefani during a performance on "Saturday Night Live," several guitars donated by Dominican rock legend Juan Luis Guerrera and a shirt worn by Latin icon Juanes during his 2006 tour.
SOSUA’S CASA MARINA REMAINS OPEN DURING RENOVATIONS
Hotel chain Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts announced Casa Marina Beach & Reef hotel in Sosua will remain open to guests throughout the renovation process. All furnishings and rooms will be updated. The renovations are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2008.
OASIS HOTELS & RESORTS ACQUIRE FOUR PROPERTIES IN DR
Representatives for the Oasis and Grand Oasis properties announced they have acquired three Coral by Hilton properties as well as the Punta Cana Grand in the DR. All will be established as all-inclusive resorts managed by Oasis. The resorts are located near the DR’s most popular tourism destinations, including Puerto Plata, La Romana, Punta Cana and Boca Chica.
DR BEGINS HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION IN CENTRAL REGION
The roadways that link Constanza with the Duarte highway are starting to be reconstructed. According to the DR Public Works Minister, there will also be speed-reducing features and protective barriers to prevent accidents. The restoration of this road is imperative for tourists eager to travel from city to city in the central region of the country. (Additional details to be announced.)
RENOVATIONS CONTINUE AT SAN SOUCI PORT
The new tourist port complex at Santo Domingo’s San Souci Port is expected to welcome approximately 70,000 cruise ship passengers this year. As a result of improvements and expansions, the port’s docks will allow larger cruise ships to enter, bringing an expected 30,000 more visitors than 2006. The next phase of the port’s construction will include additional developments such as a yacht club, sports marina, beach club and two 900-room hotels among others. The $700 million investment is expected to be completed by 2010.
ESCADA FASHION SHOW BENEFITS DR FAMILIES
The latest Escada collection took centre stage at the 16th Annual Por la Vida Fashion Show August 3 to 5 at Casa de Campo. The benefit for the International Rescue Charity (MIR) Foundation showcased Escada fashions accompanied by Tiffany & Co jewels in its second year at the benefit. MIR is a non-profit charity that helps resolve poverty, abandonment and medical problems among DR women, children and families that has led to five life-changing programs.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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