Passport news, hotels and airport news, events and more
• US government eases passport requirements for travellers
• PGA to make first-ever stop in DR during 2008 tour
• Portillo Airport responds to increasing tourism
• Las Americas International named safest airport in the Caribbean
• Santiago chosen to host 2008 Caribbean Baseball Series
• Gran Bahia Principe gives Santana Beach Resort chic renovation and new name
• DR top recipient for direct foreign investments
US GOVERNMENT EASES PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS
The US Department of State and Homeland Security recently announced that US citizens travelling to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda who have a State Department receipt proving they have applied for a passport, but have not yet received it, can re-enter the US by air. Allowing the State Department to catch up with the overflow of applications, this proposal will be in effect until September 30, 2007. For additional details visit www.travel.state.gov.
PGA TO MAKE FIRST-EVER STOP IN DR DURING 2008 TOUR
Recently announced, the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at Punta Espada Golf Club in Cap Cana has been chosen as a stop for the 2008 PGA Tour’s Champions Tour, marking the first time in history the PGA has included the DR in the tour. Scheduled for March 31 to April 6, 2008, the tournament will garner international coverage as golfers play Punta Espada, which was named by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses outside of the US. Visit www.pgatour.com for a complete 2008 Champions Tour schedule.
PORTILLO AIRPORT RESPONDS TO INCREASING TOURISM
In response to ever-increasing tourism numbers, the Portillo Airport located on the Samana Peninsula on the DR’s northeast coast added a new terminal. The addition is equipped with comfortable seating and an air-conditioned VIP lounge, and will be primarily used for domestic traffic and small commuter carriers. In addition to the expansion of El Portillo airport, the area will also soon feature a new highway linking Samana to Santo Domingo, the DR’s capital city. Once the new highway is completed, the drive time between the two cities will be less than two hours, compared to the current time of nearly four hours (completion date to be announced).
LAS AMERICAS INTERNATIONAL NAMED SAFEST AIRPORT IN THE CARIBBEAN
According to the US Transport Safety Administration (TSA), Las Americas International Airport (AILA), located in Santo Domingo, is the safest airport in the Caribbean. The announcement resulted from a meeting between Aerodom, the airport’s administrator, the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) and the TSA of the US Department of Homeland Security. Inspections have been carried out by TSA on airports in the area since the September 11th attacks.
SANTIAGO CHOSEN TO HOST 2008 CARIBBEAN BASEBALL SERIES
For the first time Santiago will host teams from Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela as they compete for the title during the Caribbean Baseball Series. Scheduled for February 2-8, 2008, the approaching series marks the 50th anniversary of the games. Coverage of regional games leading up to the championship will run on MLB.com and ESPN.
GRAN BAHIA PRINCIPE GIVES SANTANA BEACH RESORT CHIC RENOVATION AND NEW NAME
Formerly known as Santana Beach Resort, the hotel was recently acquired by the Pinero Group’s Bahia Principe brand and has been renamed Gran Bahia Principe La Romana. The property is currently undergoing renovations and sits between La Romana and San Pedro de Macoris on the DR’s east coast. Featuring an exclusive beachfront location, the all-inclusive hotel will boast 192 lavish suites and 400 superior rooms. Gran Bahia Principe La Romana is slated for a November 2007 opening.
DR TOP RECIPIENT FOR DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
According to a recent report issued by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the DR ranked third in receiving direct foreign investments in Central America and the Caribbean for 2006. Top recipient countries in these regions were Panama and Costa Rica. Direct foreign investments for these countries are as follows: Panama, $2.56 billion; Costa Rica, $1.4 billion; DR, $1.18 billion.
For your FREE on-line Dominican Republic travel guide, visit www.caribbean.com.
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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