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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

US Will Build Naval Base in Dominican Republic

Earlier this month, the government of the Dominican Republic announced that the United States military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) would contribute US$1.5 million to the construction of a naval base and dock on the eastern island of Saona. The funds will come from the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a multi-million dollar US State Department security aid fund established in 2009.

Vice Admiral Nicolas Cabrera Arias told local press that the facility is intended to help target drug trafficking and smuggling on the eastern coast of the country. According to Cabrera, the base "will increase the operational capability of the Navy to address the all kinds of trafficking, from the illegal drug trade to smuggling, in order to protect this part of the country and promote tourism".

Some in the country have objected to the plan, however, claiming it represents a violation of sovereignty and could potentially have a negative environmental impact.

In response to this criticism, the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic issued a statement last week assuring Dominicans that "there will not be any military personnel involved in the construction or operation of the base or based on the island of Saona".

With a price tag of only US$1.5 million, the facility is likely to be small and relatively unobtrusive. If the facility is to actually be staffed by only Dominican personnel, concerns about sovereignty seem overblown, considering that the country's president requested more anti-drug aid in 2011. With an election approaching in May, much of the controversy likely amounts to opportunistic politicking by the opposition.

Politics aside, the Dominican Republic has its share of challenges in the fight against drug trafficking, as the island nation is a key transshipment point for cocaine bound for the US. In 2011, a top anti-drug official was gunned down in Santo Domingo, the country's capital. What's more, corrupt security forces make the drug fight difficult.

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Source: Honduras Weekly

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Dominican Republic celebrates independence

Dominicans marked the Dominican Republic's 168th anniversary of its independence from Haitian rule on February 27, 2012 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic, which became independent in 1844, has prospered in recent years due to a robust agricultural sector and a large tourism industry. The Dominican Republic shares the same island, Hispaniola, with its poorer neighbor Haiti.

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Source and Photo: SF Gate

Monday, February 27, 2012

At least 18 dead in shipwreck off Dominican Republic

Dominican officials were investigating the capsizing of an overloaded immigrant smuggling boat that killed 18 people and rescue teams were searching on Monday for 20 or more people missing off the Dominican Republic coast, authorities said.

A rustic vessel with about 60 people aboard left from the coast of Nagua, 130 miles northeast of Santo Domingo, on Saturday bound for the neighboring island of Puerto Rico, and capsized in the Bay of Samana, Dominican Republic naval officials said.

Dominican authorities said 19 passengers were rescued and were admitted to a medical center with injuries.

"We are still investigating the cause of this tragedy," said Director of Civil Defense General Luis Luna Paulino.

Five survivors were being treated on Monday and one woman was reported to be in serious condition, said local authorities.

Officials say the alarm was raised around midday on Saturday after fishermen rescued one of the vessel's survivors.

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The rescue effort continued throughout the day on Monday though hope was fading that any more survivors would be found, according to the head of the Dominican Navy, Vice-Admiral Nicolas Cabrera Arias. The captain of the capsized vessel was detained and was being questioned, he added.

Dominican Navy vessels searched the area for survivors during the weekend. The U.S. Coast Guard sent three helicopters and a cutter to the shipwreck area on Saturday at the request of Dominican authorities, Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said.

"They did locate a couple of bodies that were recovered by Dominican Republic authorities," Castrodad said.

On Sunday afternoon, the Dominicans notified U.S. officials that their assistance was no longer needed.

Some of the survivors told authorities they each had paid smugglers 40,000 pesos, or about $1,000, to organize the trip.

Poor Dominicans in search of better opportunities often set out late at night on flimsy, overloaded boats, known as yolas, trying to cross the Mona Passage and reach the shores of the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, but many die in the attempt. The treacherous 80-mile- (130-km-) wide strait is a highly used seaway that links the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and is notorious for dangerous tides and shallow sand banks.

"Migrants are risking their lives when they trust ruthless smugglers to make the dangerous voyage .... without any consideration to weather conditions or the safety and lives of their passengers," said Captain Drew Pearson, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander.

The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted 200 undocumented migrants from the Dominican Republic during the year ended on September 30, and has intercepted 86 since.


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Source and Photo: Reuters

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Dominican Republic: Naval Base Will Not Violate National Sovereignty

After the announcement of a new United States-built naval station in the Dominican Republic led to a whirl of activity on Twitter, the Dominican government said the new $1.5 million base would not constitute a violation of national sovereignty.

Vice Admiral Nicolas Cabrera Arias yesterday announced the construction of the project, which aims to increase maritime surveillance on the eastern coast of the country.

The issue led to increased traffic on social media sites like Twitter, with some claiming the new base would infringe upon the DR’s national sovereignty.

According to the government however, members of the Dominican Navy would populate the base, not US marines.

The base will be built by the US Southern Command in coordination with the Military Assistance Advisory Group on the island of Saona.

The Navy said the funds for construction, which is set to begin in March, would come from the US Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a commitment launched by US President Barack Obama in 2009.

Arias said the construction of the base would help interdict criminal maritime activity to Puerto Rico, along with drug trafficking and smuggling.

According to Cabrera Arias, the construction work will be coordinated by the Military Assistance Advisory Group in the Dominican Republic.


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Source and Photo: Caribbean Journal

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Dominican Republic Releases Social-based Ads for 2012 Campaign

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism has taken the idea of social networking to a new level with their 2012 Dominican Republic social media-inspired ad campaign.

In a follow-up to the successful 2011 launch of the social media-friendly website, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is introducing a multi-channel campaign featuring print, online and broadcast that generate engagement with consumers wherever they are in the world today, inspiring them to be social and share their unforgettable experience in Dominican Republic.

Building on the destination's socially active fan base, the dynamic campaign provides a new perspective on the wide range of attractions, destinations, activities and services available to travelers. The creative approach behind the ads uses social networking as a metaphor to convey the message "You don't have to go far to be social," prompting the campaign's tagline, "Dominican Republic is Closer Than You Think."

"As Dominican Republic continues to thrive, we're distinguishing our enchanting destination and its vast tourism offerings from the competition," said Magaly Toribio, Vice Minister of International Promotion, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "We're ensuring that the campaign remains unforgettable, yet continues to capture Dominican Republic's one-of-a-kind offerings as the ads' captivating images trigger a need for experience and travel."

The TV spots and ads rely on social media terms as metaphors for socializing with others about a vacation in Dominican Republic. The social interaction suggests the vacation as something worthy of a status update, both literally and in the Facebook sense. As the power of social media is undeniable, the ads blend technology and social interaction to create value, the value of sharing your experiences with others," added Toribio.

The Dominican Republic's award-winning website and the 2012 Social Campaign were developed by BVKmeka, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's U.S. and Hispanic marketing agency since 2004. The creative works seamlessly across computers, iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices, making it even easier to tell consumers that there is no better place to get closer and socialize in real life than in Dominican Republic.

The ads will be featured in magazines, broadcast, New York's Times Square billboards and online. The unique, attention-getting ads have already been broadcast on MEGA, as well as during the Serie del Caribe.


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Source: Focus On Travel News

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Vietnamese Party leader meets with Dominican MIU party leader

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong met here on Monday with a high-ranking delegation of the Dominican Republic' s United Left Movement (MIU) Party led by its General Secretary cum Minister of the Dominican Republic, Jose Miguel Mejia, during their visit to Vietnam.

Trong sincerely thanked the solidarity and support of the Dominican people, the MIU and its general secretary rendered for the Vietnamese people during the latter's fight for national salvation in the past and their national construction at present.

Trong congratulated the success of the MIU Party and expressed his belief that in the coming time the MIU Party and the Dominican progressive alliance would obtain more achievement in their just fight for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

The MIU Party General Secretary thanked Trong for warm welcome, affirming his admiration to the late President Ho Chi Minh, the CPV and the Vietnamese people, as well as expressing his impression on Vietnam's achievements in the renewal process.

The two party leaders informed each other of their respective country's current situation and affirmed determination to further consolidate and develop solidarity and friendship between the two parties and people of Vietnam and Dominica.

Earlier on the same day, a delegation of the CPV Central Committee led by its Foreign Relations Commission Chief Hoang Binh Quan, held talks with MIU Party delegation led by Mejia. During the talks, the two sides exchanged news of their respective party and international issues of mutual concern, as well as discussed measures to further expand bilateral relations and cooperation.

Mejia and his entourages also met with representatives of the Vietnamese ministry of foreign affairs and some agencies and businesses to work on measures to boost cooperation in the coming years.

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Source: English People Daily

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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Dominican Republic Continues $20.6 Million Nationwide Paving Plan

Continuing the country’s nationwide infrastructure push, the Dominican Republic is investing $20.6 million in a National Asphalt Plan to remake its roads.

The plan, which was launched in November, is now working its way through the Monsenor Nouel province, where it is being run by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.

In recent weeks, the government and President Leonel Fernandez have unveiled a series of completed and soon-to-be launched infrastructure projects, from the $100 million road from Constanza to Jarabacoa to a new mountain highway project set to begin in April.

According to the government, the plan has fulfilled several objectives — raising property values near the roads, improving quality of life and improving health, the latter due to the new roads’ not accumulating mud and water.

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Source: Caribbean Journal

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Giants prospect Villalona has his visa delayed in Dominican Republic for weight, health issues

San Francisco Giants prospect Angel Villalona has had his visa delayed back home in the Dominican Republic for what the team was told are weight and health issues.

Bobby Evans, Giants vice president of baseball operations, says the club is hopeful the concerns of the U.S. Consulate in the Dominican Republic are “short-lived.”

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to get past the delay at some point,” Evans said Tuesday. “They cited health reasons and he’s on a visa that’s really set aside for elite athletes, which is an expectation that he’s in a certain level of conditioning that would afford him that opportunity. And they didn’t deem him where he should be, and yet we’ve been working with him the last couple of months and feel like he’s awful close, so we’re a little disappointed.”

Villalona was charged in the September 2009 death of a 25-year-old man at a bar in his Caribbean homeland. He was freed on bond that November after the family of the deceased asked a judge to drop the case. But Villalona was also stripped of his U.S. visa at the time.

Last October, Villalona said he had dropped a lawsuit against the Giants seeking $5 million in damages after the team decided to reinstate him to its farm system. He alleged the Giants kept him on the inactive list even though he had been cleared of homicide charges. Villalona had sought back wages and punitive damages.

Now, he has a locker at Scottsdale Stadium waiting for his spring arrival — if it happens, that is. Villalona was added to the Giants’ 40-man roster in November.

He received a $2.1 million bonus when San Francisco signed him at age 16 in August 2006. It was the biggest bonus the franchise had ever given to an amateur player.

He was considered among the club’s top prospects before the 2008 season and was selected for the Futures Game during All-Star festivities that year. San Francisco reportedly outbid the New York Yankees, Mets, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners for Villalona.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound slugging first baseman had drawn comparisons to Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre and Wily Mo Pena. He played in 74 games for Class-A San Jose in ‘09, batting .267 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs.

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Source: Washington Post

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Dominican Republic has big potential in New York market

In 2010 the Dominican Republic only exported 0.43% of the total volume of products that had great demand in New York city, taking as reference 20 countries that export to that market.

The country sold 424.800 quintals of agricultural products, although the amount
is relatively very low, it represents the ninth most important supplier, according to statistics from the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This indicates a significant disadvantage in the difference in export volumes in relation to the eight countries that occupy top positions in that market, which account for 98% of total of exports.

The report was limited to eleven products that had the biggest demand in New York which are avocados, chilli peppers, kabocha squash, papaya, mango, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, roma tomatoes and bananas.

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Despite the country's strategic location and favorable climate for the production of
all products demanded, the Dominican exports to New York were way below other countries like Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Belize,
the report said.

Avocado was the product that was sold in greater volume, 23,090,000 pounds, representing 23% of the amount sold in Canada which was 99,030,000 pounds.

Mango sales to the city were only 0.6% of the amount sold by Peru and 0.8% of Brazilian exports to that market. The Dominican Republic exported 6.2 million pounds of chilli to New York, and in that category Mexico is the only one that competes since it sold 387.4 million pounds, a 98.4% difference.

Haiti exported 14,170,000 pounds of mango, volume that exceeds in 97% the one the country sends, which is 410,000. In that area, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia
dominate the market.

Banana exports from the Dominican Republic to New York were only 0.6% of the total, while Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia cover 99% of demand. In papaya sales the country is below Mexico, Brazil, Belize and Guatemala, with only 1.3% of total sales. Mexico accounts for 79% and Belize for 15% of the market.

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Source: Fresh Plaza

Monday, February 20, 2012

Casa de Campo bets US$40M on the country’s tourism future

Casa de Campo resort president Claudio Silvestri on said its owner, the Central Romana Corporation has invested more than 40 million dollars on its reconstruction, despite the global economic crisis, and on their positive outlook in Dominican Republic’s future.

“Our company, has great expectations for the country’s future, for La Romana and for tourism, for that reason, during the crisis, when everyone cut back, our company had the vision and decided to invest 40 million dollars, which is important for our tourist destination,” Silvestri told news source hoy.com.do.

The hotelier said the remodeling of one of the hotel’s biggest salons will conclude this year, at a cost of more than one million dollars, and that US$12 million are being spent to build what he called the Caribbean’s most complete kitchen. He also cited US$2.0 million to build 20 new rooms.

As to Europe’s economic crisis Silvestri acknowledged its effect in Dominican tourism in general, noting that in spite of it, decided to position the resort above the fray, “where the turbulence is felt less.”

The executive spoke Wednesday during the reception for JetBlue’s new flight to La Romana International Airport, with 135 tourists from New York.

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Source: Dominican Today

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Mudslides halt traffic to Constanza

Traffic on the road to the mountain town of Constanza was halted Friday morning at the 7 kilometer marker, as flooding from several days of downpours in the zone unleashed mudslides, diariolibre.com reports.

Work crews and technicians from the contractor Odebrecht and the Public Works Ministry were sent to the zone to remove the mudslide’s debris, reported at the area known as El Abanico, and reopen the road.

Traffic was detoured through the road from Jarabacoa to Constanza, whose municipal authorities warned motorists that use the route to drive with caution to prevent accidents.

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Source: Dominican Today

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism Celebrates New JetBlue Direct Service to La Romana

Americans can melt away the frigid weather this winter and jet to La Romana and Bayahibe on Dominican Republic's Southeast Coast, thanks to JetBlue Airways' new nonstop service. Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism welcomed nearly 135 passengers on JetBlue Airways' first nonstop flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to La Romana International Airport (LRM) on Nov. 16 in true Dominican fashion, complete with merengue dancers, Dominican rum and world-famous Dominican hospitality that helped draw a record 4.1 million visitors to the country in 2010.

Out of nearly 1.5 million Dominicans living in America today, the largest population lives in New York, both native and foreign-born. JetBlue's new route to La Romana – home to the famed Casa de Campo Resort, Altos de Chavon and the award-winning Teeth of the Dog golf course – will make the escape to La Romana's tropical temperatures and lush swaying palm trees more convenient and cost-effective for everyone living in New York and beyond.

"We are thrilled to welcome JetBlue's nonstop service to La Romana and applaud their vision and recognition of the growing visitor demand for our large island nation," said Magaly Toribio, Vice Minister of International Promotion, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "It's easier than ever for visitors to have it all this winter, exploring the incredible beauty of La Romana and Bayahibe along the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can even take the number one excursion from La Romana to Santo Domingo to experience the historic Colonial City and fascinating culture that abounds in our capital city."

Dominican Republic has it all for visitors. Its Southeast Coast includes some of the world's best golf courses; palm-tree covered National Parks, vast sugar cane fields and pure white-sand beaches. "La Romana charms families, honeymooners, divers and golfers alike. This new route will positively impact tourism in the area, and also provide Dominicans living in the United States a convenient opportunity to return home," added Toribio.

The JFK to La Romana flight on Wednesdays and Saturdays is the airline's fifth Dominican city to receive JetBlue service.

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Source: Sacremento Bee

Friday, February 17, 2012

Punta Cana International Airport to open new runway

The Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana International Airport is set to open its new runway and air traffic control tower next week (November 15).

The new runway has been built to support the growing demand for direct flights from major international cities, such as New York, Chicago, Miami, Paris, London, Moscow, and Sao Paolo. The design of the 10,200ft long runway cost around $30 million.

Frank Rainieri, CEO of Grupo PuntaCana, which owns and operates the airport and is funding the expansion, said: “Our goal has always been to showcase the beauty of our country to as many people as possible, and with the new runway, travel to the Dominican Republic has never been easier.”

The airport is on track for a 10% increase in air passengers in 2011, Rainieri said.

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Source: Airport World

Record year expected for tourism in Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Bond defaults, jitters about a double-dip recession, 9.1 percent unemployment — all the unrelenting talk of the tattered global economy doesn’t seem to compare to the draw of a few days on a Caribbean beach.

The Dominican Republic, the Caribbean’s top tourism destination, expects record numbers of tourists this year and next. It’s on pace to receive nearly 5 million visitors in 2011, topping the record set last year.

“The global economy is clearly having an effect on tourism, but the Dominican Republic is trending higher. It’s a growing and developing destination,” said Scott Sperling, senior economist at Pennsylvania-based Tourism Economics, which forecasts travel patterns around the world.

Tourism Economics recently revised its global tourism forecast downward. While tourist travel will grow, it will only increase by 2.5 percent this year, Sperling said.

But economic struggles appear to be working in the Dominican Republic’s favor.

“We are attracting the [U.S.] tourists who are not going to Europe because it’s far and more expensive,” said Humberto Ozoria, spokesman for the Dominican Ministry of Tourism.

Sperling said the total number of visitors to the country — arriving by airplane and cruise ship — is expected to increase by 4.7 percent this year and grow by a robust 5.7 percent in 2012.

“Because of the economic situation, Americans that used to travel to long-haul destinations have shifted their preferences to traveling to closer destinations,” the ministry said.

The country, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is less than two hours from Miami on a direct flight, and the government is trying to cash in on that proximity with the advertising slogan “Closer than you think.”

One of its television spots shows a woman bundled in a coat and scarf in a busy city peering into a vehicle’s side-view-mirror, which reads “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” She and her family are suddenly transported to a palm-lined beach and sights such as Santo Domingo’s colonial quarter and a golf course appear.

Motivated by a cheap hotel rate in an online advertisement, Maria Bruno, a waitress, caught a flight from northern New Jersey and was on a Dominican beach a few hours later.

“It’s easy. You don’t have to plan much. You get here and it’s taken care of,” said Bruno as she sifted through crafts and artwork at a gift shop in Santo Domingo, the capital. “Even with the economy the way it is, you still want to get away, especially before the winter.”

U.S. travelers like Bruno are focusing both on shorter trips and attractive prices, said Tim Mullen, president of Apple Vacations, the largest U.S. operator of tours to the Dominican Republic.

For many travelers, a getaway to the country means a stay at one of the many mammoth beachfront, all-inclusive resorts. In these compounds — for as little as $50 a day per person — tourists can hop from buffet to bar, pool to sea, taking in a session of water aerobics or beach volleyball.

The country “has always been the best value in the Caribbean; the all-inclusive values make it more popular than ever,” Mullen said.

Thanks in large part to tourism, the Dominican economy is forecast to grow by 5 percent this year, according to the Central Bank. Tourism supports 250,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, and tourists spent roughly $4.5 billion last year, according to industry figures.

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Source: Miami Herald

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