SEPTEMBER 2008
Meeting about the development of Las Terrenas
A committee is created for the reorganization
The meeting of the past Friday was about 12 crucial points in what concerns the development of Las Terrenas, that is to say:
1- The real estate situation
2- The revision of the constructor and real estate developer status
3- Situation of the village’s roads
4- Derogation of the resolution of the Tourism secretary Jiminez about the creation of a moratory for the construction and the development of real estate projects
5- Ending of the waste water system
6- Reorganization of the vehicles circulation
7- Reorganization of the rubbish collection
8- Acceleration of the bureaucratic steps (Law 158) for the approbation of the projects
9- Security. Equipment for the Police and Politur
10- Public lighting
11-Obtain a copy of the regulating plan made by the architect Marcelo Alburquerque to be analyzed by the assistants
12- Solicit the intervention of the Minister or ask him to indicate the fastest way to:
- - End the fitting of the hospital
- - End the provincial aqueduct
- - Create an Technical Institute of Touristic Formation
- - Obtain the Boulevard Status
- - Retrieve public spaces and correct the streets
- -Obtain the settlement status of the river mouth on the beach
In this reunion, were presents, the new Samaná Province Governor, Miguel BEZI, the deputy José ACEVEDO, the Las Terrenas mayor José Alexis MARTINEZ and the architect Marcelo ALBURQUERQUE, in charge of the reorganization plan of Las Terrenas.
Miguel BEZI, as he referred to the resolution of Felix JIMÉNEZ, explained that the expansion or the explosion of the Las Terrenas zone, in real estate and hotel terms, needed a stopping of the constructions with a view to set in order and to be able to verify this constructions authorizations.
It’s necessary to understand that a plan of setting in order from the government has already started, in particular for the realization of the El Catey – Las Terrenas road, with an accurate trail and that in less that one week we landed with the starting of a house construction in the middle of this future road. This is why we had to stop this anarchical development with or without authorizations. Now it’s time to set in order this development with the community, with dates and to block the construction during 30 or 45 days in order to allow the architects who are charged of the reorganization of the village development, to present us their reorganization plan
he explained.
The temporary lack of AC-30 (tar that allows the fabrication of asphalt) was confirmed by Miguel BEZI and block the ending of the realization of the roads and streets of Las Terrenas.
The architect Marcelo ALBURQUERQUE explained the intention to create a road parallel to the beach and at 250 meter of this one, from behind Codetel until Portillo in order to relieve the traffic congestion in the village center and to make it possible for the locals and visitants to park in this street and go to the beach on feet.
A committee of technicians and local architects was created to help the good development of this reorganization plan and we impatiently wait for the result of this committee for the next one or two months.
Sylvain Maufrais, LTL, 01-09-08
Cleaning of the beaches by the workers of the Las Terrenas Town Hall
Preparing for the week-ends
Since 15 days, all the Fridays, the workers of the Las Terrenas Town Hall dedicate the end of their morning to the maintenance and the cleaning of the beaches of Las Terrenas, in order to welcome in the best conditions the visitors, holiday-maker and residents.
This initiative, more than necessary, make our friends of Santo Domingo and Santiago happy, they are more and more numerous to come and spend a week-end on the wonderful beaches of the village.
The essential part of theses works is concenteredon the most visited zone, Punta Popi, but will be soon extended from the Cosón beaches to the Portillo ones, with the help of the compactor trucks.
Sylvain Maufrais, LTL, 02.09.08
SPECIAL BULLETIN : The Dominican Republic in Red Alert
More than 8000 people were evacuated this night by the authorities
Downpours will continue today over the totality of the national territory and the tropical storm warning is maintained from Puerto Plata to Bahia de Manzanillo.
The tropical storm Hanna is currently over the Dominican Republic and Haiti, at 150 km in the south-east of the Bahamas.
More than 8000 people were evacuated this night by the authorities.
The ONAMET emitted its last bulletin at 5:00 a.m specifying that the tropical storm Hanna strengthened and that the provinces of Dajabón, Montecristi and Puerto Plata, Espaillat, Sánchez Ramírez, Santiago, Monte Plata, Santo Domingo and the Capital, Duarte, Samaná, La Vega et Monseñor Nouel were in Red Alert.
Strong rains made rivers overflowing and strong wind gusts blew off trees.
This night, the ONAMET also confirmed that the tropical storms Ike and Josephine strengthened over the Atlantic and had the potential to become hurricanes.
There are 3 cyclones, Hanna, Ike and Josephine which again threaten the Caribbean and the United States, during the high peak of the hurricane season 2008.
Hanna, with a reduced forward speed and tropical winds of 100 to 120 km/h, already killed 15 people in Haiti.
The computer models are still very uncertain regarding the future track of Hanna which could hit Florida according to some or North Carolina according to others.
Las Terrenas Live, 03.09.08
Cyclone IKE is an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane
IKE strengthened to category 4 during the night in less than 8 hours
IKE intensified from category 1 to category 4 during the night and it is expected to be an extremely powerful hurricane. The forecasts on its trajectory are imprecise and it is too early to determine what land areas might eventually be affected by IKE. Located about 800 km of the Leeward Islands, hurricane maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 230 km/h with higher gusts and is moving near 28 km/h. Hurricane force winds extend outward up 55 km from the center and the tropical storm force winds outward up to 260 km.
Next advisories will be issued every 4 hours.
To see the tropical hurricane weather CLICK HERE
Sylvain MAUFRAIS, Las Terrenas Live, 04.09.08, 8:15am
The National Office of Statistics is publishing data on the Provinces
« Socio Demographic Provincial Profiles »
The National Office of Statistics (ONE) published a document with 20 socio demographic profiles corresponding to the provinces of Bahoruco, Barahona, Duarte, Dajabón, Elías Piña, Espaillat, Independencia, Hermanas Mirabal, La Vega, María Trinidad Sánchez, Monseñor Nouel, Montecristi, Pedernales, Puerto Plata, Samaná, San Cristóbal, San Juan, Sánchez Ramírez, Santiago Rodríguez and Valverde.
The information contained in these publications and grouped under the title « Socio Demographic Provincial Profiles », come from studies carried out by the ONE office, on projections of population, municipal receipts and deficits 2005; compendium of the accidental and violent deaths 2003-2007; vital statistics 2001-2005; census of the population 2002 (with territorial distribution 2007); as well as from information coming from institutions like the Secretariat of Education (SEE), the Program of the United Nations for Development (UNDP), the Secretariat of Public Health and the Central Electoral Board.
The profiles represent the most significant data on the socio demographic and economic situation of the provinces.
The contents are distributed by geographical and demographic characteristics, residences and homes, socio-economic data and political participation.
This document is available on the following Web page: www.one.gov.do.
Listín Diario, 05.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
Las Terrenas once again pointed out by the national press
Denunciation and pollution
An Italian citizen appeal to the Environment authorities, to the Secretariat of Interior and Police and to President Leonel Fernández, to help the commune of Las Terrenas where refuse, noise and pollution are deteriorating the quality of life of its residents.
He explained that Law 287-04 which regulates everything relating to the noise is quite clear as for the places, the distance and how to act in the event of violation. But it is not respected.
The foreigner supported that for several months, he is fighting so that the authorities defer their attention on the situation, but that every time he has a discussion with a responsible person, this one pleads that it is not his responsibility.
He specified that in various occasions, he already addressed to the National police force and to the « fiscals » of the jurisdiction who say that this problem is not theirs competence.
He added that approximately two weeks ago, a representative of the Environment Secretariat came to Las Terrenas in order to evaluate the situation.
The Secretariat of Environment recognizes that there is an incredible disorder, but I would like to know what really will be made to face and solve the situation of Las Terrenas, a tourist Community which brings a lot of benefices to the country,
added the Italian.
In this order, he appealed to the authorities that they designate a person in charge to slow down this situation.
He supported that when he addresses to the owners of night places that are located close to his residence to complain about the noise, they plead that everyone made what he wants in his house.
The Italian citizen clarified that he is not the only one affected, but that a great quantity of people is also suffering from these harmful effects.
Listín Diario, by Viviano de León, 08.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
The roads and the streets of Las Terrenas
The laying out work continues
The Public Work Ministry in coordination with the Town hall of Las Terrenas, continues the realization of the gutter and sidewalks of the streets of the village.
For one month now, they was more than 10 km of sidewalks which were built for the comfort, the safety and the hygiene of the inhabitants of the village of Las Terrenas, and in preparation of the future asphalting of the roads and streets.
The program must continue over an additional 4 month-period for the total cover of the village and its neighbourhoods, so 25 km of sidewalks.
The workmen finalized the Hospital and Sánchez streets and are currently in the sector of Caño Seco and will continue then by Come Pan.
The Carmen, Nuñez and Luperon streets are also in preparation.
The width of the pavements having to be one meter, some fences and walls will be pushed back, as far as possible, until obtaining this width.
The Town council also launched a reduction plan of the bends of the Cosón road by authorizing the widening of the public way following the tragic accident of last month.
Barrio Caño Seco, Calle Pepín
Sylvain MAUFRAIS, Las Terrenas Live, 09.09.08
Top Dominican hotelier blames fall in tourist visits on reports on storms
Hotel occupancy lower
National Hotels and Restaurants Association (ASONAHORES) president Haydeé Kuret de Rainieri today said tourist arrivals to Dominican Republic fell as much as 20 percent so far this month, lowering hotel occupancy significantly.
She attributes the situation to the national and international media’s disinformation on the storms that have affected the country in last the three weeks. This is also due to the hastened information on hurricanes. You see that CNN was alarming with the cyclones three months before. The press makes things bigger then they are.
Kuret said tourist arrivals in the hotels at Punta Cana are slightly lower, different from took place in the summer when the growth outpaced 2007.
Interviewed on Channel 11, the hotelier said airfare increases, the economic crisis in United States and in a large part Europe, as well as constant increases in fuel prices, also affected arrivals.
We expect this situation of fewer tourist arrivals improves when the winter season begins, and we can again have the hotels full, but it’s a job not for us to lay back, it’s necessary to promote and push.
Dominican Today, 11.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
Cocoa as tourist promotion
A campaign for the chocolate lovers
A promotion campaign of the Dominican tourist destination by the means of one of its most exotic and delicious export products, the cocoa, is carried out in Italy, intended for a market of fine palates lovers of its finished product: the chocolate.
It is a new tactic developed by the Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR) and the Association of Italian Chocolate Lovers (Chococlub) which should be used to multiply the growing interest of the Italians to visit the Dominican Republic.
Thanks to this alliance with Chococlub, tasting meeting are organized in Italy with the goal to make known the tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic, its landscapes and especially its population, its inhabitants.
The Dominican Republic is an attractive territory rich in emotions
, expresses Neyda García, director of the Office of Dominican Tourist Promotion (OPT) in Italy.
García said that during the presentations, an experimented guide of Chococlub travels with the public in our country through the images, the history and the techniques of plantation and elaboration of the cocoa, emblematic product of our agriculture
.
The president of Chococlub, Davide Ferrero, says that it does not act of a simple guided tasting of the chocolate but of a complete sensory experience in images, sounds, perfumes and tastes
, during which the participants will discover the Dominican Republic, its inhabitants, its habits.
Al Momento, 12.09.08
Elaboration of the development plan of the Peninsula of Samaná
Architects support the resolution prohibiting the new projects in Las Terrenas
The company of architects-consultants of Marcelo Alburquerque defends the resolution of the Secretariat of Tourism which prohibits the approval of new real estate projects in Las Terrenas, because this zone is currently in full process of reorganization.
This company explains that moreover, in Las Terrenas it was planned to allotted some areas for the realization of future projects which did not have the no objection
of the Secretariats of Tourism and Public works as well as of other qualified organizations. Because of this situation, the secretariat of Tourism suspended the approval of new real estate projects in Las Terrenas and in the adjacent zones, as long as they will not be in agreement with the definitive development plan.
This measure of Tourism tends to preserve the future official and private investments thanks to a pre-definite framework and whose benefit will have a great impact for the inhabitants.
The Marcelo Alburquerque Company was contracted by the National Association of the Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) for the development of the plans of the peninsula of Samaná, plans which include the tourist areas of Samaná, Los Cacaos, Las Terrenas, El Limón and Las Galeras.
This work is made in coordination and with the support of the Secretariat of Tourism, within the framework of the Tourist National Plan of Competitiveness and will be carried out by the private and public sectors.
The resolution which prohibits new projects was adopted by the former Secretary of Tourism, Felix Jiménez.
This measure was rejected by some sectors of Samaná which plead that with this resolution, one seeks to make only benefit big investors’ companies.
Among the entities which were opposed to this resolution, there are the Association of the Tourist Services of Samaná, the Association of the Contactors of Las Terrenas and the Association of the Owners of Punta Bonita, among other associations.
Hoy Digital, by Odalis Mejía, 15.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
Dominican delegation arrived to Paris
To participate to the International Fair Top Resa
PARIS, France.- The State Secretary of Tourism of Dominican Republic, Francisco Javier García, directs the official delegation of this country that arrived this Sunday in France, in order to attend the XXX international fair Top Resa
, that takes place from September 16th to September 19th.
During his journey in the European nation, the Minister will follow a full agenda, that is part of the official strategy of Dominican Republic Promotion in the tourism world.
At his arrival to Paris, Javier García came with the sub secretary of Tourism for the North region César José de los Santos; Gabriel Rodríguez ; assistant; Isabel Vásquez, promotion director ; et Rossanna Figueroa, Press and Communication deirector.
Sunday 14th
García was received at 11.00am (France hour) to the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, by the director of the Touristic Promotion Office (OPT) Mercedes Castillo, and the Dominican ambassador in France, Guillermo Piña Contreras.
At 03.00pm, he met the press agent of the OPT, Dominique Darrigade, and one hour later, the president of the publicity agency Made in Spain, Rafael Sarró.
Monday 15th
Monday, the Minister started by an interview with the most important French newspapers and magazines specialized in tourism. Then, he met the executives of the trip agencies network Alliance T
, and lunched with Bruno Gallois, president of Marsans France
, the second most important French Tour Operator.
At 5.45pm, the tourism secretary was received by the general director of the organisation of United Nations for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), at this organism headquarter, with Juan Luis Guerra, that was awarded as the UNESCO artist for peace
.
Tuesday 16th
On the occasion of the opening of the XXX international fair Top Resa
, the Tourism Secretary will meet Laurent Magnin, president of XL Airways
, one of the three companies that fly directly from Paris to DR.
At 11.00am, he will be interviewed by the weekly magazine L’Echo Touristiqu
e, that is the most read by the Tour Operators executives.
At 01.00pm, García will go to the Official Lunch of Top Resa Ministers 2008, that will be presided by Hervé Novelli.
Wednesday 17th
The Wednesday will begin with an interview with Tourmag.com
, the first specialized press organism in France.
At 11.00am a meeting with Georges Viallard, general director of the important Tour Operator FRAM is scheduled, and at 02.45, an interview with Cedric Gobillard, president of the TO Look Voyages
will take place.
Later, he will assist to two meetings, with Jean-Marc Siano, president of the Nouvelles Frontières
Group, first TO for the Dominican Republic, and with Patrice Caradec, general director of the TO Vacances Transat
.
Thuesday 18th
For his last day in the French Capital, García will be interviewed by the monthly magazine Express
and by the English communication agency George Nicklas
.
Finally, he will direct a meeting with the Dominican Promotion Offices in Europe.
The Top Resa is the most important touristic Fairy, and it constitutes the first international event to which Javier García is assisting as the Toursim Secrerary.
Our first European Market
France is now our main market issuer of tourists in the European Union, and the third one at a global scale, afet USA and Europe.
Dominican Republic Live will follow the development of the International Fair Top Resa, as well as the Imobiliary show of Paris.
Sectur, 16.09.08
Dominican Republic will receive 24 weekly flights from France
For the high season
PARIS, France. - Dominican Republic will receive 24 weekly flights as from November, informed this Tuesday the Tourism Minister. Francisco Javier García, indicated that of these flights, 22 will be regular and two will be charter flights.
The additional good news is that XL Airways Company will propose flights from the French cities of Lyon, Nantes, Marseilles and Paris, directly to the international airports of the Dominican Republic.
The civil servant is heading the Dominican representation to the International Fair « Top Resa », which began this Tuesday in Paris.
Currently, France has 10 weekly flights to Dominican Republic, among the latter, 8 are regular flights of Air France and 2 are charter flights of Corsair Company.
He explained that the launching of the new flights of XL Airways will allow the French tourists living in province to travel directly to the various poles of the country
. This successful result is in harmony with the image that we want to give on the various international markets, to be the principal destination of the Caribbean
, expressed the civil servant after having met the president of XL Airways, Laurent Magnin, in the stand of DR in the International « Top Resa » Fair.
The expansion of the flights from France from November coincides with the beginning of the winter season, time during which tourist flow increases.
Al Momento, 17.09.08
International Coastal Cleanup Day
The Vida Azul Foundation gathers good wills
The International Coastal Cleanup Day will take place on next Saturday September 20 in Dominican Republic, as from nine o’clock in the morning and on more than one dozen of beaches in all the country.
The Vida Azul Foundation announced its alliance with one of the most important NGO on a world level as for the environment protection: the Ocean Conservancy Foundation, of which one of the objectives is to clean the splendid beaches which we enjoy here in Dominican Republic.
Ocean Conservancy, founded in 1972, promotes healthy and diversified oceanic ecosystems and is against practices which threaten the oceans and the human life.
The latter carries out every year the International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC).
This event joins together thousands of people around the world to collect waste in the coasts of their countries and this last constitutes the most important event of voluntary in this category.
The Foundation Vida Azul is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 and primarily made up of professionals and amateurs of diving, which seek to develop the coastal communities by the means of sustainable business activities in relation with diving, this in order to give financial alternatives to these communities while working to the safeguarding of the marine ecosystems and the coasts.
The Foundation recalls that the problems which today affect the environment and which has a direct impact on the quality of life of the human beings is the problem of everybody and that we must work in a united manner and without slackening in order to decrease the negative impacts which are caused by the human beings.
El Caribe, 18.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
Tourism Minister meets with French Tour Operators
Top Resa International Fair
PARIS, France. - The four bigger French tour operators who work with the Dominican Republic met with the Tourism Minister to evaluate the growth prospects and the initiatives of collaboration.
Francisco Javier García met separately with the directors of the Nouvelles Frontières, Fram, Look Voyages and Vacances Transat companies, with whom he reviewed the situation of the French market with regard to the Dominican destination.
During these meetings, the Dominican Minister was accompanied by the under-secretary of tourism for the Northern Area, César José de los Santos; the director of the Europe Promotion Offices, Petra Cruz; and by the director of the Tourist Office Promotion for France (OPT), Mercedes Castillo.
During his visit in Paris to the Top Resa International Fair, the Minister conversed with Jean-Marc Siano, president of the Nouvelles Frontières group, the main French tour operator for the Dominican Republic and representative of the Corsair airline company. This group manages three hotels in our country and with the Club Méditérannée, it is the preferred company of the French families for the holidays.
The Minister also met with Georges Viallard, managing director of FRAM, company with great tradition in France and on the Dominican market, who predicted the growth of the French tourists flow towards the country thanks to the opening of the first Framssima hotel.
He also had contacts with Cédric Gobillard, president of Look Voyages, agency which has three Lookea hotels in Dominican Republic and which defined the country as a priority destination on the French market.
The Minister held also a meeting with Patrice Caradec, managing director of Vacances Transat, the Canadian Transat group, third important tour operator in France for the Dominican destination.
He indicated that during these meetings, he assessed the situation of the French market, he listened to suggestions to guarantee a larger French tourists flow towards the Dominican Republic and presented to his interlocutors the plans of Sectur to extend the tourist niches of the country, particularly in France and in Europe.
The Tourism Minister also headed a meeting with Tourmag.com, the principal organization of specialized press in France, whose informative portal receives approximately 29 thousand monthly visits of tour operators, travel agents, tourists and investors.
García is also planning to meet with the monthly publication “Express” and the English communication agency George Nicklas.
Finally, he will head a meeting with the Dominican Promotion Offices in Europe.
The Top Resa is the most important tourist fair of France and it is the first international event to which Javier García assists as Tourism portfolio holder.
Al Momento, 19.09.08
Dominican Republic will open its airspace
To compensate the deficit of seats
The government of the Dominican Republic will provide facilities so that the low cost airline companies can fly from and to the country, informed the director of the Airport Department, Andrés Vanderhorst.
He indicated that the Dominican Republic will open its airspace in the same way as made by Panama, to compensate the deficit of seats caused by the reduction in the number of flights of the big companies.
He indicated that all the efforts were made to not have a reduction in the number of places.
He recognizes that the increase in fuel prices caused a reduction in the flights, especially coming from New York, Miami and Puerto Rico and that; consequently, there was a an increase in the prices of the flight tickets.
Al Momento, 22.09.08
The Dominican Republic in Paris, positive results
Tourist agreements confirmed for the winter season
PARIS.- The participation of Dominican Republic in the International Tourism Fair Top Resa 2008 was evaluated as en excellent opportunity to confirm the winter 2008 contracts and to start the negotiations for the next summer and winter 2009 season.
This was confirmed by Tourism Minister, Franciso Javier García, by the former President of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) Luís López as well as by hotels’ managers, tour operators and travel agents who had representative people in the Dominican stand.
Talking on behalf of the Dominican State, Franciso Javier García, Tourism Minister, expressed that the contractors who attended this tourist fair demonstrated their satisfaction as well as regarding the volume of negotiated businesses for the winter 2008 season as for the contracts regarding the summer-winter 2009 season.
García explained that Top Resa is the biggest international tourism fair for the French market to which contractors, investors, hotels chains, tour operators, travel agents and media of the world are participating.
On his side, Luís López, former president of Asonahores, expressed that during the fair, the Dominican contractors confirmed the agreements realized for the winter 2008 season.
López emphasized that during the fair; a lot of tourism professionals visited the Dominican stand and also started the negotiations for the future contracts for the summer-winter 2009 with good perspectives of businesses.
He said that because of the French people preference for the Dominican destination, the country has to diversify its options and to maintain the excellence in the quality level of its services so that the tourism remains an important factor of the Dominican economy.
As well as hotels’ managers, tour operators as travel agents were in agreement to say that this year, Top Resa receive much more professional visitors because the event was in Paris, contrary to the previous years when it took place in Deauville in Normandie.
Al Momento, 23.09.08
Dominican Republic celebrates Las Mercedes Day
National Holiday
This Wednesday, September 24th is the 393nd anniversary of the proclamation of the Our Lady of Mercies (La Virgen de las Mercedes) as the patron saint of the Dominican Republic.
A series of events are being held to commemorate this event, which is a national holiday. Masses will be celebrated in honor of the patron saint, followed by a procession through the Colonial Zone.
The first apparition of the patron took place in 1495 when she spoke to a group of Spanish soldiers who were fighting the Taino Indians, according to local lore.
Our Lady of Mercies then appeared on several more occasions at Santo Cerro, where a church has been built in her honor.
Dominican Today, 24.09.08
Caribey Apartments in Las Terrenas
New project
Germosén, the builder company and Costa de la Luz, the real estate agency presented the project Caribey Apartments in Las Terrenas, at the time of a ceremony which took place at the restaurant Las Espetada.
Jose Germosén, president of Germosén Constructora, thanked the present people and informed that the Caribey residence is based on two key words: force and opportunity.
To represent the Costa de la Luz company, José Oliva and Vicky Martínez, directors and owners of the latter, spoke to underline at which point they had been impressed when they arrived from Spain, by Las Terrenas and its 18 km of beaches, by the incredible green hills, by the mixture of the cultures and the contact with nature.
Caribey Apartments is composed of 31 apartments of 1 and 2 rooms, the project includes a reception, a common laundry, 24 hours security and a power generator for emergency.
It has also two common aeras completely independent, one located on the third floor and since which one enjoys an impressive sea view and a swimming pool with overflow which makes merge the water of the swimming pool and that of the ocean.
Caribey is located to the center of Las Terrenas, close to the Fishermen Village, famous for its gastronomical variety and close to the most beautiful beach of the village, Playa Las Ballenas.
Manuel García Arevalo, president of the Official Spanish Commerce Chamber in Dominican Republic, as well as investors, special guests and the media attended the cocktail.
Listín Diario, by Mariela Carvajal, 25.09.08
The complaint procedures for the tourists will be modified
A faster process will be set up
The standards established in the country to protect the rights of the tourists to face the non compliance from the service providers must be modified because it acts of foreigners who will have a limited stay and will need procedures with immediate answers, proposed the lawyer Gisele Pérez Reyes, expert in tourism right.
Pérez Reyes indicates that the tourism specialized standards as the legislation of consumer protection proposes repair in the event of promised services and which were not provided, but that the actual mechanisms are complicated and that it is difficult for the visitor to currently obtain an answer during the time of his stay in the country.
In this way, she suggests implementing a system of immediate compensation for the repair of incompliance from the tourist service providers”.
And also to impose on some tourist services providers the obligation to post in evidence the listing of the rights of the tourist and the compensation prices corresponding to the possible damage or injuries
; like creating a specialized authority in the tourist sector having the right to enforce the Law of Consumer Protection.
Moreover, she proposes to carry out an educational and advertising campaign on the tourist rights in Dominican Republic, as contribution to the improvement of the tourist protective system.
Al Momento, 26.09.08
Photo Los Ojos de Denis - All rights reserved
Ecological tourism
Prime mover of the rural areas development
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean island having the largest bio diversity and with the greatest range of different ecosystems, from its more higher top, the Duarte peak, to its lower lake, the Enriquillo lake; from the exuberance of the Cibao and San Juan valleys, to the arid grounds of the South-western and North-western areas.
In the middle of the Caribbean, there are high zones, where in winter the temperatures are generally below zero and geographical sectors where it never goes down lower than 34 Cº.
From the high summits of the Central Cordillera to the depths of Hoyo de Pelempito, from the unexplored nature of Miches to the splendid beaches of Pedernales, the offer available in the country for nature lovers is extraordinary, and a lot of people start to discover it.
Thousands of Dominican and foreigners leave their comfortable hotels to enjoy the natural wonders of the country.
Mariam Matías, director of the Eco-Tourism Department f the Secretariat of Tourism, stresses that although the greatest number of tourist who comes in the country seek the sun and the beaches, some of them want to discover the country, with other interests, and it is almost always through the eco-tourism.
This generated a complementary offer which allows the residents of hotels and resorts to visit several interesting points as the El Limón waterfall in Samaná; the Saona and Catalina islands and Cayo Arena, in Punta Rusia as well as several national parks.
One currently works to the execution of a Strategic planning for the Eco-Tourism Development, financed by the Japanese Co-operation Agency, and with the participation of the Tourism, Environment and Culture ministries.
This plan has for prospects the development of the eco-tourism in the country, the regulation and the categorization of the companies of the sector, the creation of an aptitude certification to support sustainable tourist operations as well as the construction of an ecological path in the Central Cordillera, programs of communitarian co administrations and clusters organization.
Some of these points are in execution, like the clusters organization, of which nine are already operational, as well as the categorization and the regulation of the hotels.
The method of the clusters in the tourism sector showed good performances. In the eco-tourism sector, nine are in operation and benefit from the advice of the United States Agency for International Development.
The active clusters are those of Barahona, Constanza, Jarabacoa, Samaná, Puerto Plata, Pedernales, La Romana-Bayahíbe and Santo Domingo.
Protected sectors
The protected national parks and other sectors are managed by the Secretariat of the Environment and the Natural Resources, which has a strict control on the visitors and the tourist activities which proceed in the latter.
The statistics of this organization indicate that during year 2007, a total of 736.743 people visited the various sectors placed under its jurisdiction, with in first position the park of Los Tres Ojos in Santo Domingo, with more than 120 thousand visitors. In second place is Estero Hondo in Montecristi, with 66.700 visitors. The third place more visited was the Cumayasa River and the Cave of Las Maravillas with 54 thousand people and then the Catalina Island and the sanctuary of the humpback whales in Samaná.
Hoy Digital, by Carmen Carvajal, 29.09.08
Sailing Club Las Terrenas
Las Ballenas Beach
The sailing school of Las Terrenas, « Sailing Club Las Terrenas » opened its doors a year ago.
After Playa Bonita, it is now located on the wonderful Las Ballenas beach, right before the Bonita Village Residence, and has 90 members.
Optimist from children who are 7 to 10 year-old, Laser as from 10 year-old, Catamaran as from 12 year-old, Windsurf from 7 to 12 year-old and Kite surfing assisted by Zodiac, the Sailing Club of Las Terrrenas proposes various navigation training courses, boats renting per day o per hour as well as excursions for everybody on board of a 21 feet trimaran.
Graduated monitors are in charge of all these activities.
If you want to lunch on the spot, a restaurant is at your disposal.
Information on the Website: http://www.lasterrenas-sailingclub.com/
Las Terrenas Live, by Sylvain MAUFRAIS, 30.09.08
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