Las Terrenas Live
MARCH 2009
A bet on tourism of private aviation
Inauguration of the tower of control of Portillo
BREAKING NEWS: José Tomás Pérez, managing director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) supports that tourism of private aviation becomes a reality in Dominican Republic and forecasts that it will generate great resources.
The civil servant based this on the fact that a few years ago, any private aircraft arrive to the airports of the country to make tourism or to invest, but that during the two last years, this situation changed and that they already received within the last year an average of two visits of members of aero clubs of the United States and of Puerto Rico.
The private civil aviation was almost non-existent in the country. We could note that in the Bahamas and in other Caribbean islands approximately 60 thousand private aircrafts made tourism while here, only some of them were coming
, underlined Pérez.
He declared that the institution worked to offer better conditions to the foreign investors who wish to make high level tourism in the country.
Something which helped to the recent growth of tourism of private aviation in the country is the fact that no tax is perceived for the private aircrafts
he specified.
The secretary of State made his statements at the time of the inauguration of the Tower of Control and of the Air Terminal of the aerodrome of Portillo, in Samaná and congratulated the initiative of Ramón Prieto, president of the Promoters of the Development Portillo S.A for his visionary attitude.
Las Terrenas Live, 02.03.09
Carnival of Las Terrenas 2009
A colored and happy parade
BREAKING NEWS: LAS TERRENAS.- The past Friday, February 27th, day of the Dominican Independence, was the day of Carnival of Las Terrenas too.
Whereas during the morning, the inhabitants and the tourists were able to watch the parade of the different schools of the municipality, accompanied with the cheerleaders of the Batton Ballet
, during the afternoon, dozens of kids, young boy and girls as well as adults invaded the streets to share the carnival joy.
The typical costumes, the party makeup and the clothes of those who, even if not dressed up, happily accompanied the parade, gave to the streets a colored look.
This week, you will be able to see all the pictures of the Las Terrenas Carnival 2009 in our special page.
To see all the parade pictures, click here…
Las Terrenas Live, 03.03.09
The arrival of tourists recorded a low growth of 0.4%
853 million dollars invested in the Province of Samaná
BREAKING NEWS: The Secretariat of Tourism carried out only 57.4% of its budget of last year, during which the arrival of foreigners and of Dominicans from abroad reached a joint growth of 0.4%, reveal the reports of this institution.
The document explains that the hotel occupation for this period was of 70.6% whereas it was of 72.20% during the previous year.
The highest rates were recorded in the areas of Punta Cana-Bávaro with 77.7%, La Romana-Bayahíbe, 75.3% and Boca Chica-Juan Dolio, 65.4%.
The approved budget was of 978.8 million pesos, but the governmental office, at last November 30, had only spent the sum of 561.9 million, which is equivalent to 57.4% of the totality.
During the year 2008, 1.267 new hotel rooms were put in function, without counting those which were restored, which gives a national inventory of 66.165 units.
Investments
During the year 2008, projects for 15 billion 696.9 million dollars were presented, from this sum, 9 billion 272.8 million were invested in the province of La Altagracia, which is equivalent to 63%, in San Pedro de Macorís, it acted of 1 billion 617 million, in Samaná, 856.3 million and in La Romana 713.7 million.
Las Terrenas Live, 06.03.09
Basic problems in Las Terrenas confronted with the indifference of the state
The tourist community claims actions and not promises
BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas, Samaná.- To be one of the best tourist places of the country is not sufficient to have the necessary attention of the authorities for the commune of Las Terrenas, where the deterioration of the principal access ways, the lack of educational offers, of drinking water, of cleansing and of basic infrastructures are the main obstacles to its development.
The road Sánchez - Las Terrenas is deteriorated over approximately 20 kilometers. With enormous holes and the loss of the asphalt layers, the traffic on this way became very dangerous, especially because it is a mountainous road bordered of chasms. Drivers of public and private transport complain because of the lack of interest of the authorities to solve this problem which, they ensured, lasts for several years. Moreover, many streets of the commune are deteriorated.
Cleansing and drinking water
Another problem is the collection of the refuse which is not ensured in a regular way, thus creating an accumulation of waste in the streets.
Moreover, there is also the overflow of the Rio Caño Seco which crosses the center of the commune and which flows on the beach, carrying with it all type of waste including dead animals. During the rains, the problem increases, by affecting the close trade and residences. According to Mario Rodriguez, owner of the restaurant El Cayuco, because of that, the beach is contaminated and the coral reef died.
Regarding the drinking water, a lot of residences and trade are supplied through underground wells, dug by private initiative, but the latter must pay 4.500 pesos per month for their exploitation to the National institute of Drinking Water and Sewers (INAPA).
Another of the quoted problems is the lack of material in the municipal hospital to provide medical cares in case of emergency. The people must go in private centers.
Moreover, on the beach zone of Las Terrenas, there are no public toilets, neither benches, nor paths which would facilitate the use of this beautiful seaside resort.
And one of the main issues of Las Terrenas is the lack of educational offer related to the tourism.
It does not exist in the commune a school for learning a foreign language, the people must go elsewhere or to have recourse to the private services. There is no center with courses of hotel trade.
The city does not have cinemas, clubs or theatres. On the contrary, the centers of entertainment where alcohol is sold proliferate…
Las Terrenas Live – Hoy Digital, 09.03.09
International Tourism Fair in Berlin
The Dominican Republic exhibits its wealth
BREAKING NEWS: The Dominican Republic will send a delegation to the new edition of the International Tourism Fair (ITB-2009), which will begin this Wednesday in Berlin, announced the Secretariat of Tourism.
30 hotel companies and tour operator agencies as well as organizations of the Dominican Government will present their offers on two spaces which will be managed by the Tourism Secretariat (Sectur).
They will be accompanied by directors, editors, commentators, TV producers and journalists in economy and tourism.
The group will be directed by the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier García, and will be composed by Petra Cruz, director of the Office of Tourist Promotion in Germany and supervisor of Promotion for Europe.
The Dominican Republic will take the opportunity of the event to delight the collaborators of the Tourist Fair and will deploy its cultural wealth with the Folk Ballet of the Secretariat of Tourism, demonstrations of craftsmen and manufacturers of cigars.
One day after the grand opening of the ITB, the minister Javier García will offer « The Dominican Night », a show to which were invited the main actors of the sector of tourism of Germany and Dominican Republic.
The collaborators will be able to enjoy the gastronomy and the culture of the country with a menu of the Creole chef Esperanza Lithgow.
The artistic part will be presented by Ileana Reynoso, the orchestra of the Master Víctor Taveras and the Folk Ballet of Sectur.
Las Terrenas Live, 10.03.09
Alliance of the private and public sectors
Committee of Reactivation of Tourism
BREAKING NEWS: The general secretary of the Worldwide Organization of Tourism (OMT), expressed that it was necessary that the worldwide public and private sectors work together for tourism, after having considered that it would be an alternative to protect tourism in front of the world economic crisis.
Taleb Rifai declared that the economic crisis imposed solidarity
between the public and the private sectors, in the countries whose economy was supported by the tourist sector.
At the time of the opening speech of the International Tourism Fair in Berlin (ITB 2009), Rifai said that the OMT prepared a road map and a Committee of Reactivation of Tourism, in order to take all the necessary measures for the sector in this time of world economic crisis.
He explained that this committee would sit during the development of the ITB, would make an evaluation of the situation and would develop strategies which protect world tourist work.
Rifai underlined that it was necessary that the countries having tourist potentials follow the road map designed by the OMT, which analyzes the statistics of the arrival of the tourists in 2009 and the prospects for this year.
He called upon the nations so that they take all possible measures to protect the tourist infrastructures, as well as the workforce which intervenes in this sector of the worldwide economy.
He indicated that it was necessary that the tourist destinations challenge their structures and, especially, that they include elements of innovation to awake the interest of the visitors.
Taleb considers that it is necessary that the nations benefit from the modernity of technology and the communications, to widely diffuse their attractions and their offers.
In the same way, he considers that the countries with tourist potentials must invest in the promotion of their destination, after having indicated that this action would be successful.
During this edition of ITB 2009, the Dominican Republic will expose its splendor on a market where its positions as favorite country in the offers of the Caribbean.
Las Terrenas Live, 12.03.09
Portillo Beach Club & Spa Project
Visit of foreign investors
BREAKING NEWS: Foreign investors coming from Puerto Rico visited the tourist real estate Portillo Beach Club & Spa project, interested in knowing more details on this infrastructure in construction in the tourist pole of Las Terrenas.
The group was received by Ramón Prieto in the installations of El Portillo airport, property of this project, promoting the facilities that Portillo Beach Club & Spa will have.
Investors, pertaining to the Aero club of Puerto Rico, arrived on board of 12 planes, during one Fly-In programmed to promote initiatives which call upon high level tourism, result of the new facilities granted by the Dominican government for the small private aircrafts, this belonging to a new policy of tourist promotion.
It is the second aero club which is received by Portillo Beach Club & Spa in one month, after having accommodated the Club Carribean Flying Adventure
coming from the United States, which had also visited the country with the intention to invest in units of residences of this new real estate project.
Ramón Prieto, President of Portillo Beach Club & Spa, also shown to the investors the advances of the work and provided new details relating to this ambitious project.
During more than 30 years, I saw the growth of this zone. As a company of development, we worked on a respectful concept of the environment and of nature and we waited and betted on sustainable, ecological tourism of low density. In less than one year, we sold more than 50% of the project.
Portillo Beach Club & Spa is a tourist real development project conceived for a high level market, which will have 155 apartments with more than 300 meters of beach front, a beach club, a ranch, an airport, and which will operate under the concept of exclusive condo-hotel of high-quality.
It is located on a splendid zone of white sand beaches and turquoise water, on the Northern coast of the Peninsula of Samaná, in Las Terrenas.
The project is conceived around the existing natural resources, by respecting the vegetation and the environment for thus meeting the requirements of exclusive tourism.
This project of Dominican capital is managed by the Promoters Development Company Portillo S.A, which chose the best international companies of urban design and of engineering like EDSA, in charge of the design of the master plan, an international company having its seat in Florida, recognized universally and Coastal Systems International, an American company specialist in the design and engineering in lagoons.
This project having required an investment of 50 million dollars will generate 400 direct employments in the zone of Samaná.
Las Terrenas Live, 16.03.09
Dominican Republic: A multi destination country
« Lo tiene todo »
BREAKING NEWS: BERLIN. - The promotional slogan of the Dominican Republic to be sold as tourist destination on a world level is: Lo tiene todo
(it has it all) and it could be seen on the stands of the country to the ITB Berlin 2009 tourist fair, during which the Dominican nation is exhibited as a multi destination.
Bahía Principe Company presented in a modern promotional infrastructure the assets of the tourist pole of Samaná in the north-eastern zone of the Dominican Republic.
The Occidental Hotels chain also presented a particular stand of direct promotion of its installations in Dominican Republic, present in several zones of the country.
New hotel projects installed yet in the country benefited from the ITB Berlin to place stands of promotion announcing their next opening in Dominican Republic.
Various destinations
The Dominican Republic is more than a tourist destination; it is a combination of sun and beaches, mountains, rivers, of more than 20 golf courses, the first Town of America with colonial monuments from the time of the discovery, coastal areas among the best of the world for the « windsurfing » and of adequate infrastructures.
All these attributes are shown in the promotional video of the Dominican Republic presented at the time of ITB Berlin and which obtained the second place among the best of the fair to which participated 180 countries.
República Dominicana lo tiene todo
presented a stand of the diversity of the destinations which obtained advantages on its competitors of Central America and of the Caribbean.
Mexico, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico, Barbados, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Bermuda and Cuba in the Caribbean, as well as Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama, in Central America, belong to the competitors of the Dominican Republic in the area.
However, the Dominicans have the leadership as for the quantity of received visitors every year and the authorities of the Secretariat of Tourism are not ready to let this market.
It is one of the reasons for which the country was presented as multi destination in the area of the Caribbean.
Las Terrenas Live, 18.03.09
Repair of the sidewalks of Las Terrenas
Improvement of the circulation of the pedestrians
BREAKING NEWS : LAS TERRENAS.- Since the beginning of the week, and as promised, the authorities of the Town council of Las Terrenas are working on the repair of the sidewalks of the Duarte Street of Las Terrenas.
After the asphalting of the roads and the improvement of the traffic, this work will allow the tourists and the inhabitants of Las Terrenas to move more easily through the village, on regular and without holes pavements.
The work began this Monday March 16 and continued throughout the week.
This Thursday, they are working on the sidewalks located at the top of the village before the intersection of the Carmen and Duarte Streets.
The work of these pedestrian zones should continue until the most deteriorated sidewalks are repaired.
Las Terrenas Live, 19.03.09
« Surf de Primavera Las Terrenas 2009 »
Playa Cosón
BREAKING NEWS: The province of Samaná is preparing the celebration of its event of aquatic sport « Surf de Primavera Las Terrenas 2009 » which will take place on Cosón Beach of Las Terrenas on April 25 and 26, 2009 from 8:30 a.m to 03.30 p.m.
Competitors coming from all the country will take part in this event: Santo Domingo, Bahoruco-Barahona, Boca Chica, Nagua, Cabrera, Río San Juan, Cabarete, Sosúa, Puerto Plata as well as the inhabitants of Las Terrenas who will welcome all the national surfers.
The Cosón beach of Las Terrenas is a unique scene in Dominican Republic for the realization of this event, by the exuberance of its beach and its wild and intact nature.
It will be the first time that a contest will take place in this paradisiacal place.
The quality and the coherence of its waves makes of it a « Premium » beach for the surfing practice.
It is also important to underline the support of the authorities of Las Terrenas as well as this of the tourist, commercial and industrialist employers for this great event.
« Surf de Primavera Las Terrenas 2009 » will be the meeting of the young Dominican surfers who will give a fabulous spectacle to the general population of the province.
There will be live comments of the exercises of the athletes, music and a festive atmosphere with friendship during these two days.
The purpose of this activity is to support and to contribute to develop the culture of surfing as important aquatic sport in the province of Samaná.
Everybody is invited, we are waiting for you ! ! ! !
Dominican Federation of Surf, Las Terrenas Live, 23.03.09
Registering all the foreigners
Pilot plan in Las Terrenas
BREAKING NEWS: Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda announced on Saturday that a pilot plan will be launched in Las Terrenas, Cabarete, Boca Chica and border towns with Haiti to digitalize biometric details of all foreigners in the DR, regardless of whether they are in the country legally or illegally.
Almeyda says one of the objectives is to protect foreigners’ identity, whether or not they have ID documents. He said that they would be recording biometrical data in order to have a registry of people who have entered regardless whether they have done so legally or illegally. All foreigners arriving by sea, land or air will be documented with the registration of data on their foreign identity papers.
The project is being run by the National Migration Council (CNM) with the collaboration of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) Administrative Chamber. The units used for issuing drivers’ licenses will be used for this program.
As reported in Listin Diario, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is backing the project, on the grounds that it will facilitate the control of migration flows through the border and will help restrict the entry of criminals into the country.
He also says it addresses the government’s need to count immigrants. Francisco Leonardo, speaking for the JRS, says it is a step forward towards regulating migration in the context of migrant workers’ rights. He said that once they are identified, it would reduce the job insecurity they experience when contracted for farm or construction work.
The project aims to register the biometric data of all foreigners who enter the DR, no matter how long they will be staying. Listin Diario establishes that the number assigned to the foreigner does not determine their status and is merely for identification purposes.
Meanwhile, some 1.5 million Dominicans have already registered their biometric data, but the process has been delayed by a conflict with SOMO, the company that was originally contracted for the job.
DR1, 25.03.09
Haydee Kuret: Dominican hoteliers need tax break to compete
The country has 66,000 hotel rooms
BREAKING NEWS: National Hotels and Restaurants Association (Asonahores) president Haydée Kuret yesterday said to be able to compete, the Dominican tourism industry requires a tax regime as services exporter.
She said the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts the sector’s recovery from the crisis in 2011, with income of more than US $8 billion for the country in 2019.
She said in 2008 the country received 3.4 million tourists, who spent more than US $4 billion, and related activity generated 14% of the Gross Domestic Product, 20% of the investments, 13% of the jobs and 18% of the exports.
The tourism leader, speaking in the American Chamber of Commerce, said the country has 66,000 hotel rooms, 15,000 more than in 2000; a 37.5% increase aside from the thousand of villas and apartments in real estate tourism projects.
Kuret said the development of the country’s tourism potential in the next 10 years is an opportunity to create a market that demands twice as much farm and industrial products, to create 100,000 jobs and incorporate unproductive areas to development.
Dominican Today, 26.03.09
Las Terrenas under full development
The new Dominican tourist pole
BREAKING NEWS: With the construction of the Atlantic Boulevard, Las Terrenas ensures a potential development of its tourist infrastructures in an immediate future.
In fact, the zone shows already a force reflected in the diversity of the projects which are carried out or about to be it.
With three airports in the neighborhoods, beaches without equal and duly asphalted streets, the conditions were created to support the rise of the village as new Dominican tourist pole.
The Spanish investors fixed in a preferential way their attention on the extraordinary advantages of Las Terrenas and at the time of the recent FITUR fair in Madrid, they requested to improve the environment of the place.
The Secretariat of Tourism assumed the asphalting of the streets and promised to work on the general fitting out.
It is hoped that the Atlantic Boulevard, which will make a ring road along the splendid littorals, will thus make it possible to tend towards a greater development of the tourist projects.
For the moment, the infrastructure which develops in the most obvious way is the project of the Balcones del Atllantico of the Bisonó Group, which combines the highest standards of design, environment and quality which mark the tendency towards a progression of the category of the hotels, resorts and real estate projects.
This project employs approximately 700 workers who support, with their wages, the economic dynamic of the village.
This added to the fact that one invested 250 million dollars of Dominican capital, is the obvious evidence that Las Terrenas has a promising future.
Las Terrenas Live, 30.03.09
The Ministry of Labor is strengthened to face the crisis
Operational centers for information collection
BREAKING NEWS: Max Puig, Minister of Labor, announced the setting of 16 territorial employment offices in the whole country and the realization of various studies of the Dominican job market.
Puig said that these employment offices will be the operational centers for the compilation of information, the mediation and the orientation, for the coordination of the efforts with the various local actors.
The civil servant explained that they will be located in the communes of East, North and West Santo Domingo, in Santiago, La Vega, Puerto Plata and San Francisco de Macorís.
As well asin Higuey, Bávaro, Azua, La Romana, San Cristóbal, Valverde, San Juan and Barahona.
In the same way, we will install four « kiosks » of employment in the communes of Las Terrenas, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata and Bonao
.
Puig ensured that with this service, plans could be conceived and political actions carried out in an active way adapted to the needs and the characteristics of each locality.
The Minister of Labor also informed of the realization of various studies of the Dominican job market, which include an analysis of employer’s establishments (2006-2007) and an action plan; action to face the problems of unemployment.
These studies will be carried out by the Observatory of Dominican Labor. (OMLAD).
Las Terrenas Live, 31.03.09
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