NOVEMBER 2009

Domestic tourism in Las Terrenas

Promising weekends for the village

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Despite the current difficulties in the global economy, Las Terrenas has great strengths that enable it to attract visitors.

It is primarily domestic tourists, who frequent the village during the weekends, especially when they are long, as is the case of next at the occasion of the Dominican constitution day.

Adventurers of Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Francisco de Macoris and other cities, and take advantage of the many Bonche of the village.

Businessmen, politicians, artists are travelling with their families to relieve the stress, staying in residences, hotels or in their private villas.

And those who can not afford simply decide to spend the night in their cars after a good night of festivities.

In Las Terrenas, there’s something for everyone, regardless of the requirements or the economic position of the visitor.

For this weekend, the party was the one of Halloween, traditional United States, and which is here an opportunity for all communities to meet and have a good time.

This weekend, more than five parties were held in Las Terrenas, while the next weekend, long should still attract many people.

Las Terrenas Live, 02.11.09

Amhsa Marina seeks to attract tourists from Italy

New air route from Milan to Samaná

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, Antonio Herrera, has signed an exclusive agreement with the tour operator Un Altro Sole and the airline Blue Panorama, which will provide a new route from Milan, Italy, to Samaná, from this December 25^_th until April 08^th, 2010.

Mr. Herrera has signed the agreement during its participation in Tourism Fair TTG of Milan, one of the most important events in Europe for tourismm professionals.

As for the previous editions, the exhibition has welcomed hundreds of visitors, exhibitors and companies from over 50 countries.

The representative of the hotel chain has also met with the Italian operators in order to submit its bid to boost tourism and the arrival of Italian visitors to hotel chains Amhsa Marina, especially in Las Galeras and Grand Paradise Samaná.

With this participation Amhsa Marina reaffirms its commitment to promote not only hotels, but also the main tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic.

Las Terrenas Live, 04.11.09

Dominican Republic attracts Czechs tourists

MADI Travel Market International Fair in Prague

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Dominican Republic has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for Czechs.

The country will have the opportunity to promote itself during the International Fairl MADI Travel Market taking place in Prague.

Despite the global economic crisis, the number of Czech tourists who visited the Dominican Republic has increased by 5% this year compared to last year, thanks notably to the promotion strategy developed by the Office of Tourism Dominican Republic for the Central Eastern Europe.

This office, opened in Prague June 29, it is working to make the country a usual destination for the emerging market.

Leila Berque, director of the Office of Tourism of Dominican Republic in Prague, said that the tourist who comes to my country, find more fabulous beautiful beaches, leave with the warmth of the people, what is for me most important. The Dominican is very hospitable, cheerful, loves to dance… This human quality that people receive when they visit the nation is their fondest memory.

The Office of Tourism promotion is also present on a stand MADI International Exhibition, held at Letňany from Tuesday until Thursday, November 5.

For the occasion, the Dominican Republic is organizing a series of activities, including a tasting of Dominican cigars and rum.

The MADI Fair for its 16th edition became the largest meeting in the Czech Republic and Central Eastern Europe for the sector. In total, 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and more than 5,000 tourism industry professionals participate annually in this event.

Las Terrenas Live, 06.11.09

The candidates to Miss Las Terrenas receive tourism training

The final parade will be held at Hotel Palapa

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Participants in the beauty contest for categories Mini, Teen and Miss Las Terrenas in 2009 are currently being trained in tourism as part of their training.

The purpose of putting them in relation to tourism, the main national economic activity, is to prepare for possible travel to the finalists.

The information has been provided by Antonia Jean, director of the school models Elegancia, responsible for the event.

Candidates also learn to speak in public, with lessons by Maricela Mejia Ysabel Meier, deepen their general knowledge with Juan Peña, and also take dance classes.

Then, periodically, the girls also participate in workshops on HIV, teen pregnancy and self-esteem, with Marcia Valdez, representing the Presidential AIDS Council (Copresida).

In total, twenty girls from 5 to 23 are participating in the event, whose final parade will be held at the Hotel Palapa December 5 this year.

Las Terrenas Live, 06.11.09

An unforgettable weekend in Las Terrrenas

Concert for the beaches in Punta Popy

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The first national event aimed at raising awareness of the need to maintain the Dominican beaches free, accessible, in good condition and most natural possible, will be held Friday, November 6, the anniversary of the Constitution of the Dominican Republic on the beach Punta Popy Las Terrenas.

In addition to the concert which begins at sunset, a march will take place in swimsuits and placards with free beaches it’s not my constitution …

Walk for the beaches start leave behind the cemetery at 5pm, with music and will go down to Punta Popy, or start the concert at around 6pm.

Several beach games start before walking around the cemetery, as racing bags, a demonstration of kite surfing and building sand castles, among others.

The Concert for the Beaches is free and in addition to music; propose a fire, beach games and a variety of cultural presentations.

More than thirteen local and national artists will participate in the event.

Cristian Blades y Z, el Nene Sicario, Alex Rotwailer, El Esclavo Musical, Raulín, Ghetto Black El Desakato and other singers will represent different sectors of the village at the event organized by FINJOLAT.

Henya Tejeda, Giordano Morel, Dkano,poet and singer Rita Indiana, and other artists of Santo Domingo will sing for the voluntary audience.

The event also includes participation of groups dancing and singing Haitians, Ecuadorians, and U.S., to represent as foreigners who should attend the concert in great numbers.

The event is organized by Terracción, Front Independent Youth Las Terrenas (FINJOLAT) Sindicat of the Taxi Drivers Tourist Las Terrenas (SICHOTRATUTENA), New Kingdom Union of Fishermen of Las Terrenas, the Front of the Defenders of Las Terrenas, Pura Vida, Vida Azul Foundation, ToyJarto and a multitude of individuals and bodies, local and national.

Las Terrenas Live, 06.11.09

New TV channel in Las Terrenas

Samana Channel

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- A new television channel will soon be set up in Las Terrenas, a new and innovative media which has a great regional importance, and promises to be unique.

Samaná Channel will begin its activities at the end of this month, with documentaries, on Channel 2 of Tele Cable Las Terrenas.

According to director Emilio LOIZZO, the chain will not be in competition with other medias because it will talk about actual issues from different perspectives, and focus on the natural wealth of the area.

Among the immediate goals of the chain, according to Emilio, there is its projection across the North-East region from a very creative point of view, and presenting before all cultural, tourist, real estate and education topics of Nagua, Samaná, Sánchez and Las Terrenas.

Samaná Channel will place particular emphasis on Las Terrenas, since the village is a valuable tourism and real estate point for the country.

Las Terrenas Live, 12.11.09

The Tourism Minister thanked the Promotion of the Dominican Republic in London

World Travel Market

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- It’s in the room of the Churchill Hyatt Regency London, where the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and his wife Jeannie Hernández García, thanked the delegation which participated in the promotion of the Dominican Republic during the World Travel Market (WTM-2009).

Mr. Garcia thanked the contractors, officials of the Dominican State and the representatives of the media for supporting the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) in efforts for international promotion of the Dominican Republic.

Tourism is the economic flag of the Dominican Republic, which is why we must continue working so that our country continues to be the king of the Caribbean, although we must continue to transcend borders, continue to grow, said Mr. García.

The Minister also announced the opening this week of a new Tourism Promotion Office (OPT), in Vienna, and later there will be offices in Texas, Orlando, Boston, Atlanta and Las Vegas, USA.

If we can develop three or four destinations like Punta Cana, we are another country, and we will get there because we’re lucky, we have extraordinary natural wealth, and especially the Government’s intention to consolidate Dominican destination on the international market, he said.

For his part, Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), congratulated Mr. García Fernández and his team for the vision and the conscientiousness with which, she says, they run international promotion.

Similarly, Anibal de Castro, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, said that the Dominican Republic was more famous in England thanks to tourism and thanked Francisco Javier Garcia and wife Rainieri for their efforts, which continue to develop the tourism.

Las Terrenas Live, 16.11.09

Rita Indiana recorded her first album

In Las Terrenas

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Before his concert on Thursday 1^st of December at Hard Rock Cafe, Rita Indiana prepares for her first production conducted by Lázaro Colón.

The latter, who has worked for internationally renowned artists as David Bowie, John Bottle Trio, Juan Luis Guerra, and Olga Tanon, will use this experience to create a quality product, informed Rita.

The recording took place in Las Terrenas, Samaná, in a studio set up especially for the occasion in a colourful atmosphere, just as cheerful as the leader of Los Misterios.

In the disc, the singer of La Hora de volvé has included the song The Agarradera, reflecting the respect it brings to the legend of the Dominican Republic Johnny Ventura, who influenced her music.

Our fans will hear at Hard Rock Cafe a little of what Rita Indiana y Los Misterios have in their next production, as the melody of Johnny Ventura.

The disc will be released between December of this year and next February.

Las Terrenas Live, 17.11.09

The basketball tournament in Las Terrenas started

Dedicated to María de Jesús Arcenia

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The fourteenth basketball tournament of Las Terrenas 2009, organized by the local Sports Association (Asodelat) began last Thursday evening.

The event, which will run until mid-December, is supported by a team of collaborators who attended the inauguration ceremony on past Saturday.

Omar Anderson, president of Asodelat , informed that Porfirio Leonardo, as vice-president of the institution, was busy organizing the tournament involving the famous teams of Los King, Mulos, Bad Boys and Wes defending champion.

Similarly, Mr. Anderson highlighted the enthusiasm of Kelvin Morrobel, (Treasurer), Juan Carlos Evangelista, Rubén Hernández, and Kery Waskal, other members of the association.

Mr Anderson informed that the games will begin as usual at 08.00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while Sunday they start at 10am.

Las Terrenas Live, 18.11.09

A new tourist modality

The exchange of vacation properties

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The General Director of the Caribbean company RCI, Eugenio Macouzet said that the exchange of vacation properties was a flourishing trade in tourism, in addition to highlighting the fact that the company was interested in Dominican Republic for its tourism infrastructure and its position that enables it to export this modality to other countries in the region.

Mr. Macouzet said that the exchange of vacation properties is a tourism business that enables those who buy a property, affiliated to the system, to have the opportunity to travel and use any associated residence in the world simply by depositing the cost of the week.

According to the President of RCI, the new trend in tourism to own a full time condominium is no longer fully functional. Some studies show that vacation condominiums are occupied only 15% of the year, while they are empty 75% of the time.

This is a problem for both the owner who must maintain the house, and for the community, which does not receive money sin the store are not opened ofetn, so the company advises persons concerned so that they adapt their properties and be part of system.

It is already 4 years that RCI works in the country, with hotel chains such as Sol Melia and Occidental, and we have about 70 buildings that are part of the system of exchangeable properties.

Las Terrenas Live, 19.11.09

Exhibition of Israeli painter Ofir Hirsh dedicated to Las Terrenas

Memories of terrestrial paradise

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Embassy of Israel and the Occidental Hotel El Embajador opened the solo exhibition Recuerdos de un Paraíso Terrenal (Memories of a terrestrial paradise) by the painter Ofir Hirsh, which will run until the of 1st December2009, in the lobby of the hotel.

This exhibition includes 28 unpublished works dealing with different subjects and different formats, worked mainly in oil paint on canvas. The artist has produced over 700 works during the last 15 years, and loves to try different materials and carving in wood and clay.

The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps of the country, the Jewish and Israeli communities, Shalon Association, Dominican-Israeli Chamber of Commerce, and Cultural and Academic Authorities.

Amos Radian, Israeli Ambassador, said Our goal with this type of cultural events is to show the different faces of Israeli culture, because through the culture, there is a direct contact with the people, the objective is to create links that persist over time, thereby strengthening our relations with the Dominican Republic.

For its part, the painter Ofir Hirsh said The paintings selected for this exhibition are some of my memories of this paradise called Las Terrenas. This exhibition is my way of saying thank you.

In his speech, Mr. Hirsh said that Las Terrenas Samaná is an area filled with art works of God, virgin beaches, rivers, jungles and mountains. Hundreds of shades of blue and thousands of green, and a magical feeling in the air that can not be explained with words, so I tried to draw, to pass it on my paintings. My desire with this exhibition is that my emotions and joy of painting can be felt by the observers.

Las Terrenas Live, 20.11.09

Mar y Sol 10

1^st environmental race of 10 kilometres

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The sea, sun, coconut palms and the hospitality of Las Terrenas will be the starting point of the first 10km race scheduled for February 20^th, 2010.

Aimed to environmental preservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the race was called Mar y Sol 10 by the organizers.

According to Nicolas Cahen and José Bourget the event is supported by the Independent Youth Front of Las Terrenas (FINJOLAT) and the Sportive League of Las Terrenas (La Liga).

Mar y Sol 10 will depart from Punta Popy towards the village, passing in front of the cemetery and the police, will continue to the El Carmen Street towards the intersection of Duarte Street and El Carmen Street, then joining again the cemetery and turn right onto El Portillo, turning back at the entrance of the airport and back to Punta Popy where the finish line is.

The chosen categories are: adult male, adult female, junior men and junior women, with three prizes for each category. It is possible to attend the event by running or walking, with similar prices in each type of race.

During the next few days, the organizers propose to businesses and individuals wishing to attend the event to contact them by calling 809-371-0986 or by e-mail josebourget@gmail.com.

Mar y Sol 10 will highlight the importance of natural resources in the area, with particular emphasis on the value of community development and education of youth and community in general.

The race Mar y Sol 10 is open to all people of the country and abroad, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, political, religious or sexual orientation, social or economic levels.

Las Terrenas Live, 24.11.09

The crisis has not affected the tourism investment

Real Estate projects continue to grow

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Unlike what happened in other countries competing with the Dominican Republic, investment in tourism continues to increase in real estate projects.

This was said by Juan Bancalari, President of the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI).

He explained that the strength was due to the position of the national bank in times of financial crisis and lower interests. This has led to the creation of new residential facilities on the various tourist attractions in the country.

The financial sector has played a leading role in reviving the tourism real estate sector, said the hotel businessman.

Mr. Banclari did not cite numbers. Previously, the Minister of Tourism announced that since the beginning of the year (until October 30th), the Tourist Development Council had approved 44 projects listed for 7.938 $ million dollars, which included 54.725 extra hotel rooms and complementary offerings.

Mr. Banclari said that the tourists who invested in real estate projects and luxury tourism residence were part of the country through the company they created.

Typically, this type of visitor travels more than twice a year to Dominican Republic, and brings with him his family and friends, and then perhaps once investors.

Las Terrenas Live, 25.11.09

Enjoy the proximity to Santo Domingo

Entertain yourself in the Dominican capital with Santo Domingo Live

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- With the road Juan Pablo II, Las Terrenas is closer than ever to Santo Domingo. The first to take advantage of this proximity are the inhabitants of the capital, taking advantage of weekends to enjoy the crystal clear waters, sun and beauty of Las Terrenas.

But the residents of Las Terrenas can also see from the first city founded in America, and enjoy the amazing historical and cultural richness, its colours, its excitement, merengue melodies and its inhabitants.

To guide you in your getaway to the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo, offers you the program of the National Theatre Eduardo Brito, with a variety of cultural presentations for the whole family.

For those who prefer movies, Santo Domingo also informs you of the first week and movies offered daily in various cinemas in the Dominican capital.
Without forgetting the agenda, with the best events, concerts and festivals in Santo Domingo.

Las Terrenas Live, 30.11.09