OCTOBER 2009

The Dominican Republic occupies more space on the tourist market of France

The participation of the Dominican Republic at the International French Travel Market TOP RESA 2009 is a success

BREAKING NEWS : The Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said he was very pleased with the participation of the Dominican Republic at the International French Travel Market (IFTM / TOP RESA 2009).

Thanks to this show, the major airlines, tour operators and travel agencies have once again put their eyes on the Dominican Republic.

Francisco Javier Garcia said that the major airlines that travel to the Dominican Republic will increase the frequency of their flights from next winter, from 20 to 26 flights to different areas of the country.

He stressed that with the participation in Top Resa 2009, the main objectives had been achieved.

It was a very important event for us, because agreements with tour operators were renewed, as well as collaboration agreements with different airlines.

The Minister also announced the creation of new advertising campaigns for the French market, the first beginning in November.
This should be broadcast in over 415 cinemas throughout France, including Paris, to promote the Dominican Republic.

We heard the French companies telling us that the Dominican Republic was the destination of long distance had the greatest strength to confront the crisis, and we received many congratulations said Mr Garcia.

García Fernández explained that at the Top Resa-2009, the Dominican Republic increased its presence with a stand of 200 meters.

We reviewed the stand design and promotion outside the booth in the entire show has been intensified.

Las Terrenas Live, 02.10.09

The Minister of Tourism organized a dinner in the French restaurant Fouquet’s

In honour of the Dominican delegation in Top Resa-2009

BREAKING NEWS : The Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and his wife Jeannie Hernández García hosted a dinner inhonorof the Dominican delegation that participated in the XXI edition of the International French Travel Market (IFTM / TOP RESA 2009), in one of the most famous restaurants Paris.

The meeting took place in the restaurant Fouquet’s of Paris, not far from the Champs Elysée of the historic city.

The guests enjoyed French cuisine, with an entry of Norwegian smoked salmon, Raifort cream and blinis. The main course consisted of veal with curry, mashed goat cheese and fresh seasonal vegetables. And the desert was a MillefeuillesTradition.

The wines served at dinner are Chablis and Château Saint Martin de Seguin, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

The meeting allowed the guests to share their experiences in the French capital, alongside the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and his wife Jeannie Hernández García.

Attended the dinner, Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, Thelma Martínez, José Gabriel Rodríguez and his wife Ana Busto de Rodríguez, Manuel Castillo, Leticia Rivera Castillo, Carlos José Martí and Lupe Ramos Martí, Fernando Lama and Iranna Canaan Lama, José Ramón Fadul Fadul and Maritza de Juan de los Santos and Berlenise Franco De los Santos, and Ernesto Veloz Veloz of Ivelisse, Bienvenido Perez, Arturo Villanueva and Susana Villanueva; Odé and Cristhian Jimenez of Jimenez, as well as Polibio Schiffino.

In addition, Manuel Quiterio Cedeño and Elizabeth Perez de Cedeño, Orion and Iris Mejia Castillo de Mejia, Juan Ramón Gómez Díaz and Alismerlyn Custodio; Persio Maldonado and Cosette Filiberto Bonnelly Maldonado, Sabrina Brugal, Domingo del Pilar, Isabel Vásquez, Giselle Diaz, Candida Acosta, Leonora Ramírez, Alberto Cabrera, Eileen Glass, Jimmy Plasencia, Jose Javier, Abinader Fortunato Manuel Nova, Jose Rafael Sosa, Edgar Lantigua, Ramón Alcántara Sterling, Sarah Rodriguez, Feligno Peguero, Davis Tineo and Rossanna Figueroa.

Las Terrenas Live, 02.10.09

The Ministry of Tourism promotes ecotourism

In the National Park Los Haitises

BREAKING NEWS : The Tourism Ministry has begun a campaign to promote ecotourism destination of Los Haitises National Park, as part of its policy of sustainable tourism development.

The announcement was made by Manuel Pacheco, Director of Investment Department, at the occasion of the opening of the V Maritime Festival of Sabana de la Mar 2009.

Pacheco said that Los Haitises Park was one of the ecotourtism major attractions of the country because it had the greatest biodiversity in the Caribbean.

He also said that 60% of Los Haitises Park were part of Sabana de la Mar

This is the Fifth Maritime Festival including the main event is the path to swim in the Bay of Samaná, with the participation of 60 swimmers Dominican, Puerto Rican and Spanish and is a national competition. This year we are welcoming swimmers from other countries, which means that we can organize national games, he said.

He explained that the points of the winners will be accumulated in order to participate in the Pan American Games or other competitions of swimming in open water.

Las Terrenas Live, 06.10.09

The Dominican Government is focusing on expansion of tourism

Development of tourist attractions

BREAKING NEWS : Current projects of President Leonel Fernández on tourism, are really stimulating the sector.

As a part of its government program, the president plans to generate over 5,000 millions in tourism incomes by year, and increase of 170 000 the numbers of visitors per year, in order to add 200 millions dollars per year.

In this sense, Leonel Fernández seeks to expand the supply of hotels with 3,000 new rooms per year and an investment exceeding 420 million dollars to build new hotels or expand existing ones.

Similarly, the Government, with investments of the Executive Committee of Infrastructure in Tourist Zones (Ceiztur), develops tourist zones of the country.

Not to mention the construction of major infrastructure such as tourist corridor Moncion-Janico-Jarabacoa-Constanza-Ocoa, or the Boulevard Tourist Atlantic, which will boost the tourism in the Samaná Peninsula.

Las Terrenas Live, 08.10.09

First Terra Forum at the Library Anacaona

Meeting on pollution of the Río Caño Seco

BREAKING NEWS: Representatives from different sectors of Las Terrenas, eager to contribute to the development of the municipality, have made an appointment last week at the library Anacaona, to discuss topics of general interest.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting which lasted about 2h00, the problem of pollution of the Río Caño Seco was the most mentioned.
Attendees rated the causes of poor water circulation in the village, which ends in the sea and pollutes it.

At the meeting directed by José Bourget, the guests also discussed the reasons that drove people from the banks of the river to throw their garbage in it, and have highlighted the lack of population information.

However, Hervé Brousset acknowledged that setting up small posters or signs on the various strategic points of the village had significantly reduced the number of garbage dumped into the sea.

Pedro Catrain, Isaac Constant and his wife Margaret Liekembruker, Esteban Lalic, Cesar Mieses and Deputy Director of Public School Las Terrenas, Angelita Kery, were also present at this meeting

Las Terrenas Live, 08.10.09

Etno Mix First Edition Las Terrenas 2009

From october 9 to october 11, 2009

BREAKING NEWS: The first edition of the Multicultural Fair Etnomix begins this Friday October 09 07.00pm.

Las Terrenas Live offers you the program de las actividades de ETNO MIX 2009 : 

See our Agenda for more informations…

Las Terrenas Live, 09.10.09

President Fernandez talks about Dominican beach access

They will always be in the public domain

BREAKING NEWS: President Leonel Fernández said the Dominican beaches will always be in the public domain and will be accessible to all citizens.

The President explained that the beach access was not restricted in any way, and that what was intended was to enforce private law in the field of public beaches.

The Act, the Constitution will always have different interpretations, but what we want is to guarantee the rights of Dominicans as never before, in establishing jurisdiction in which it will be possible to claim the exercise of these rights, said Leonel Fernández.

He also said that any proposed constitutional reform anywhere in the world was a democratic act, with a plurality of strength and diversity of people who must speak without causing antipathy.

It’s good that this happens this way, because I know how democracy works, the worst there would be a sort of apathy, a kind of indifference, it would worry us, because that would mean that Dominicans have lost their critical faculties, said the President.

I think the majority of Dominican seems to agree with this reform. There is a minority who expresses a contrary view; all the better, it strengthens Dominican democracy, said Leonel Fernández.

Las Terrenas Live, 13.10.09

New Chief of Police in Las Terrenas

Elvis Bello Almonte

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Elvis Bello Almonte is since Monday 05 October, the new commandant of the National Police of the municipality of Las Terrenas.

Aged 46, the young officer is the third Chief of Police in Las Terrenas in less than a year.

The commander, son of General Rocha Bello and brother of two Colonels of the National Police, has requested the support of the community, which he says he deserves, to best exercised its function and achieve good results during its second passage in Las Terrenas.

He will take the position that lieutenant-colonel Escolástico Eusebio Acosta has held for more than 22 months, and replace the officer Julio Hernandez Melo who only stayed a month.

Almonte Bello promised that during his second visit to Las Terrenas (he had already come in 2002) he will do everything possible to ensure the safety of all people, including foreigners.

He said he will focus particularly on the fight against criminals and drug trafficking in the area..

Las Terrenas Live, 13.10.09

See pictures of Etno Mix 2009

Etno Mix Las Terrenas 2009

A successful event

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- This weekend, was held in Punta Popy the first edition of the Multicultural Fair Etno Mix 2009, organized by the Independent Youth Front of Las Terrenas (FINJOLAT).

The event received support from various entities and local and foreign communities that live in this tourist village.
Throughout the weekend, the Punta Popy turned into a cultural centre, where stands representing the different nationalities in Las Terrenas were placed.

The Cubans have regaled the audience with their famous Mojito, while Spanish were offering delicious tapas and paella. The Swiss where there too, with their Raclette, near the French and Italians, for whom it was possible to taste the pasta and pizza.

Then there were the Americans and their burgers and tasty cookies, which in addition to the food offered a variety of cultural books.

The Dominican House was maybe the prettiest, and certainly the most typical, with its beautiful structure in Yagua and  Penca .

The Haitian stand on his side was the busiest, and offered the traditional art and painting gallery.

The public could attend performances on Friday evening with the presence among others, of the group of carnival from La Vega (Las Fieras) the Palogroup of Las Terrenas, and the dance group Los Feos.

Also present was the Bambula folk ballet, representing the typical dance of Samaná, and the show ended with beautiful fireworks.

The day the Punta Popy was the place of meeting for all athletes, with sailing and cayuco races, tournaments of beach volleyball and kite-surf.

Las Terrenas Live congratulates the Independent Front Youth of Las Terrenas (FINJOLAT) for organizing this event, which, despite some drawbacks, has been successful.

Las Terrenas Live, 15.10.09

The Deputy Minister of Tourism praised Etno Mix

Elsa de Leon asks FINJOLAT to organize the carnival and the Fiestas Patronales

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Deputy Minister of Tourism in Las Terrenas, Elsa de León, has publicly called for the youth FINJOLAT to assume responsibility for organizing the Carnival and Fiestas Patronales in the village.

Elsa de Leon said that the educational and cultural events helped to promote tourism.

She also thanked the organizers of the ETNO MIX event to have met for three days most nationalities that have an influence on the local economy.

Since the beginning of her administration, De Leon has expressed support for the promotion of values and pride of the Province in order to have more tourist attractions, which she believes are very important for tourism this time.

The official also asked the City of Las Terrenas to assign the organization of Fiestas Patronales and carnival FINJOLAT in order to obtain better results.
Finally, Ms. De Leon has been very satisfied with the presentation of dance native province, Bambula on the scene of ETNO MIX 2009.

Las Terrenas Live, 19.10.09

Viva Residence celebrates its affiliation with The Registry Collection

Exchange of luxury properties

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Viva Residence agreed a strategic alliance with the firm The Registry Collection, known internationally for being the only company dedicated to the exchange of luxury properties.

This agreement will, when executed, enable the project for the owners of the Viva Residence Las Terrenas in Coson so they can exchange holidays with owners of holiday homes in the same category of the tourist destinations that are really popular.

The agreement was signed by Rafael Blanco Canto, Vice-Chairman of Viva Resorts, and Eugenio Macouzet, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Caribbean of The Registry Collection. Mr Blanco said that he was very confident about the success of this alliance, after explaining that Samaná was the new main destination country.

The properties associated with The Registry Collection offer the Viva Residence at Las Terrenas a variety of options for entertainment during the holidays and time chosen by the customer.

The Registry Collection has 35.000 members worldwide and 130 affiliated properties in 25 countries including the United States, Mexico, South Africa and Europe.

To this alliance, The Registry Collection is working with a team of professionals of Viva Resorts, a company of a 20 years experience in developing tourist resort setting.

Viva Residence Las Terrenas has 76 apartments and villas, designed by the famous architect Antonio Segundo Imbert.

Las Terrenas Live, 21.10.09

Tourism stimulates the economy

The locomotive of the Dominican economy

BREAKING NEWS: The Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said that the tourism industry continues to consolidate its role as the locomotive of the Dominican economy, particularly through policies developed by the Ministry of Tourism and supported by the private sector.

Mr. Garcia explained that the Tourism Ministry had applied simultaneously, the four pillars that define its political work: attract new investment, strengthen and expand existing domestic destinations, promote sustainable tourism, and maintain harmony and collaboration between industry members.

Moreover, he added that the Government was interested in the full development of these strategies, given that tourism is the sector that brings most currencies in the country.
The Minister said that a rehabilitation program of tourist sites was being developed.

The renovated areas feature new routes and constant monitoring to ensure visitor safety.
Achieving the goals has materialized on the basis of a climate of harmony and cooperation among official authorities, hoteliers, investors and tour operators said Mr Garcia.

Las Terrenas Live, 21.10.09

White Airways will conduct a special flight

At the International Airport Juan Bosch El Catey Samaná

BREAKING NEWS: The Airlines White Airways will conduct a special flight Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the International Airport Juan Bosch, El Catey Samaná, from Lisbon, Portugal to Montego Bay in Jamaica. For more details, see the flight schedule on the Juan Bosch International Airport El Catey Samaná.

Las Terrenas Live, 23.10.09

Miss Las Terrenas 2009

Official Presentation of candidates Friday, October 30

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The models school La Elegancia is organizing the beauty contest Miss Las Terrenas 2009.

The event is divided into three categories: Miss, Teen, and Mini.

The official presentation to the press and general public will be held Friday, October 30, 2009, at 07:00pm.

With the General Direction of Antonia Jean Luis, Artistic Production by Adan Almanzar, Makeup and Fashion Design by Alix Duran, photography by Denis Verneau, Graphic Design Susy Belussi, Choreography by David Duran, Lighting and Sound by & R Music, TV presentation TTV-channel 10, Bladimir Del Monte.

Las Terrenas Live, 23.10.09

Jazz at the Syroz

Sunday, October 25 at 19:00

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Jazz at the Syroz this Sunday, October 25th at 7pm in the presence of the Live Group Herradura, which comes straight from Santiago, Dominican Republic.

For reservations, call 829-780-87-39.
Details concerning the Group Herradura Latin Jazz

Joaquín Sánchez, singer, is an experienced guitarist and a romantic interpreter of songs, which arrived in the artistic community while the presence of male soloists in the Dominican Republic is very limited.

He was born in San Francisco de Macoris, and was immersed in early music, since his father, musician and singer, was part of a musical trio called Los Panchitos.
In 1997, Joaquín integrates with a rock band in his hometown called Herradura.

• Musicians of the group:
• Joaquín Sánchez (musician)
• Congas: Monan Rajoodrigez
• Battery: Gregori Karlóca
• Bass: Alfredo Camacho
• Guitar:Jose Miguel Gabriel

Las Terrenas Live, 27.10.09

Progress in hospital Pablo A. Paulino

Director Agustin Anderson says he made significant progress

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- A little over a month after taking over management of the hospital Pablo A. Paulino Las Terrenas, its director, Agustín Anderson claims to have made much more progress.

He said he appreciates the support provided by the commercial sector which has helped rehabilitate instruments and departments which, he claimed, were completely abandoned.

We painted, repaired and organized some things and we continue in this direction, with the support of friends who are concerned about the problem, he said.

Anderson also highlighted the work done by the French in the pharmacy or low priced drugs are available for those most in need.

Las Terrenas Live, 27.10.09

New power generator in Las Terrenas

It will work with natural gas

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The company Luz & Fuerza, began to install a new power generator in the town of Las Terrenas, which will work with Natural Gas, and thus achieves the necessary investments to become less dependent on oil.

Its current priorities are to achieve the widest coverage on electrification, and reach a volume of energy sales to justify the investment required, to lower production costs.

This investment plan was developed several years ago but was delayed because of high oil prices during the first half of last year.

The plan is SAMANA VERDE on energy, which in turn will allow the company Luz & Fuerza to generate and distribute energy less dependent on oil prices.

When we speak of Samana Verde, we speak of clean energy. In June 2007, we introduced the first Aeolian generator in the Dominican Republic, Las Guázumas, Las Galeras, and until today we have achieved very good results. We are ready to increase this fleet to 1,200 KW generators , said Jose Oscar Orsini Bosch, president of the Compagny Luz & Fuerza.

He also explained that in order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to attach electrically Las Galeras Las Terrenas, in order to create an outlet for that energy generated in Las Guázumas.

In this sense, the company awaits the conclusion of a legal dispute with the Superintendence of Electricity, Edenorte and Progreso Del Limón.

Mr. Orsini Bosch explained that the hearing was scheduled for January, after two years waiting for the Supreme Court, which handles the file.
We are also currently installing a power of 1,400 KW works on natural gas, which is a clean fuel whose prices don’t vary as much as that oil, again, it is cheaper, said Mr. Orsino Bosch, talking about installing a new natural gas power generator in Las Terrenas.

He added that four generators will be installed, and that they can operate with a high percentage of natural gas. These are generators that arrived in Las Terrenas last week, with an investment exceeding 3 $ millions dollars.

If we continue at this pace, we can say that in January of next year, we will generate a high percentage of our energy with natural gas, which could involve a reduction in the rate of 15 or 20% in comparison with the energy produced with oil, said the President of the Company Luz & Fuerza.

Similarly, he added that the entry into an operation of the wind farm could decrease prices up to 30%.

On the other hand, he informed that the authorities of the Superintendence of Electricity and Ministry of the Budget did not cooperate at all, because they want to make us pay as much taxes as possible, they make our life impossible.

Finally, Mr. Orsini Bosch explained that besides working for the welfare of users and the country, this plan was developed for the planet as emissions of gases with greenhouse effects are hurting the planet.

Las Terrenas Live, 28.10.09

The Governor of the Rotario Club Internacional speaks about Las Terrenas

He says it’s a wonderful place

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Governor of District 4060 Rotario Club Internacional for the period 2009-2010, Ramiro Sánchez Melo used his recent visit to Las Terrenas to highlight the qualities possessed by this tourist attraction.

He said he will always remember the welcome he had received.

Thanks for the welcome you have shown that the village is very special, thanks to the hospitality of its inhabitants, said the community leader.

Then it was named as the distinguished invited chapter houses (assemblies of Councillors) of municipalities of Sánchez and Las Terrenas, he asked his companions to thank on behalf of those present for this great distinction.

Delivery of Documents statement was made by Alfredo Espino and Juan Silven, presidents of the entity here and in Sanchez, respectively.
Mr. Sánchez Melo and his wife have asked those present to continue promoting the culture of peace, unity and harmony.

They explained that the famous non-profit institution will soon realize one day to move closer to its goal of eradicating polio, cataract and other diseases.

The meeting took place in Hotel Albachiara in Las Terrenas.

Las Terrenas Live, 29.10.09