“Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and all the islands that make up this beautiful region, have enormous potential if we are able to weave a network of offers that allows customers to explore all the attractions that it adds up to the climate, culture and experience offered by the Caribbean,” he told the audience, which included Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness and Prime Minister of St Lucia, Allan Chastanet, as well as retiring Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Dr Taleb Rafai and Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett.

He noted that within that context, the Dominican Republic, yesterday (November 28) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jamaica to establish a multi-destination co-operation; and said the signing is only one of many intended similar collaborations with countries in the region.

Pointing to the robust growth of tourism in the Caribbean in the past year, despite the effects of major hurricanes, President Medina Sanchez stressed the need for sustainability to ensure the future of the Caribbean’s tourism industry. Source * Dominican Today

Santo Domingo.- Public Health authorities on Mon. launched preventive actions, including visits and supervision of the country’s trauma services to guarantee timely attention during the holidays, when traffic deaths jump as much as 10%.

The supervision will be broadened as studies show that with adequate care, fatal traffic accidents are reduced by 25%, while distractions with cell phones account for 54% of collisions, followed by distractions from billboards along the roads.

The figures were provided by Deputy Health Minister, Héctor Quezada, and Traffic Accidents Mortality Reduction Program (PREMAT) director Leonel Ureña, during the start of the safety and prevention push, ” Safe Christmas 2017,” with the support of the Dominican Evangelical Unity Council (CODUE). Source *Dominican Today

It said the main objective of the 2017-2020 Country Strategy is to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, compatible with the creation of quality jobs that allow the reduction of poverty and inequality levels.

“The IDB Group intends to deepen the interventions of the previous strategy that are in line with the medium and long-term challenges of the country: improvement of the quality and coverage of basic services; expansion of productive opportunities; and improvement in the management of public finances, institutional strengthening and transparency,” the multilateral bank said.

It also cited the actions that promote gender equality, protection of the environment and adaptation to climate change, and innovation and will incorporate and utilize ICTs.

“During 2013-2016, the IDB Strategy focused on three pillars: macroeconomic stability and fiscal management; investment in human capital; and productive development policies.” SOURCE *DOMINICANTODAY

The Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier García, reported that the national tourism industry was not affected by Hurricane Irma's passage through the Dominican Republic.

In assessing the impact of the hurricane, he said that all activities are carried out normally on Friday in the different tourist resorts.

Thanks God, and to the application of the security and prevention protocols, no tourist, no hotel center suffered any damage, said the official.

Garcia said that the entire sector applied what is established in the protocol of security and prevention in cases of being threatened or beaten by a cyclone.

He thanked the behavior of tourists and Dominicans during the event and said that on Friday visitors enjoy the normal activities offered by hotel centers.

The official highlighted the detailed follow-up given by President Danilo Medina to the trajectory of Irma and the actions to be taken by each of the institutions.

The Bávaro Tropical Mall (BTM) is a new development that will have 4 floors of shopping and entertainment enjoyment.

The 4 story Ocean view Bavaro Tropical Mall will appeal to all types of visitors and will include a Food Court and a Kids Entertainment Area on the top floor. The third level will feature a zone for Professional Offices as well as a Tourist Shopping Excursion that will spotlight all things Dominican including clothing, rum, trinkets, and souvenirs to take home and remember your vacation by. For the locals, whether long-term or seasonal, there will be convenient services such as a grocery store, cell phone stores, banks, and other businesses convenient for everyday life in the Caribbean. In the Bávaro Tropical Mall is Where You Can Find It All!  Across from REMAX Tropcial.

Delices Francais Panaderia is in the heart of BAVARO. Amazing place, has it all. Breakfast, pastries, cakes, snacks, lunch and dinner. A Relaxed atmosphere and only 2 blocks to the white sandy beach when you are ready for some sun and relaxation. They have great A/C to cool down from the hot sun of Punta Cana. They also have special dishes from Venezuela, Known as Arepa. 

* Local Source Contributor

The Dominican Republic is an island nation in the Caribbean situated between Cuba and Puerto Rico. The country's 18,700 square miles of territory extends over more than half of the island it shares with Haiti. It is home to a diverse natural landscape that includes white-sand beaches, fertile plains and breathtaking mountain ranges that reach elevations over 10,000 feet, the highest in the region. The Dominican Republic is also home to a growing population of expatriates, who live in cities throughout the country.

While the Dominican Republic is not the cheapest retirement destination in the world, it does provide excellent value for money compared to most other destinations in the Caribbean. It is absolutely possible to live comfortably in the country on a $1,000 monthly budget. Most single expatriates living alone would probably benefit from a slightly higher budget of around $1,200 per month. However, if you're sharing housing costs with a spouse or roommate, a $1,000 monthly budget per person should be enough to live very comfortably.

The Cap Cana business group says that during last Thursday's visit to the tourist destination, Eric Trump, executive vice president of The Trump Organization, was able to see first hand the property developer's most recent amenities.

In a press release, Cap Cana says that Eric Trump, son of the recently inaugurated US president, was received by Ricardo Hazoury and Fernando Hazoury, president and vice president of the board, who expressed their satisfaction, saying that it was excellent to host Eric in Cap Cana once again.

Cap Cana established a relationship with The Trump Organization in February 2007, exactly one decade ago. This relationship remains incredibly strong, especially with Eric, who has led the project since its inception, added the Cap Cana execs.

They stated that we are enthused about working with The Trump Organization in the future phases of the project. Eric Trump visited the Cap Cana tourism and residential complex in the eastern Dominican Republic on Tuesday, February 2nd.