BÁVARO, PUNTA CANA – April 25, 2012 – The
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism proudly announced a dynamic 8.4
percent growth in visits in the first quarter to the Caribbean’s most
popular leisure destination during the Dominican Annual Tourism
Exchange held at the Barceló Convention Center. Both February
and March experienced an 8.4 percent growth in the quarter with 14
percent increases coming from the U.S. and Canada, Dominican Republic’s
top markets, as well as from emerging markets like Russia.
All of the country’s eight international airports have welcomed
increasing flights and passengers: Punta Cana International Airport
(PUJ) had an 8.5 percent increase over the same period last year; Santo
Domingo’s Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) at 4.3 percent;
Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) at 6
percent and Samaná’s El Catey International Airport (AZS)
boasting a 22 percent increase.
The Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism, Francisco
Javier Garcia said, “The main reasons visits continue to increase are
the country’s magnificent, unspoiled nature, year-round sunny and warm
climate, beautiful beaches, golf courses, world-class hotels, thriving
culture and gastronomy. Visitors from around the world also say that
their favorite aspect of the destination is how well friendly
Dominicans treat them.”
“The enormous visitor increase is also attributed to strategic
investment in new tourism products and infrastructure throughout the
country. The Dominican Republic government has systematically developed
strategic new roads and highways to connect diverse tourism offerings
within a short one or two hour drive, creating a revolution in the
tourism movement here,” he added.
Several additional tourism developments were announced
during the conference, including:
- Dominican Republic’s much-anticipated Coral Highway will
officially open by August of this year and will be the country’s most
modern and safest highway. The highway will allow visitors from Punta
Cana to reach the country’s intriguing Capital City, Santo Domingo, in
just two hours. The new highway stretches from the luxurious global
beach destination, Punta Cana/Bávaro, to La Romana and Bayahibe,
finishing in Santo Domingo and opening up the historic Colonial City to
more visitors than ever before.
- Pablo Pinero of Grupo Piñero, developers of Gran
Bahia Resorts, announced the addition of five new hotels to be built in
Dominican Republic. He attributed his prestigious company’s selection
of Dominican Republic for the new hotels to the convenient proximity of
the country to the strong North American market and emerging Latin
American markets; the best year-round climate in the world, and the
safety and stability of the country. The Dominican Republic Ministry of
Tourism, Cultural and Local and Regional Tourism Clusters are working
together to leverage tourism offerings along the new highway, providing
new attractions in the multi-destination route. www.Grupo-Pinero.com
- Puerto Bahia Marina & Residences is the newest shining
star in Samaná. This luxurious and secluded sanctuary features
the charming 33-suite Bannister Hotel, the first Café Del Mar in
the Americas with an infinity pool over-looking Samaná Bay, and
the only full service international marina in the area. The marina
features 105 slips and receives international boating enthusiasts. A
popular route leads boating enthusiast from Miami to Puerto Bahia and
on to other marinas in Dominican Republic, like Ocean World in Puerto
Plata, and Cap Cana and Casa de Campo’s marinas on the Southeast Coast.
Expect a personal welcome and one-on-one service at this delightful
property. www.PuertoBahiaSamana.com
- Casa de Campo has recently been nominated for various
prestigious awards, including Travel + Leisure 2012 Worlds
Best Award, Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice
Awards and LINKS Top 100 Golf Courses. Additionally, in
2011, more than $40 million was invested in remodeling and promoting
infrastructure of Casa de Campo, including remodeled rooms, a new lobby
and pool area, La Cana Restaurant, a remodeled Playa Minitas and a new
conference center. In 2011, Casa de Campo also received the prestigious
honor of becoming a Leading Hotel of the World. www.CasadeCampo.com.do
- The Cabarete – Sosúa Association of Hotels and
Restaurants introduced a campaign to highlight the unique diversity
found along the towns on the North Coast, including the best conditions
in the world for water sports and culture, as well as lifestyle.
Cabarete hopes to attract a new genre of travelers with new boutique
hotels, including the new Millennium Resort & Spa.
- Grupo PUNTACANA announced an opening date for the Four
Points by Sheraton Hotel located in the PUNTACANA Village complex. The
122-room hotel will open in October 2012 and will serve the growing
number of business travelers who come to conduct business in Punta
Cana. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will also debut its
Westin brand at PUNTACANA Resort & Club in late 2013. The 204-room
property will give travelers access to the first-class amenities
available at PUNTACANA Resort & Club and will offer 16 suites,
meeting and wedding facilities, an expansive outdoor pool, poolside
grill, cigar bar, and more. www.PUNTACANA.com/grupo-puntacana
- The Hotel Association of Samaná
shared the growing success of the destination,
which they said has topography found nowhere else in the region and
therefore are looking to maximize upon this. The popularity
of this
destination is rapidly growing both in regular tourist visits, as well
as in
cruise ship arrivals. In 2011, Samaná Bay received
85,000 cruise
ship passengers, while 250,000 are expected in 2012.
- Paradisus Punta Cana recently renovated guest
rooms and a new Gabi
Restaurant.
The luxurious Caribbean resort has renovated the Standard
and Royal
Service rooms with modern decoration and new features, such as an
outdoor
Jacuzzi or private garden. The Gabi Restaurant transformation will
premier
in October 2012 and accommodate 360 guests at its main salon and 140 at
the interior restaurant,
Market Grill, which will offer contemporary
cuisine and GABI's signature environment. www.Paradisus-PuntaCana.com
- Paradisus Palma Real announced a new royal
service lounge that overlooks the ocean and
offers guests premiere service once they book their stay. Paradisus'
signature Royal Service Suites were also upgraded, including the new
Juice
Bar in the beach area, new fitness area YHI Moves, Italian Restaurant
Palazzo, new computers in the VIP welcome area, and more.
www.ParadisusPalmaReal.com
- The Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier
Garcia inaugurated the Sirenis Aquagames
waterpark on April 17th. The water park is located within the complex
of
the Sirenis Hotels & Resorts in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana. The park
caters
to families and kids of all ages and is offered at a
discounted
rate to hotel guests. www.SirenisHotels.com
About Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic's first tourist was Christopher
Columbus in 1492.
Rich in history, Dominican Republic has developed into a
diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to
nearly one
and a half million U.S. visitors and 4.2 million global visitors in
2011. Named
#1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the
International
Association of Golf Tour Operators, Dominican Republic boasts 28
designer golf
courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature and sophisticated cities and
quaint
villages filled with warm Dominican people. Dominican Republic features
the
best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape
for
celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit Dominican Republic
Ministry of
Tourism's official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.
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