DR1 Travel News - 31 January 2017

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South Beach Hotel in Barahona
Barahona Tourism Cluster sponsors fair
Despite lull in US travel, Punta Cana continues to grow
Johnny Ventura sings boleros


South Beach Hotel in Barahona
New to the Barahona area, the South Beach Hotel formally opened last week. It is on the panoramic coastal Paraiso-Enriquillo road in Barahona province in the southwest. The hotel has 32 air-conditioned rooms (21 double and nine single rooms) that are located in a five-floor building. A restaurant and nightclub is on the premises. The rooms feature plasma TVs and Wi-Fi. The hotel has parking for 30 vehicles. 

General manager Franklin Acosta Gonzalez says  they are offering guests tours to the popular Bahía de las Aguilas beach in addition to hiking tours, biking tours and others. 

Hotel contacts are: Tel 829-822-6460, info@southbeachhotelrd.com or http://southbeachhoteldr.com


Barahona Tourism Cluster sponsors fair
The Tourism and Production Cluster of Barahona announced the hosting of the “Discover Barahona, Working Towards Sustainable Development” for 24-26 March 2017 at the Universidad Tecnológico de Barahona (UCATEBA). 

Virgilio Pérez Bernal, provincial president of the cluster, said the event seeks to expand the horizons for the small and medium-sized producers from the 11 municipalities of Barahona. “Many hotels source their produce in Santo Domingo, while we have the capacity to supply the local, national and international markets,” he said. 

The event seeks to create linkages between local business with producers and suppliers of goods and services from other places around the country. Foreign investors interested in touristic and production in the province are being invited to participate. 

Training workshops, talks, conferences, arts and crafts exhibits, cultural and folklore shows will be held. 

Elena Nunziatini, executive director of the cluster, said that Barahona is more than tourism. She said the fair is an invitation to get to know the province, its people, its production capacity, gastronomy, its farm produce and attractions.


Despite lull in US travel, Punta Cana continues to grow
The Central Bank says the recent decline in US travelers to the Dominican Republic has been most likely caused by the uncertainties in a US electoral year. US air arrivals to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) were down 2.3% in the past four months.  PUJ is the country’s main tourist entry point. US travel in recent years has represented more than 42% of all tourism to the country. Canada is the next largest source market with 16%. 

The good news is that travel in general to the country continued to grow, despite the decline in US travelers. Tourism arrivals by air to the Dominican Republic in 2016 were up 7%. Russian travelers have filled the hotel rooms not booked by the US tourists.

Veloz says that occupancy in the Punta Cana area ranges from 85-89% even with the opening of five hotels with 4,000 new hotel rooms. He said occupancy is around 2% more than last year. 

Nevertheless, Ernesto Veloz, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Projects of the East (Asoleste), in an interview with Bavaro News says he feels the time is right for the country to increase promotion to attract those who would have vacationed in European and Middle Eastern countries that have been affected by security problems. The situation opens up opportunities to attract these travelers to the Dominican Republic, he says.

He said new in the destination are the attractions in Downtown Punta Cana -- the Lorenzillo Restaurant and the Guaguancó Latin music nightclub. He announced the Blue Mall shopping mall would be opening in the first part of 2017. 

http://www.bavaronews.com/semanal/i...ida-de-mas-de-110-de-turistas-estadounidenses



Johnny Ventura sings boleros

Legendary merengue singer Johnny Ventura is booked for a performance at the Escenario 360 events hall of the Galeria 360 shopping mall. “Solo Boleros” is the name of the romantic songs concert set for Friday and Saturday, 3-4 February 2017. The 76-year old Ventura is making a selection of popular romantic songs from his 60-year career. 

Among the songs are classics such as: "Cuando estoy contigo", "Resumen", "Dilema", "Poquita fe", "Nada de ti", "Flor de pantano", and his extensive repertoire of ballads and boleros.

Tickets are RD$4,000 and include open bar of premium spirits and snacks. To book online, go to Ticketsexpress.com.do