DR1 Travel News - 18 April 2017

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May 3, 2000
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Trump factor causes lull in visits of expat Dominicans
Meliá Hotels International opens new offices at Novocentro Mall
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodríguez vacation at Casa de Campo
Justin Bieber concert a success, to be followed by Sting
Readers Digest Canada celebrates Nickelodeon Punta Cana



Trump factor causes lull in visits of expat Dominicans
Central Bank data indicates that the number of non-resident Dominicans visitors was down 3.94% this year compared to the first quarter of the year in 2016. This year 170,358 non-resident visitors came, compared to 177,341 from January to March 2016. 

February showed a significant decline in the visit of non-resident Dominicans. Travel of these was down 6% compared to February 2016. Travel by this group declined even more in March, down 13.23%. 

In a press conference in March, Governor of the Central Bank Hector Valdez Albizu blamed the Trump Effect for the decline in Dominican expat travelers. He said many have chosen not to leave the US because they are concerned they may have problems re-entering. 

Dominicans living abroad represent on average 10% of travelers to the Dominican Republic. 

Meanwhile, Central Bank statistics say that air arrivals for the first quarter, including 1,495,249 foreign tourists, were 1,665,607, up 4.78% for the period. 

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...s-dominicanos-no-residentes-al-pais-FB6838623
https://www.listindiario.com/econom...educe-la-llegada-de-dominicanos-no-residentes


Meliá Hotels International opens new offices at Novocentro Mall
Meliá Hotels International has opened new offices in Santo Domingo to better service the local market. The new offices, located at the Novocentro Mall on Av. Lope de Vega, will assist clients in booking Paradisus Palma Real, Meliá Caribe Tropical and Paradisus Punta Cana in Punta Cana. 

Attending the ceremony were Conrad Bergwerf, director of Paradisus Resorts and Manfred Schoebel, director of Meliá Caribe Tropical. 


Successful first concert at the Puerto Plata amphitheater
More than 3,000 guests invited by the Presidency, the Ministry of Tourism and the Mayor of Puerto Plata office gathered for the first concert at the La Puntilla Amphitheater in Puerto Plata on Easter Saturday, 15 April 2017. Merengue greats Johnny Ventura, Fefita La Grande, Krisspy, Wilfrido Vargas, Fernando Villalona and Sergio Vargas were there together with salsa performers Chiquito Team Band, bachata singer Elvis Martinez and urban musicians Vakeró and Mozart La Para. 

The Easter Saturday show lasted around 6 hours and ended at around 2am. 

It was announced that a concert with Dominican performers would take place the last Saturday of every month through the rest of the year. 

The new amphitheater is located overlooking the Fortaleza de San Felipe. It is part of the Parque Urbano de La Puntilla, an area of 1,877.68 square meters. 

As reported, the area expands to around 4,000 square meters with capacity for 7,000 persons when the grass areas adjacent to the amphitheater are used by the audience. 

The amphitheater overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and and has in its backdrop the historical Puerto Plata Lighthouse. 
The amphitheater had been inaugurated on 14 July 2016 with the attendance of President Danilo Medina and Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia. 

http://elnacional.com.do/mas-de-tre...ncierto-inaugural-anfiteatro-de-puerto-plata/


Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodríguez vacation at Casa de Campo
Entertainment press is covering the romance between Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, who are both in the Dominican Republic for a vacation, following Lopez’s Easter Saturday concert at Altos de Chavon in Casa de Campo, La Romana on 15 April 2017. Her former husband, Marc Anthony, performed "Olvídame y Pega La Vuelta” with JLo on Saturday evening. Anthony is the father of the two twins that flew in with Lopez on a private jet on Easter Friday. 

The concert was described as excellent but too short. The show began an hour late at 9:45pm and ended at 10:53pm as reported in the media. 

http://www.eonline.com/news/843699/...the-dominican-republic-with-a-100-000-getaway


Justin Bieber concert a success, to be followed by Sting
SD Concerts that organized the Justin Bieber concert at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana announced the next concert at the resort will be that of Sting, to be held at the Filmore Hall on 13 May 2017. 

The Sting concert will follow on the successful show of youth idol Justin Bieber at the property that is located near Macao Beach in Punta Cana. The media reported that the Canadian boy idol delivered a magnificent performance for his fans that was complemented by an awesome Led light show and spectacular digital fireworks.

Diario Libre reported there were at least 10,000 persons at the show that took place outdoors at the resort. The show was part of Bieber’s Purpose Tour 2017. 


Readers Digest Canada celebrates Nickelodeon Punta Cana
With most rooms going for upwards of US$900 on Expedia for a family of four with room and breakfast included, Nickelodeon Punta Cana has gotten off to a great start since opening in summer 2016. Readers Digest Canada calls the “arguably the chicest” resort to offer over-the-top water park experience in its rating of resorts with water parks. 

The publication raves about the waterslides, splash pads, spray grounds and a lazy river at Aqua Nick. It highlights that the Nickelodeon Punta Cana attractions feature a water cannon, a Mass Sliming experience, where family and friends could later meet at poolside for a Slime Time photo opportunity.  

http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/best-waterpark-resorts/