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Daily News - 31 January 2000
Tourism to DR grows 10.3% in 1999 compared to 1998
Air tourist arrivals were up 16.3% in 1999 compared to 1998, according to the Hotel & Restaurant Association (Asonahores). In general travel to the DR grew 10.3%, much more than the 4% average country per country listed by the World Tourism Organization. "It has been a good year for the tourism industry," says Asonahores.
According to the tourism industry organization's statistics, last year 2,685,855 tourists arrived by way of Dominican airports, 376,000 more than in 1998. In 1999, there were 240,000 maritime arrivals. Cruise ship travel is said to have increased 8%.
Asonahores says that tourism receipts in 1999 reached US$2,473 million, up 15.5% when compared to US$2,142 million in 1998. Asonahores says there are now 49,200 hotel rooms in the DR, with an additional 5,000 under construction.
New golf courses are under construction in the Punta Cana-Bavaro area along the East Coast as well as in Juan Dolio, La Romana along the southeastern coastline. Furthermore, the organization says that construction of three convention centers will begin this year in Bavaro, Juan Dolio and Bayahibe-Dominicus areas. Travel to the DR is divided as: United States 25.3%, Germany 21.2%, Canada 8%, Spain 6.5%, Italy 6.4%, France 5.9%. Travel from Europe 56%, while North Americans contributed 34%.
Growth rates were highest from France with 22%, Spain 18%, Italy 16% and the US 15%.
Asonahores highlighted that foreign companies invested more than US$1,374 million in tourism facilities in 1999, up from US$700 in 1998.
Local airlines furious with CAB pressures
Local airlines are furious with the position of the Civil Aviation Board to justify that Dominicana Airlines remain the only national carrier authorized to exploit US-DR routes. The government is immersed in the process to privatize Dominicana and to make it more attractive is restricting other Dominican carriers from keeping or securing flying certificates to the US for the next seven years.
Dominican airlines are banned from flying to the US because of the US Federal Aviation Agency assessing the government of the Domincian Republic's civil aviation authority as Category 3 ­ not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of the DR's air carrier operations. As a result, flights to the US by the Dominican Republic's air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have the flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international safety standards.
Amín Canaan, president of Transporte Aéreo Dominicano, a local company, denounced there has been corruption within government aviation institutions that have managed millions of dollars in an OACI program and have not been able to resolve the problems that impede the lifting of Category 3 status, levied on the DR in 1993.
Antonio Mota, director general of Air Europa in the DR told the Listín Diario that the DR has not had the ban lifted because of "incapability" within the Dominican government. He said the government has not employed neither the resources, nor the means nor has had the interest of lifting the ban. Air Europa recently sold its participation in Air Santo Domingo, an airline that began as a domestic carrier but whose real aspirations were to fly to the US and other points. Air Santo Domingo also expects to see a major decline in operations when Herrera Airport services move to the La Isabela airport the government is building in northern Santo Domingo.
Mota said they began operations when the government committed to resolve Category 3 problems in six months, which has not occurred despite three years going by. He said the category three could be resolved in a year or in ten years depending on governmental will. He criticized the government's decision to grant a monopoly on routes to Dominican carriers saying that what de facto has been done is to grant a monopoly to American Airlines.
Dominicana Airlines does not have any airplanes, at the present time, as it was bankrupt by bad managerial practices of its administrators. Today, it leases its frequencies to other airlines for a fee. At the present time, the government is immersed in capitalizing this company. Press sources mention that no big name airline is interested, but Dominicana Airlines' insiders have their own candidate for whom the moves to make it more attractive and eliminate competition have been made.
Blackouts and increasing electric bills become political issue
Eight-hour blackouts and electricity bill rate increases are back. The Superintendence of Electricity has not issued a statement on what is going on. Recently, president of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque (PRD-Monte Plata) said he would request that Marcos Cochón of the Superintendence and the president of the Commission for the Reform of Public Enterprise, Antonio Isa Conde come before the Senate to explain the reasons of this new crisis that affects the electricity system.
What is known is that the blackouts are a consequence of the low generation of Itabo II, Itabo B, Haina II, Puerto Plata I and II and Los Mina V, while Smith Enron was reported to be generating 50 of the 170 megawatts it has capacity to generate. There was a reported deficit of 300 megawatts over the weekend as production was around 1,200 megawatts with demand at over 1,500 megawatts. Newspapers say that spokesmen for Edenorte, Edesur, AES Distribuidora del Este have not been available for comments. Hoy newspaper says that the increases have been levied on consumers because the private companies have not been able to improve efficiency nor increase their universe of bill-paying clients. As a result, they have resorted to the same tactic the state owned utility, CDE used when it needed more money - increase the bills paid by those who are already paying.
El Siglo newspaper article indicates that electric bills will go up 14.6% in January and increases will continue over the next months as the companies pass on to consumers increases in petroleum, inflation and the exchange rate as per communications sent to the Superintendence of Electricity on 31 December.
With the presidential election less than four months away, the electricity issue now becomes a campaign issue, and a weak point for government party candidate, Danilo Medina. José Tomás Pérez, secretary general of the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana, says that the electricity problems are technical ones, not political ones.
Nevertheless, presidential candidate of the opposing Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, Hipólito Mejía has invited the presidential candidate of the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, Joaquín Balaguer, to support his proposal that the capitalization of the state owned utility, Corporación Dominicana de Electricidad, come 16 August 2000.
Meanwhile, there is a general consensus that privatization has not meant an improvement in the service provided nor for the pockets of local consumers nor even of the government, that has continued to have to subsidize power in the DR, due to being left with the bone while dealing out the meat to the new power distributors.
Cardinal calls for better political discourse
Cardinal Nicolás Jesús López Rodríguez urged Hipólito Mejía of the PRD and Danilo Medina of the PLD to improve their political discourse, which he described as laden with diatribes and insults. "No one is interested in that kind of talk and in myself it produces a major discomfort," said the head of the Catholic Church in the DR. He would like the politicians to instead explain to the people their government programs, their solutions to the national problems. "I would like to see the candidates talking of substantial things, with serious arguments, that they be presenting solutions to the nation's problems, not to say that this was done or not. The Cardinal spoke on his Sunday talk on the Roman Catholic Church Television Station, Televida, Channel 41.
Government denies having advanced RD$513 million for Northwest Aqueduct
Temístocles Montás, Technical Secretary of the Presidency, denied that the government has paid a RD$513 million advance towards the construction of the Northwest Aqueduct. He made the statement in response to an inquiry repeatedly made by president of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque. Visibly mad, when asked about the matter of journalists, he said that Alburquerque is well aware of this as he was the head of a commission that suggested to the government the carrying out of the Northwest Aqueduct project, with financing included. He said that Alburqueque is "deliberately, and intentionally lying to the country, trying to manipulate public opinion, trying to hide now his responsibility with that contract." Montás said the Northwest Aqueduct project was presented to the government by Alburquerque (PRD-Monte Plata, José González Espinosa (PRD-Barahona) and Darío Gómez (PRD-Santiago Rodríguez).
Dominican aspires to be Secretary Adjunct of OAS
Dominican Luís Hernández Sánchez has presented his candidacy for the adjunct secretary position at the Organization of American States. Panamanian ambassador Lawrence Chewining Fabrega also aspires to the post. Hernández Sánchez is a career diplomat with many years in the United Nations. He has not worked in the OAS.
USOC's Hybl praises Boca Chica
Santo Domingo Pan Am Game organizers say the president of the United States Olympic Committee, Bill Hybl praised Boca Chica as a site for sailing events and other water and beach-based sports during the 2003 Pan Am Games.
The US president of the Olympic Committee, Bill Hybl visited Boca Chica last week as part of a tour of local installations to be used for the Games. Hybl was in the DR to offer his cooperation to game organizers as well as make lodging arrangements for the US team. According to a press release from the organizing committee, Hybl said that there cannot be a more ideal, perfect and lovely setting than Boca Chica to carry out the beach sporting events. Sailing, water skiing, triathlon, rowing and beach volleyball events will take place in Boca Chica. Participants in those events can be lodged at the hotels located in this tourist destination.
US non-profit medical organization to operate on 50 children
Heart Care International, a non-profit US medical organization, will be sending 98 physicians and staff to the DR to operate on needy children. The physicians use their vacation time to contribute to the needy of other countries. The organization will also be teaching local physicians to perform the operations. HCI physicians will be back next year.
Baninter, a local bank, will be picking up their local transportation, lodging and per diem costs.
The operations will take place at the Materno Infantil hospital at the Plaza de la Salud in Santo Domingo. A first group of 11 physicians has already arrived for the first surgeries.
Heart Care International comes to the DR through the efforts of Dominican José Norberto, a cardiovascular surgeon who works closely with Dr. Robert Michler, president of the non-profit organization in the United States.
Patients who will benefit have been referred by the Corazones Unidos, Robert Reid Cabral Hospital, Arturo Grullón, Central Romana, and Armed Forces hospitals.
Web site promises to deliver for St. Valentine's Day
A new online store is making it possible for persons living abroad to send appliances, food items and even flowers to persons they care for in the DR. This is coming in especially handle with St. Valentine's Day coming up.
The online store, lacentralexpress.com will be promoted regularly on dr1.com to daily news subscribers and web site readers.
The idea for the online delivery store came about when New York City accountant Robert Vargas helped his parents retire to the DR. While they were looking forward to the home coming after many years in the US, they weren't prepared for the customs ordeal. Turning a negative into a positive, Vargas, who works at Schifflin & Sommerset firm in New York, saw a business opportunity in helping others have an easier home coming. He also sought to fill the need of persons abroad who would like to give a TV, a stereo, washing machine or even a refrigerator to their relatives in the DR, without having to send money or personally bring down the item.
Those purchasing from lacentralexpress.com pay Santo Domingo competitive prices and have the advantage that the delivery is included in the price. The company promises delivery in 48 hours after the order is placed. The company also offers home delivery of popular supermarket items.
So far, the company is working with Distribuidora Corripio, which features the Samsung, Phillips, Frigidaire, Jenn Air, Windmere brands, and many more as well as with other local companies. For more information, see the company's website at www.lacentralexpress.com
Birthing lessons at Body Shop
Body Shop, the biggest gym in the DR, announces the start of its birthing lessons for Friday, 11 February. 549-6620. The class instructors are certified by the International Childbirth Education Association Inc. (ICEA).
Luther College Jazz Band in the DR
The Luther College Jazz Band announces an 8:30 pm presentation at the Instituto Cultural Dominico-Americano in Santo Domingo. On Tuesday, the group travels to the Teatro de La Vega for a presentation, then moving on Wednesday to perform at the Hotel Puerto Plata Beach and Thursday at Casa Marina Reef in Sosua. Dominican Tony Guzmán directs the group.
Rock of the 70s and 80s in Santo Domingo
"Men at Work," the popular Australian rock group is coming to the DR in February. They will present a concert at the Salon La Fiesta of the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel on 6 February. The group won the 1982 Grammy Award. They are known for their hits: "Who can it be now?" "Down under," Be good, Johnny," "Catch a Star, "Everything I need," "It's a Mistake," and others. Tickets can be purchased at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel.
Aguilas win DR Baseball Championship
The Estrellas Orientales pushed the finals to the end, winning the fourth and fifth game over the weekend, losing in a 10th inning on Sunday. The Dominican Winter Baseball Series was decided in an extra inning at the Cibao Stadium, with the Aguilas winning a dramatic game, 3-2. In the ninth inning, the Estrellas Orientales had erased a one-run advantage the Aguilas had maintained throughout the game thanks to the bats of Adrián Beltré and Desi Wilson. But the Aguilas did their stuff, and the winning run was batted in when Darrel Sherman sent Patricio Claudio home in the 10th inning. The Aguilas will now represent the DR in the Caribbean World Series that opens in Santo Domingo, on Wednesday, 2 February. The Aguilas were the favorites to win, and no one expected the Estrellas to put up such a great fight. The Estrellas have not won a final in 32 years. This is the Aguilas' 15th championship.
Caribbean World Series opens 2 February
The Caribbean Baseball Championship, known as the Caribbean World Series, opens Wednesday, 2 February in Santo Domingo. It will last through 7 February. Games are slated for 4 pm and 8 pm at the Quisqueya Ballpark. The championship winners from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the DR will vie for the regional title. The Aguilas of the Dominican Republic, are the regional champions. Tickets are selling for RD$500 Palcos A, RD$350 Palcos AA, RD$250 preferencias, RD$40 bleachers. Cadena Microondas Nacionales will transmit by Channel 7, Antena Latina and by radio the games. For tickets, call 567-6371 or 540-5772.
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