DR1 Travel News - 25 September 2018

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What was Mercedes Day all about?
Returning VAT taxes to tourists could be a boost to tourism
Zhang Run advocates Silk Air Route for Dominican skies
DR + Central America: the new multi-destination to consider



What was Mercedes Day all about?
It was a long weekend, with many Dominicans hitting beach and mountain resorts from Friday, 21 September through Monday, 24 September. The weather, for the most part, was good for vacationing.
The off days were because Dominicans were celebrating Our Lady of Mercedes Day, a legacy of the Spanish heritage days. The religious holiday has been celebrated since 1844.

Legend says that faced with the abuses carried out by Christopher Columbus and his cohorts, a coalition of Indians, commanded by Maniocatex, brother of chieftain Caonabo, established a large army of Indians in La Vega, to destroy the Spanish forts and attack La Isabela, the first Spanish settlement in northern Puerto Plata.

There were only 220 Spanish against around 30,000 Indians. The legend tells that despite being outnumbered, when the Spaniards reached Kilometer 5 in La Vega (Santo Cerro) they built a two-meter cross to give them hope. When the Indians saw the cross they unsuccessfully tried to destroy it, believing the power of the Spaniards came from it. History tells that the battle ended with the Spanish being victorious.

Since then, and given the prevalence of the Spanish heritage, Our Lady of the Mercedes is worshipped in Santo Cerro in La Vega.

http://eldia.com.do/hoy-se-celebra-el-dia-de-la-virgen-de-las-mercedes/


Returning VAT taxes to tourists could be a boost to tourism
The president of the Dominican Republic Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), Joel Santos reported that the Subcommittee on Tourism will suggest to the National Competitiveness Council that the later lobby for a provision whereby visiting tourists could claim back ITBIS taxes (VAT). Santos argues that the cash back would stimulate local foreign visitor spending. The announcement was made during the opening of the 32nd Asonahores Trade Expo 2018 at the Punta Cana Blue Mall last week.

This is one of 25 measures prepared by the tourism entity that will be presented to the Competitiveness Council. The Council has been holding meetings with President Danilo Medina to enhance local competitiveness.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...turistas-para-potenciar-el-destino-EN10841894


Zhang Run advocates Silk Air Route for Dominican skies
New Chinese Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Zhang Run, speaking at the opening of the Chinese Embassy in Santo Domingo, proposed that both the Dominican Republic and the People’s Republic of China evaluate the possibility of the start of direct aviation frequencies that be part what he called the “Silk Air Route.”

The Dominican Republic is already served by the largest number of airlines in the Caribbean and Central America. The aviation authorities of both countries are now studying the possibility of flights by Chinese airlines -- Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.

Run made the remarks during the opening of the Chinese Embassy, with the participation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cooperacion-china-rd-abrira-un-nuevo-capitulo


DR + Central America: the new multi-destination to consider
The Dominican Republic continues to strengthen its relations with Central America. Last week, the Dominican Republic signed to be part of the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) – the representative tourism promotional agency of the seven countries of Central America: Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama. The Dominican Republic will now act as a fully-fledged member further diversifying the region’s multi destination portfolio.

The expanded Central American region offers rich cultural, historical and natural diversity. It is explained that the synergies between the seven Central American nations and the Dominican Republic make the new partnership a natural fit, with the sharing of cultural traditions, picturesque natural landscapes, local hospitality, pristine beaches and archaeological legacy left by ancient civilizations.

As reported, the Caribbean country’s inclusion in CATA seeks to further enhance the region’s diverse tourism offering. Visitors will be encouraged to extend a Central America trip to the Dominican Republic and vice versa. The Dominican Republic is the leader in tourist arrivals in the Central American and Caribbean region. The Dominican Republic has been assisting Central American countries in improving their tourism positioning.

CATA had met in Puerto Plata in June 2018, hosted by Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García who serves as temporary president of the Central American Tourism Council (CCT). The Dominican Republic is the temporary president of the Central American Integration System (SICA) that unites the Central American nations and the Dominican Republic primarily for trade matters.

https://iberoeconomia.es/mercados/cata-turismo-centroamerica-seguira-creciendo-del-155/