DR1 Travel News - 8 January 2019

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
8,215
37
48
www.
Record number of tourists for 2018
New Lifestyle Group resort in Cabarete, Puerto Plata
Sunwing flies direct from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Punta Cana
AC Hotels by Marriott in Santiago
Seaborne to resume STI-SJU flights in February
Club Med and Tropicalia to mark tourism in Miches



Record number of tourists for 2018
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic says 2018 will close surpassing the mark of 6.5 million tourist arrivals. This is an increase of 650,000 non-resident visitors. Revenues are estimated to surpass US$7.61 billion at the year’s end, up 6% compared to 2017, or about US$433 million more.

Central Bank Governor revealed on 28 December 2018 that preliminary results for the year show the tourism sector grew 5.6%. Travel from January to November 2018 was up 6.3%.


New Lifestyle Group resort in Cabarete, Puerto Plata
President Danilo Medina was in Puerto Plata this past December for the inauguration of the Presidential Suites Cabarete, the newest hotel project of The Lifestyle Group that also operates a major development in Cofresí, Puerto Plata. The Presidential Suites Cabarete was built with an investment of US$36 million. Currently at the opening of the first stage of the project, the Presidential Suites Cabarete includes 163 room units.

Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia gave the keynote address at the event that highlighted the growth of tourism in Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata Bishop Julio Cesar Corniel Amaro offered the blessing of the project.

In addition to these important Dominican Republic dignitaries and other government officials and representatives of the sector, the event was attended by Markus Wischenbart and Anja Wiscenbart, president and vice president of the Lifestyle Group. They were joined by Patrick Sleezer, a representative from the Wynn Group, a Canadian investment group that was responsible for the construction of the five-star project.

The Presidential Suites Cabarete calls for the construction of 13 deluxe buildings with units of 1, 2, and 3 rooms at end stage completion. Each room will include modern furnishings and view of Cabarete beach or resort gardens. The all-inclusive resort is described as having first-rate restaurants, a relaxing spa area with sauna and Jacuzzi, several pools, bars, and other recreational accommodations.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...residential-suites-cabarete-lifestyle-con-131


Sunwing flies direct from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Punta Cana
Sunwing is offering a weekly direct flight service from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the popular sun destination departing every Wednesday since 19 December 2018 until 27 March 2019, inclusive. The flight is also attractive to residents in northern Ontario.

The airline is offering resort packages for its customers at popular Punta Cana resorts, including Grand Memories Splash and Riu Republica (for adults only), among others.

All Sunwing packages include complimentary 23kg checked luggage allowance. Ten adults travelling together can receive special prices, added values and reduced deposits.

https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...der-Bay-to-Punta-Cana-Dominican-Republic.html


AC Hotels by Marriott in Santiago
Construction began in mid-December 2018 at the 11-floor AC Hotels by Marriott in Santiago de los Caballeros. The new city hotel is under construction at Calle del Sol, near the Monumentos de los Heroes de la Restauración, the main focus of nightlife in Santiago.

This is the first AC Marriott to be built in the Dominican Republic. The AC Hotels by Marriott brand is described by the corporation as one designed to attract business travelers interested in a sleek modern hotel with European touches.


Freddy Fernandez, promoter of the AC Marriott Santiago is the founder of Ecco Outsourcing Group.

https://achotels.marriott.com/
https://www.facebook.com/eccocallcenter/


Seaborne to resume STI-SJU flights in February
Seaborne Airlines announced it is resuming its nonstop service between San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and Santiago’s Cibao International Airport (STI) with an inaugural flight scheduled to depart SJU on Thursday, 14 February 2019. The service is scheduled to operate three days a week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The company says daily service is programmed for the summer time, from 23 May to 3 September 2019.

The company is marketing the service as an opportunity for those seeking to vacation in Puerto Plata beaches and the nearby mountain-based eco-tourism destination of Jarabacoa.

“We are thrilled that Seaborne is returning to the Dominican market which shares historical cultural and economic ties with Puerto Rico,” said Seaborne’s Chief Operating Officer Captain Jesus Medina. “We also look forward to providing those who previously traveled this route with our airline partner JetBlue continuity of flights with Seaborne’s safe, reliable and friendly service.

He explained that everyday low fares offered by the airline do not require an advance purchase and can be even 40% less than competitor airlines.

For reservations, visit www.seaborneairlines.com. Travelers in the Dominican Republic may also call 809-566-8574.


Club Med and Tropicalia to mark tourism in Miches
Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda (5-Trident Club Med Miches) is under` construction and expected to open in 2021. The project is described as the largest Caribbean project for the Club Med chain in 40 years. The all-inclusive development is described as eco-chic resort offering themed boutique villages for those seeking romance, adventure and wellness.

Cisneros Real Estate announced it is borrowing US$119.5 million from IFC of the World Bank and BID Investment of the InterAmerican Development Bank to build the US$258-million costing Tropicalia, the Miches-based tourist development. A first development calls for a 169-room hotel and 24 residences facing the sea. The development promises to start a new trend in sustainable development.

Miches is located on the southside of the Samana Bay, north of the Punta Cana beach area. It is an approximately 100 km drive to the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).

https://ifcextapps.ifc.org/IFCExt/Pressroom/IFCPressRoom.nsf/0/7C208724FCDFEFD885258362005F58C0
 

SocialZealot

New member
Jan 11, 2012
141
0
0
www.socialzealot.com
I find this to be interesting information specifically regarding the POP news. Considering I work for several hotels in cabarete and all of them experienced record lows in 2018. The flights to POP are almost non-existent.