2003 – Page 37

The World Tourism Organization recently released its 2005 statistical report. The report shows that the Caribbean received 19.2 million international tourist arrivals, or 14.4% of total international tourist arrivals to the Americas in 2005. Growth for 2006 in the Americas is forecast to be a modest 3%. In its commentary on results for 2005 in …

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Grupo NH Hoteles of Spain announces they have signed an association with Cap Cana on the East Coast of the Dominican Republic for the 50-50% joint ownership and development of a luxury resort property. NH Hoteles will build a 90-room boutique hotel with a gourmet restaurant on the beach and 350 luxury apartments. The joint …

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Yolanda Manan, public relations spokeswoman for Aerodom, the airports management authority, has announced that the new airport for Samana at El Catey would be opening this November. She said that they are expecting to open with flights from Europe and the United States headed for Samana. She explained that Aerodom has invested US$45 million. The …

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The Dominican Republic has received a good year-end review in the Canadian travel press. Laura Robin, writing for CanWest News service reviews different destinations in the DR that she feels are of interest to Canadian tourists. The report looks into the growing popularity of the Dominican Republic for Canadian tourists. http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/travel/story.html?…

The association of hotels of Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata has announced the release of the third edition of their Playa Dorada magazine. The magazine carries features on the botanical gardens atop the Isabel de Torres Mountain, action-packed days in Cabarete, the hotels that opened in 2005 in Playa Dorada, artist Ramon Pena’s work, Centro …

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Sol Melia’s new Paradisus Palma Real is now accepting visitors of all ages in Punta Cana. This all-inclusive luxury hotel, built next door to the Melia Caribe Tropical, has 600 suites, including 102 suites, and two presidential suites, that have been set apart for even more luxury, with the personalized royal service program. On the …

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Counting on the slated November 2006 opening of the El Catey, Samana airport, the Grupo Pinero that operates the Bahia Principe brand in the Dominican Republic has announced it is making a US$60 million investment to purchase and remodel four hotels in Samana, with 900 rooms. The Spanish chain already operates the Bahia Principe in …

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The USA Today this week highlights how an increasing number of US baseball fans are traveling to the DR to follow the players as they go to bat for their local teams. Santo Domingo and Santiago, not known for beaches, are two favorite sites for baseball outings. See http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2006-01-25-dominican-winter-league_x.htm

The New York Times has chosen the Dominican Republic as its Family Destination of the Year. In its 22 January Sunday edition, the influential daily publishes a story by Caren Osten Gerszberg where she says that the country is becoming increasingly better known for its “growing number of family-centered resorts with activities ranging from windsurfing …

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The Canadian group that operates the Sun Village Resort & Spa in Cofresi, Puerto Plata will be opening a sister hotel in Juan Dolio, along the southeastern coast of the country. The Elliot Group has taken over the former Melia Caribe and will be reopening it as a 240-room hotel with casino, and access to …

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