2004 Travel News Archive – Page 8

In a three-column, full-page announcement, the Ministry of Tourism prohibited the use of jet skis at most of the nation?s beaches. The basic concern of the authorities is the safety of swimmers at the beaches. As a result, jet skis will not be permitted at Boca Chica, Playa Caribe, Guayacanes, Juan Dolio, Villa del Mar, …

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A passenger from Madrid, Spain became the one millionth traveller to come through Punta Cana International Airport?s gates this year. In 2003, the airport reached the one-millionth mark for the first time in October. Punta Cana International Airport began operations in 1984 with two international flights a week, moving about 3,000 passengers in its first …

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The Punta Cana Group and the Punta Cana Foundation announced the start of classes at the Anne & Ted Kheel Polytech in Punta Cana. The privately-run technical high school boasts a new building with four classrooms and capacity for 120 students, at a cost of RD$20 million. The school serves low-income students in the communities …

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An early 20th century hotel has reopened in the Colonial City. The Antiguo Hotel Europe originally operated from 1930-1965 as a traditional hotel, standing out for the exquisite detail and design of its balconies with the characteristic ironwork of the period. The new owners, represented by Spanish businessman Alberto Barrera, have invested RD$100 million in …

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Wine growing in the Caribbean? The land and climate conditions of Neiba, in the province of Bahoruco (an easy three and a half hour drive west of Santo Domingo) have created what seems to be a miracle ? the first bottles of wine that could have been produced in any of the world’s best vineyards. …

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Spirit Airlines, the leading low-fare airline, announced today its daily non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale to Santo Domingo as of 18 November 2004. The flights offer connections to Atlantic City, Cancun, Chicago/O’Hare, NY/La Guardia, Providence and Washington, D.C./Reagan National. The flights to Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International come at a time the US Department of …

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US Airways expects to begin flying to Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport as of 13 February 2005. The flight will be part of the airline’s expansion in the Caribbean. “The addition of a Caribbean and Latin American gateway in South Florida allows us to continue our expansion …

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Sports writer Lang Whitaker didn’t get sent to cover the Olympics, so he decided to stage his own in the Dominican Republic and tell his story for the Sports Illustrated/CNN web site. He headed for Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, motivated by the resort’s reputation as one of the best sports and activities …

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The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) elected Enrique E. de Marchena Kaluche as president for the period September 2004-2006. De Marchena is also a past president of Asonahores? National Council of Promotion. A lawyer by profession, he is a current board member of the EMI Resorts that operates Sun Village in Puerto Plata. …

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Viva Wyndham Resorts hotel chain announced the January 2005 opening of its Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada. The chain has taken over the former Heavens hotel in Playa Dorada and is completely redoing it into a 204-room resort that will include 120 junior suites. The hotel is being given a Caribbean look. This will be the …

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