2004 Travel News Archive – Page 9

Competitiveness index

The Dominican Republic has ranked well in the 2004 Competitiveness Monitor of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The DR scored average indexes in all categories except technology, where it fell below average. The comparative overview of the extent to which over 200 countries offer a competitive framework for the development of tourism analyzes …

Minister of Tourism Felucho Jimenez

Felix (Felucho) Jimenez was appointed Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. He had held the post during the first Fernandez administration, from 1996-2000. Jimenez, in his private life is a professional real estate developer, including a major residential development in the Punta Cana area. He has also for years been very active in Dominican …

Cigar benefit

The Fuentes cigar foundation, The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation announces the celebration of the ?Toast Across America 2004? for 7 October. The foundation has offices in Washington Heights, home to the largest Dominican population abroad, and where the fund-raiser will be held this year. The event brings together over 5,000 cigar enthusiasts, from 50 states, …

Columbus at the Lighthouse

After years of debating whether the remains of Christopher Columbus at the Columbus Lighthouse in Santo Domingo were those of the famous admiral, Spanish investigators under Marcial Castro finally accept the truth. The investigators had hoped to prove Columbus was buried at Seville?s cathedral, instead. Now the Spaniards say the most recent investigations have proved …

Ocean World is very popular

According to reports from the Ocean World Park management, the Cofresi, Puerto Plata acuatics park received a record 1,000 paying customers on Sunday, 15 August. The management attributed the record visitors to the long weekend and their aggressive domestic advertising campaign. Legal residents in the DR, regardless of whether being foreigners or Dominicans, have benefited …

VIP tourists for President inaugural

Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbon and his new wife Letizia will be here for the inauguration of President-elect Leonel Fernandez on Monday, 16 August. Prince Felipe has visited the DR several times and also attended Fernandez?s previous Presidential inauguration in 1996. The presidents of Costa Rica Abel Pacheco, Nicaragua, Enrique Bolanos Geyer, Hugo Chavez, …

New lighting for colonial city

The Association of Commercial Banks of the Dominican Republic has donated 351 lamps and necessary equipment to restore full lighting to the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The banks issued a RD$1.5 million check to the Pro Turismo Cultural movement coordinated by architect manuel del Monte Urraca. President of the ABA, Jose Manuel Lopez Valdes …

Spirit to the DR?

Spirit could join Jet Blue in the offering of low cost travel into the Dominican Republic. The airline recently announced it would increase its service from South Florida to the Caribbean. While unconfirmed, a Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International flight to the DR could be in the future plans for Spirit. The DR is riding an …

United to fly to Punta Cana

United will link the United States? Midwest to the Dominican Republic when it begins flying to Punta Cana as of December. United thus becomes the first US airline to offer a direct regular flight to the DR from the important Chicago O?Hare hub. The flight to Punta Cana will leave Chicago?s O?Hare (ORD) at 8:30am …

Lovewrecked filmed on North Coast beaches

A family-oriented movie to be released in spring or summer 2005 is being filmed along the North Coast at the beaches of Cofresi (Puerto Plata) and La Entrada (Maria Trinidad Sanchez). Starring Amanda Bynes, who plays Jenny, and co-starring Chris Carmack as Jason, the romantic comedy is being directed by Randal Kleiser of ?Grease? and …

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