Travel – Page 490

Diario Libre highlights the issue of the Dominican Republic’s strict drug laws, and the fact that many tourists are unaware of their rigid nature. Tough penalties for visitors who break the law can have a negative impact on the country’s image. For this reason, information about the drug laws are to be made available at …

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AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, the world’s biggest carrier, may seek bankruptcy protection as early as this week in part because of the war in Iraq if cost-savings efforts fail to match the drop in revenue. The airline seeks to avoid bankruptcy but needs to restructure more than US$27 billion in debt and stem losses that …

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Rancho Cumayasa, the equestrian center-river ranch midway between La Romana and San Pedro de Macoris, honored the union of Central America and the Caribbean last Saturday. With the hoisting of flags of El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the eco tourism vacation center symbolically paid tribute to the close relations with …

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Slow Food, the organization that educates in matters of gastronomy and preaches a slower lifestyle, is active in the Dominican Republic. An educational tour of the Carrefour mega-store located on Autopista Duarte was held on Saturday and was followed up by an eight-course dinner prepared by French chef Perez at the restaurant of the School …

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Johnny Bernal, president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, told Hoy newspaper that hotels have not reported any significant cancellations of their bookings. He said that while the volume of reservations for the summer season is below normal levels, he nevertheless pointed out that the end of April and May are normally ?shoulder weeks? …

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The World Travel & Tourism Council had forecast that the Dominican Republic would see an increase of 4.4% in 2003, compared to 2002 travel statistics. In light of the war under way, however, WTTC expects the country to see a 0.3% loss. This difference of ?4.7%, is the additional negative impact associated with an inconclusive …

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Susie Castillo, whose father is Dominican and mother Puerto Rican, won the title of Miss USA 2003 last night in San Antonio, Texas. The former Miss Massachusetts will next represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant, to be held in Panama next May.  Castillo grew up speaking Spanish and has been modeling since …

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Princess Elena, the first-born daughter of King Juan Carlos de Borb?n and Queen Sofia of Spain and the second in line to the Spanish throne, spent her eighth wedding anniversary vacationing in the DR. The princess was married on 18 March 1995 to Jaime de Marichalar, son of Amalio de Marichalar, Count of Ripalda and …

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Tourism Minister Rafael Suberv? Bonilla feels the war in Iraq has not affected nor will it affect travel to the Dominican Republic. He said that present occupancy rates for the end of the winter season are very good. Indeed, over the weekend, hotels in Playa Dorada had overbookings and a steady stream of arrivals. Suberv? …

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With the purpose of strengthening restaurant operations, owners of Dominican restaurants have united to form the Asociaci?n Nacional de Restaurantes (Asonares). The nationwide organization?s board is presided over by Elizabeth Schecker (Restaurante Scherezade), Giancarlo Bonarelli (Vesuvio II), Catalina Henriquez (Reina de Espa?a), Titina Bonarelli (Vesuvio), Felipe Lopez (Casa de las Paellas), Marino D?az (Bucanero), Virginia …

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