Dominican Republic named Best International Destination at 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Awards

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic continues to be one of the world’s most beloved destinations, as evidenced by its latest accolade at the Condé Nast Traveler Awards, where the country was selected as the winner in the “Best International Destination” category.

“It’s easy to mistakenly think that the Dominican Republic is all about its idyllic beaches,” the magazine editorial stated in its awards announcement.

“And while it’s true that the white sand and the mesmerizing blue waters seem to etch themselves permanently in your memory, once you’re there, you’ll discover that your five senses will forever cherish its many other wonders: the mangú for breakfast – or the sancocho, or the habichuelas, or the tostones…–, the good humor and warmth of its people, the merengue as the soundtrack of everyday life…”, they added.

Finally, they assure that “the Dominican Republic doesn’t steal your heart, it kidnaps it so that you never want to leave its dreamlike landscapes and all the people who live in them.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Awards recognize the travel sector, awarding the best destinations, hotels and resorts, both nationally and internationally. Among the numerous award categories, there were awards for “Best City Hotel” to “Best Snow Hotel”, including “Best Design Hotel”.

The awards gala, chosen by popular vote, was hosted by Spanish actress Greta Fernández and featured special performances by Dominican artist Lennis Rodríguez and Spanish singer-songwriter Nil Moliner, who kicked off the party by performing his three most famous songs and brought the whole audience to their feet.

Dominican Republic aims to double tourist arrivals by maintaining tourism incentives

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has the potential to welcome twice as many tourists as its population, according to the president of the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), David Llibre. However, he emphasized the need to preserve the current tax structure, which includes incentives for the travel and tourism sector, to achieve this goal.

Llibre indirectly referred to the incentive laws that protect the Dominican Republic’s travel and tourism sector, such as those established in the Competitiveness Law (Law 158-01, modified by Law 193-13).

The country reached a milestone last year with 10 million visitors and is on track to reach nearly 12 million by the end of the first half of 2024, according to Llibre. He maintained that the Dominican Republic could even attract twice its population in tourists, a goal that could only be achieved through continued collaboration between the private and public sectors under the current fiscal framework.

“It’s a structure that has been called the ‘Competitiveness Law,’ which allows us to level the playing field with other industries and countries in our international competition. It’s what allows us to build new rooms, keep our offerings up-to-date, and maintain the growth in the number of visitors to the Dominican Republic,” stated the leader of the Dominican hotel sector.

He highlighted the efforts of businesses and authorities to develop new tourist destinations such as Puerto Plata with the Punta Bergantín project, the project to develop the southern region with the launch of the Cabo Rojo Pedernales project, and the boost being given to the Miches or Samaná destination, a destination that he said needs further work to increase both the number of rooms and the number of overnight visitors.

“As I said before, it’s not that we’ve reached the top because we should always aspire to more. That’s why Asonahores proposes to continue working hand in hand, as we have been doing so far with the authorities, to continue improving the experiences of our visitors,” expressed David Llibre.

He explained that when he mentions the word “experience,” he refers to both the tourist facilities that must continue to improve and update to continue offering new services to maintain the same or higher level than that of our competition.

He also spoke about improving experiences outside of tourist facilities that allow visitors to travel on safe, well-lit, and signposted roads so that their experience is more enriching and has a greater impact on nearby communities.

“The truth is that we believe that the Dominican Republic can even reach twice its population in tourists,” he reiterated, emphasizing that it is not a dream but a goal that has them working together under the current structure, a structure that has been called the “Competitiveness Law,” which allows them to level the playing field with other industries and countries at the level of our international competition.

Referring to the incentives in the Law, he said that this is what allows them to build new rooms, keep their offerings up-to-date and maintain the growth in the number of visitors to the Dominican Republic.

Collado highlights establishment of Good Practices Committee in MITUR

Santo Domingo.- Over 6.263 million pesos have been awarded during the monitoring process with the Observatory of Good Practices in the Ministry of Tourism.

“In four years, not a single cent from the Ministry of Tourism has gone missing,” stated Minister David Collado on Monday, highlighting the integrity of the tenders managed under his leadership.

Collado emphasized that to demonstrate the transparency of his administration, he requested the formation of a committee to oversee the institution’s bidding processes.

“We respect public funds, people’s funds. We have a clear conviction that transparency cannot be just a discourse in the media and social networks. We are committed from the heart to doing things completely differently, and that is what we are doing,” said the minister.

During a press conference attended by all committee representatives, Collado announced that future processes would be conducted at universities to provide students with practical knowledge.

Investment funds: catalysts for sustainable development in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Investment Fund Management Companies (Adosafi) emphasized the crucial role of investment funds in the Dominican Republic’s social and economic development at the UN’s Forum for Sustainability. Luis Madera, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPYD), called for the Government’s Campaign Program to include employees and investors, ensuring broader societal benefits from these funds.

Investment funds facilitate financial inclusion by allowing millions of Dominicans to participate in the country’s economic growth, with investment opportunities starting at RD$10,000. Santiago Sicard, CEO of Adosafi, highlighted their role in generating over 30,000 jobs and developing infrastructure such as roads, parks, and libraries. These initiatives also secure future pensions for many Dominicans.

Supporting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, investment funds in the Dominican Republic have invested over USD$1,600 million in 93 projects across 24 funds. Notably, in the energy sector, these funds have diversified energy sources and reduced carbon emissions significantly. Additionally, investment funds boost the tourism and real estate sectors, promoting community development, labor inclusion, and sustainable construction standards.

Santiago Sicard reiterated that investment funds create profitability and wealth for Dominicans while contributing to social and environmental development. Their transformative power in promoting and democratizing development and sustainability has increased interest among individuals, businesses, and government officials in these financial instruments. In summary, investment funds are catalysts for sustainable development, driving economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic to host Africa-Americas tourism summit

Punta Cana.- The Dominican Republic will host the first joint meeting of tourism leaders from Africa and the Americas, a landmark event to discuss the future of tourism in both regions. The meeting aims to enhance cooperation by leveraging shared cultural diversity and tourism products, promoting tourism development across Africa and the Americas.

The event, titled ‘1st Bi-regional Meeting of UN Tourism in Africa-America,’ will take place from October 3 to 4, 2024, in Punta Cana. Deputy Minister of Tourism Carlos Peguero highlighted the regions’ impressive natural attractions, rich cultural legacy, and untapped tourism potential as key elements for economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development.

Peguero emphasized the goal of strengthening South-South relations and cooperation while recognizing Africa’s historical and cultural impact on the Americas. This meeting is set against a backdrop of global interconnection, with South-South cooperation seen as crucial for promoting sustainable development and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Number of housing units increased 27.97%, according to the last census

Santo Domingo—According to the preliminary report published last Thursday by the 10th National Population and Housing Census, 3,694,060 dwellings are occupied in the Dominican Republic.
According to the data, this represents 83.7% of the total number of dwellings in the Dominican Republic. The preliminary report shared by the National Statistics Office (ONE) does not specify the number of occupied and unoccupied dwellings in the country.

This figure registers an increase of 27.97% (1,033,198) in dwellings, according to the Ninth National Population and Housing Census of 2010, which registered 2,662,862 households.
The Tenth National Population and Housing Census details the number of households by province.
The demarcations registering the greatest growth in housing are the province of Santo Domingo, with 934,478 homes, up from 661,583 in 2010, an increase of 29.2%.

It is followed by the National District, which, according to the data offered by the National Statistics Office (ONE), has 363,153. For 2010, 288,362 were registered, an increase of 20.59%.
In Santo Domingo and the National District, some 766,044 homes are in urban areas and 168,434 in rural areas.
Meanwhile, the number of homes by province shows that in Santiago, there are 374,098 homes, making it the third province with the highest number.

The provinces with the fewest homes are located in the border area: Pedernales, with 10,298 houses; Independencia, with 18,360; and Elías Piña, with 18,892 dwellings.

While in La Vega province, there are 152,436 homes; in Puerto Plata, 124,053; in Spaillat, they register 81,602; in La Altagracia 170,732; Sanchez Ramirez, in 57,067; in Monseñor Nouel, 67,597; in Duarte, 109,774; in María Trinidad Sánchez, 56,920; in Hermanas Mirabal province, 33,887; in Samaná, 41,550; in Dajabón, 25,165; in Monte Cristi, 44,979; in Santiago Rodríguez 22,754; in Valverde there are 64,896 domiciles; in Peravia 69,233; in San Cristóbal, 221,397; in San José de Ocoa 25,777; in Bahoruco, 32,987; in Barahona 61,481; in Azua, 75,109; in San Juan 81,574; in El Seibo 34,784; in La Altagracia, 170,732; in La Romana 95,496; in San Pedro de Macorís 115,907; in Monte Plata 71,929 and Hato Mayor with 35,695 homes.
47% are zinc roofs

Of this amount, 47.5% of the homes, according to the 2022 Census, have zinc roofs, while 50.9% have concrete roofs.
According to ONE, 50.9% of homes have cement floors. Another 34.1% are ceramic tiles, and 10.4% are mosaics, which are architectural and handmade finishes.

As for the type of walls, the X National Census indicated that 82% of the homes have walls built of block or concrete, and 13% of the walls are made of wood.
Other Data

The Census showed that as of 2022, there were 10,773,983 inhabitants in the country. Of this total, children under five years of age represent 8.2% of the population.
Those under 15 years of age represented 25%. The population aged 65 and over is over 9%, and the 75 and over population is around 3.7%.

It also specifies that the population growth rate has declined to 1.11% since the beginning of the last century.

Hotel, bar and restaurant sector records growth of 9.2 %

Santo Domingo—The Central Bank, in the interest of keeping economic agents and the public opinion in general duly informed and as part of its institutional commitment to transparency and timely disclosure of data under its responsibility, informs the preliminary results of economic activity as of May 2024.

Hotels, bars, and restaurants exhibited an accumulated inter-annual variation of 9.2 % from January to May 2024. This remarkable dynamism was largely supported by the arrival of 3,716,262 tourists by air during the first five months of the year and 1,284,635 excursionists, for a total of 5,000,897 visitors from January to May 2024. Likewise, the consolidated credit portfolio directed to the sector increased by 27.6% compared to May 2023.

Construction, which has a significant multiplying and dragging effect on other economic sectors, showed a year-on-year growth of 4.4% in January-May 2024. This activity is expected to perform better in the coming months as the impact on the expectations of the content of the reforms that could be implemented this year clears.

On the other hand, local manufacturing recorded an average year-on-year increase of 2.7% during the first five months of 2024, mainly supported by the performance of different food products and base metals manufacturing. Likewise, the 5.8 % year-on-year expansion in the real value added of free trade zone manufacturing is primarily explained by exports amounting to US$3,469.0 million in January-May 2024.

Agricultural activity showed an inter-annual growth of 4.0 % in January-May of this year, with increases in the production of rice, banana, avocado, chicken, and eggs, among others. The technical and financial support to agricultural producers at the national level provided by the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has had an important impact.

Finally, all economic activities recorded a positive performance in January-May 2024, with the exception of Mining, whose 16.5% drop is mainly explained by the temporary cessation of operations of the ferronickel extraction company since December 2023 and the slowdown in the gold extraction process due to the readjustment plan of facilities required for the continuity of the mining activity in the country’s main deposit.

Civil Defense activates protocols ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s possible impact

Santo Domingo.- The executive director of Civil Defense, Juan Salas, convened with the provincial directors of the protection institution after meeting with President Luis Abinader at the National Palace. This meeting aimed to activate necessary protocols and preventive measures in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl potentially impacting the Dominican Republic.

In a press release, the president of the National Emergency Commission (CNE) emphasized that the “orange heroes” are preparing for the worst-case scenario, prioritizing the protection of lives and property should the hurricane affect the nation. “As directed by President Abinader, we are committed to acting early to safeguard lives. Beryl is a powerful hurricane, and its effects could be felt across much of the national territory; this is why we must act in a coordinated manner with local governments and other emergency response institutions,” stated Juan Salas.

Salas urged provincial directors to coordinate with governors and mayors to activate provincial and municipal Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committees (PMR). He explained that Civil Defense, in collaboration with other National System for Prevention, Mitigation, and Response to Disasters organizations, is implementing preventive measures such as rural area alerting, tree pruning, ravine and culvert cleaning, and power line verification with electricity distribution companies.

The Civil Defense has georeferenced potential shelters nationwide, accessible by scanning the QR code on their website, www.defensacivil.gob.do, and social media. For guidance, the public can also call 809-472-8617.

Hurricane Beryl intensifies

Santo Domingo.- Hurricane Beryl has intensified as it nears the Windward Islands, posing a significant threat with dangerous winds and storm surges, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The cyclone’s approach has led to the cancellation of the annual Caribbean Community (Caricom) summit, which was scheduled from Wednesday to Friday in Grenada.

Beryl is currently classified as an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (130 miles per hour). The latest NHC bulletin places the hurricane 125 kilometers (70 miles) east of Grenada and 165 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Saint Vincent.

The NHC, based in Miami, Florida, has issued hurricane warnings for Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. There are also tropical storm warnings for Martinique, Trinidad, and Saint Lucia. Beryl, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is moving west at 31 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour).

So far, the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1, has seen three tropical storms: Alberto, Beryl, and Chris. Chris formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and made landfall in Lechuguillas, a town in the southern Mexican state of Veracruz. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a highly active hurricane season this year, with up to 13 hurricanes, including seven major ones, and a total of 17 to 25 storms with winds exceeding 62 kilometers per hour.

Source: EFE

Dominican Republic issues $750 Million green bonds

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has issued green bonds for the first time in its history, totaling US$750 million. These bonds achieved a rate of 6.70%, approximately 15 basis points lower than what would have been achieved with other non-thematic financing instruments of a similar term.

Jochi Vicente, the head of the Treasury, explained that the funds obtained from this issuance will be used for green expenditures, as outlined in the country’s first Reference Framework for Green, Social, and Sustainable Bonds, published last week. This initiative not only implies savings for public finances due to the lower financing cost but also supports projects aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, to which the Dominican Republic is highly vulnerable. These projects will help protect public infrastructure and the population from climate-related impacts.

The green bonds received demand from foreign investors in global capital markets that was six times higher than the amount issued. This significant interest demonstrates confidence in the Dominican Government’s commitment to environmental protection, social needs, and sustainable development, as well as the robust performance of the Dominican economy.

“Each time we access international capital markets, we receive notable support, which is partly due to our effective public debt management,” highlighted Vicente.

María José Martínez, the Vice Minister of Public Credit, noted that these green bonds are part of a sustainable emissions program included in the 2024-2028 debt strategy. This program aligns with the goals set in the National Development Strategy 2030.

“The inclusion of thematic bonds in our financing plan not only promotes environmental and social benefits but also exemplifies our commitment to transparency in public debt management and diversifies our investor base,” emphasized Martínez.

Additionally, this operation was complemented by the repurchase of US$1,009 million of an external bond maturing in 2025. To facilitate this repurchase and to cover part of the 2024 General State Budget financing needs, RD$105,000 million of an external bond in local currency maturing in 2036 and US$500 million of a reopening maturing in 2031 were issued.

These operations have significantly impacted the debt portfolio of the non-financial public sector by decreasing the percentage of foreign currency financing and increasing the average maturity time of the global bond portfolio.

Tourism Minister meets with U.S. Transportation Secretary to discuss aviation progress

United States.- David Collado, the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, recently met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss advancements in Dominican aviation, including the newly enacted Aviation Law.

Secretary Buttigieg commended the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader, and Minister Collado for their swift progress in aviation. He also praised the Dominican technical team for addressing all FAA audit observations, securing the country’s permanence in Category 1 status, with the recent approval of the aviation law being a critical step.

President Abinader had appointed a commission to oversee these efforts, led by Minister Collado, businessman Manuel Estrella, and Civil Aviation Director Héctor Porcella. This commission was instrumental in finalizing the open skies agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States, a negotiation that had been pending for over two decades.

Minister Collado’s visit to Secretary Buttigieg’s office in Washington, D.C., was accompanied by a national delegation, including Civil Aviation Director Héctor Porcella and Vice Minister of Tourism Patricia Mejía, among others.

Secrets Cap Cana achieves Five Diamond Award for third consecutive year

Punta Cana.- For the third consecutive year, the luxurious Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa, part of the Inclusive Collection under World of Hyatt, has won the prestigious “Five Diamond” award at the AAA Diamond Awards, hosted by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

“Being awarded AAA Five Diamonds for the third consecutive year is the result of the great effort of our colleagues, who strive every day to offer our guests the best services and to enjoy the majestic facilities offered by Secrets Cap Cana,” stated Lionel Gómez, general manager of Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa.

He detailed that achieving this category requires meeting stringent criteria, including exceptional hospitality, cleanliness, property setting, room decor, 24-hour room service, excellent lighting, luxury amenities, comfort, security, and comprehensive services and facilities.

The diamond rating is conducted annually by a team of professional evaluators who inspect over 29,000 participating properties. Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa consistently met all established requirements, offering luxurious facilities and personalized service to earn this distinction once again.

To obtain the AAA Five Diamond rating, the hotel must also ensure easy access and amenities for people with disabilities, implement a robust environmental conservation program, and maintain impeccable facilities, among other criteria.

Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa is an exclusive, adults-only hotel featuring 457 suites with stunning ocean views or spectacular landscapes. The resort offers a selection of seven à la carte restaurants, a diverse buffet, a grill, and six bars catering to all tastes, along with 24-hour room service. These amenities promise an unparalleled experience of comfort and hospitality.

Advancements in the Dominican Republic’s energy transition

Santo Domingo.- The energy transition involves shifting from an electricity production system based on fossil fuels—such as coal, petroleum derivatives, and natural gas—to one dominated by renewable and clean sources like water, sun, wind, and biomass.

According to the “2023 Climatescope Ranking” by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), which assesses the attractiveness of markets for foreign investment in energy transition, the Dominican Republic has improved its international standing. It moved from 45th to 43rd place out of 140 countries. In emerging markets, it rose from 22nd to 20th place among 110 nations, and in the Latin American and Caribbean region, it advanced from 7th to 6th place.

A press release from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) states that this achievement has been recognized by organizations such as the Latin American Energy Organization (Olade) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

In 2023, the World Economic Forum placed the Dominican Republic in 88th position in its global ranking of countries in energy transition, scoring 50.7, the best position for the country in the past nine years.

The MEM highlights that the country’s renewable electricity generation capacity grew from 555.5 MW in 2020 to 1,126.25 MW by the end of 2023, marking over 103% growth in three years. Currently, more than 1,300 MW of photovoltaic projects are under construction. During peak times between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, renewable sources contribute over 35% to the system, approximately 890 MW.

The increase in clean energy reduces spot market prices and decreases fossil fuel consumption and imports, leading to less pollution and reduced foreign energy dependence.

To support these efforts, President Luis Abinader issued Decree 65-23, updating the Renewable Energy Incentives Law (Law 57-07) to enhance transparency and eliminate uncertainties in renewable contracting processes.

In 2023, foreign direct investment in the energy sector, along with tourism, led the national economy, totaling US$1,071 million.

Five new multipurpose facilities coming to Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- The Dominican Government has launched an ambitious plan to build five multipurpose sports clubs in the country, with a total investment of over 200 million pesos. The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports (Miderec) and the Presidential Commission to Support Provincial Development, aims to provide modern facilities for sports, education, and community development.

At an event held at the Gregorio Luperón Club in Puerto Plata, Administrative Minister Igor Rodríguez Durán presented a certificate worth 105 million 744 thousand 607 pesos and 45 cents to Minister of Sports Francisco Camacho, marking the start of the construction of basketball roofs for five iconic clubs: Gregorio Luperón, 12 de Octubre, Gustavo Behal, Hugo Kunhardt, and Miramar League.

Miderec will be responsible for constructing sports centers at Gregorio Luperón, 12 de Octubre, and Miramar League clubs, while the Presidential Commission to Support Provincial Development will build facilities at Gustavo Behal and Hugo Kunhardt.

Minister Camacho emphasized that the current government, led by President Luis Abinader, has made significant investments in sports infrastructure, with over 185 school sports facilities being built or renovated. He noted that this investment is crucial for the development of children and young people, as it combines physical activity with education and helps to build a better nation.

Camacho also praised Rodríguez Durán’s efforts in facilitating the construction and renovation of sports facilities across the country. “I hope to have Igor (Rodríguez) in sports because the youth of our country needs him,” he said, referring to Rodríguez Durán’s commitment to supporting sports development.

The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local communities, providing safe and modern facilities for athletes of all ages to practice their favorite sports.

Launch of English Program for Employability in Pedernales

Pedernales, DR.- The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCyT) and the tourism sector of Pedernales province have announced the launch of the English Program for Employability, aimed at tourism workers in the Southern region.

Franklin García Fermín, head of MESCyT, stated that the program’s first stage will impact 10,000 students in the southern area. He emphasized that Pedernales is experiencing significant development, particularly in the tourism industry, making it crucial to enhance service quality through the training of skilled human resources.

Provincial governor Altagracia Brea de González encouraged all citizens to seize every opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills. “There is no better place for a Pedernales resident to have more opportunities than in their own land,” she remarked.

Carlos Peguero, vice minister of tourism for International Cooperation and executive director of the Pedernales Tourism Development Project, highlighted the government’s shift from promises to actions. “We are preparing the people to receive the positive impact that is coming. This will be the first destination in the Caribbean and Latin America designed with sustainability from the beginning,” he concluded.

Bishop Andrés Napoleón Romero Cárdenas of the Diocese of Barahona underscored the importance of supporting development projects that benefit the Southern region. “We are glad that your eyes, hands, and hearts are focused on continuing to create interesting initiatives for this great province, which has waited patiently for many years,” he added.

English for Employability

The English Program for Employability is based on a self-learning platform aligned with all levels of the Common European Framework, offering over 2,000 hours of content, multimedia material, and interactive exercises with voice recognition for pronunciation. Students can achieve English proficiency from A1 to C2 levels, including industry-specific English. The program features daily classes, learning tools, a translator, standardized leveling tests, progress monitoring, a grammar and pronunciation lab, articles, and other resources.

WTTC predicts 9% increase in Dominican Republic tourist spending for 2024

Santo Domingo.- The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts a record-breaking year for the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector in 2024. International visitor spending is projected to increase by nearly 9% compared to 2019, reaching US$10,400 million. Domestic tourism spending is also expected to achieve a historic high at $3,700 million, marking a 6.5% increase from 2019 levels.

According to the Economic Impact Research (EIR) 2024, conducted by WTTC in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the tourism industry will contribute $19,400 million to the Dominican Republic’s GDP, representing a 12.6% rise from pre-pandemic levels. By the end of 2024, the sector is anticipated to provide over 841,000 jobs, constituting more than 17% of total employment in the country.

WTTC’s analysis across 185 countries highlights the Dominican Republic as one of 98 destinations that surpassed GDP contribution records in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by over 8%. Currently, the tourism sector accounts for 15.3% of the national economy, contributing $18,700 million.

Dominican Republic sets record with 121 new air routes in 2024

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic established a record 121 new air routes to various global destinations in the first five months of 2024, announced Dr. José Ernesto Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), at the organization’s eleventh full-body meeting.

Dr. Piantini also revealed that within this period, a total of 60,043 air operations were approved, including 3,034 flights with special permits and 3,119 non-regular or charter flights. These operations have generated an estimated direct and indirect income of $7.646 million for the country.

He emphasized that the increase in air operations will be crucial in enhancing the connectivity of the Dominican Republic as the new government under President Luis Abinader takes office on August 16.

“The addition of new air routes during the first five months of the year has expanded and strengthened the country’s connectivity with the Caribbean, South America, and Europe,” Dr. Piantini stated.

To sustain this growth in passenger air transport, the Civil Aviation Board reviewed World2Fly’s request for a permit renewal and Neos’ request for a special permit to operate routes including Verona/Rome/La Romana; Verona/La Romana/Montego Bay; Rome/La Romana; and Malpensa/Punta Cana/Cartagena, with a frequency of one flight each.

Statistics from the JAC Air Transport Department indicate that from January 2023 to May 2024, Neos transported 143,939 passengers through 554 air operations on authorized routes. Meanwhile, World2Fly carried 466,387 passengers in 1,246 air operations between January 2021 and May 2024. Dr. Piantini noted that both national and foreign airlines operating in the country remain confident about the sector’s future, which bodes well for improving air transport efficiency in the Dominican Republic.

Airports receive recertification for carbon footprint reduction

Santo Domingo.- The International Airports Council of Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) has announced that the six airports in the Dominican Republic operated by Aerodom and Vinci Airports have retained their Level 3 (Optimization) certification in the Carbon Footprint Accreditation (ACA) Program.

In a press release, Aerodom explained that Level 3 certification is awarded to airports that not only map their carbon footprint but also reduce emissions according to set criteria. These airports also work to influence third-party operations at their facilities, encouraging airlines and service providers to adopt CO2 reduction measures.

Carbon emissions at each airport are independently verified in compliance with ISO 14064 (greenhouse gas accounting) and based on tangible evidence.

Aerodom has continued expanding its solar generation capacity over the past year, installing panels on the roofs of Las Américas, José Francisco Peña Gómez, La Isabela, Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, and Gregorio Luperón International Airports. Aerodom is now the leading private generator of solar energy for self-consumption in the country, significantly reducing emissions from airport operations.

The ACA program evaluates and acknowledges airports’ efforts to identify and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Aerodom first achieved Level 1 “Mapping” certification in 2018, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Aerodom and Vinci Airports received Level 3 certification for Las Américas, José Francisco Peña Gómez International Airport in Santo Domingo; Dr. Joaquín Balaguer Airport in Santo Domingo Norte; Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata; María Montez International Airport in Barahona; President Juan Bosch International Airport in Samaná; and the Arroyo Barril Aerodrome in Samaná.

Mónika Infante Henríquez, CEO of Aerodom, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental impact reduction, as evidenced by this certification.

“Aerodom remains dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices in the airport industry. Achieving recertification at Level 3 in the Carbon Footprint Accreditation Program is a significant milestone. We will continue to work with our airport community to implement additional initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions across all our terminals,” said Infante Henríquez.

The ACA Program is the only globally recognized carbon management certification for airports, assessing and acknowledging efforts to manage and reduce carbon emissions through seven levels of certification: ‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimization’, ‘Neutrality’, ‘Transformation’, ‘Transition’, and ‘Balance’.

Five new multipurpose facilities coming to Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- The Dominican Government has launched an ambitious plan to build five multipurpose sports clubs in the country, with a total investment of over 200 million pesos. The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports (Miderec) and the Presidential Commission to Support Provincial Development, aims to provide modern facilities for sports, education, and community development.

At an event held at the Gregorio Luperón Club in Puerto Plata, Administrative Minister Igor Rodríguez Durán presented a certificate worth 105 million 744 thousand 607 pesos and 45 cents to Minister of Sports Francisco Camacho, marking the start of the construction of basketball roofs for five iconic clubs: Gregorio Luperón, 12 de Octubre, Gustavo Behal, Hugo Kunhardt, and Miramar League.

Miderec will be responsible for constructing sports centers at Gregorio Luperón, 12 de Octubre, and Miramar League clubs, while the Presidential Commission to Support Provincial Development will build facilities at Gustavo Behal and Hugo Kunhardt.

Minister Camacho emphasized that the current government, led by President Luis Abinader, has made significant investments in sports infrastructure, with over 185 school sports facilities being built or renovated. He noted that this investment is crucial for the development of children and young people, as it combines physical activity with education and helps to build a better nation.

Camacho also praised Rodríguez Durán’s efforts in facilitating the construction and renovation of sports facilities across the country. “I hope to have Igor (Rodríguez) in sports because the youth of our country needs him,” he said, referring to Rodríguez Durán’s commitment to supporting sports development.

The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local communities, providing safe and modern facilities for athletes of all ages to practice their favorite sports.

Arajet to begin operations at Punta Cana International Airport

Punta Cana.- Dominican low-cost airline Arajet and the Puntacana Group announced on Sunday that Arajet flights will begin operating from Punta Cana International Airport starting November 1st.

Frank Elías Rainieri, Executive President of the Puntacana Group, and Víctor Pacheco, Founder and President of Arajet, highlighted the significant impact this partnership will have on increasing passenger numbers for Arajet and boosting tourism in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.

Pacheco stated that Punta Cana International Airport will become Arajet’s second base, allowing the airline to connect this popular tourist area with its extensive network of destinations and over 200 connection combinations. The primary base for Arajet will remain at Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo.

“We are committed to ensuring that Arajet continues to be the airline for all Dominicans. That is why we aim to operate from all airports in the country, providing opportunities to travel to various destinations at the lowest market prices,” Pacheco added.

Rainieri expressed gratitude to Arajet for choosing Punta Cana Airport and involving them in their expansion plans, which will promote tourism and economic growth in the country.

“We are delighted to welcome Arajet as commercial partners to our airport community. We are confident that this alliance will be successful. With these new routes, we continue to expand our network of destinations and connections internationally, positioning ourselves as the most important airport in the Dominican Republic,” Rainieri said.

Punta Cana Airport handles 68% of the country’s tourist air traffic, connecting with 75 cities in 34 countries through 58 airlines, and serves over 9 million passengers annually.

Arajet’s specific destinations from Punta Cana will be announced at a later date.

Arajet was the leading Dominican airline in terms of passenger movement in the first four months of 2024, accounting for 8% of total passengers transported in the country last May.