Dominican Republic News

Santo Domingo: The Capital of Caribbean Gastronomic Culture

The Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy and the Dominican Academy of Gastronomy recently presented the decree that officially names the city of Santo Domingo as the “Capital of the Gastronomic Culture of the Caribbean 2017-2018.” The decree recognizes the country's exquisite top gastronomic culture. The awards were issued during the “SDQ Gastronomic 2017,” a top-culinary festival where national and international chefs presented their best creations. The Festival organizers recognized the following restaurants: Bottega Fratelli, Shibuya and The Times.

http://www.accessdr.com/2017/07/santo-domingo-the-capital-of-caribbean-gastronomic-culture/

Dominican Music “Festival Presidente” Scheduled for November

Festival organizers announced that the Caribbean and the country's most important music festival will be held 3-5 November 2017. American pop star Justin Timberlake, Puerto Rican idol Ricky Martin, Colombians J. Balvin, Maluma and Carlos Vives and Dominican great Juan Luis Guerra will participate in the three-day event.  The traditional festival is organized by the country's famous Presidente beer and the venue will be Santo Domingo's Olympic Stadium.

Dominican Cocoa is the Best in the World

The “Hispaniola” chocolate bar, made with organic cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, recently won the coveted “Golden Bean Award” presented in London. The contest brings together the best cocoa producers in the world.

The hand-made “Hispaniola” chocolate bar is produced by the Almonte's Tiny Hummingbird Chocolate Company, and using only Dominican organic cocoa.

More than 580 chocolates from all over the world participated in the event, evaluated by more than 40 world-class experts. The award is sponsored by the Chocolate Academy in London, where the Hispaniola chocolate bar – which won its first award in 2016 – beat some 14 other participants.

Puntacana Resorts & Club Will Host PGA Tour 2018 Championship

Puntacana Resorts & Club recently announced that it will host a PGA Tour tournament in its award-winning “Los Corales” championship golf course. Frank Rainieri, founder and president of the Puntacana Group, announced that the resort's top golf courses – all designed by world-famous architects – will turn the Punta Cana tourism region into a key golf destination in Latin America. The tournament will place the Dominican Republic among the top golf destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

http://www.accessdr.com/2017/05/puntacana-resorts-club-will-host-pga-tour-2018-championship/

Increase in European Tourists Travelling to the Dominican Republic

The number of European tourists travelling to the Dominican Republic from Europe jumped by an impressive 21.7% during the first half of 2017. During this period, some 713,212 European visitors arrived in the country, which represented an increase of 123,703 tourists during the same period in 2016. The biggest increase in visitor numbers was Russia (80,907), followed by England (9,895), Germany (6,656), France (5,156), Switzerland (5,062) and Spain (3,893). For full stats please email pr.uk@godominicanrepublic.com

Punta Cana Receives 66.9% of all Tourists Visiting the Dominican Republic

From January through May, Punta Cana's international airport received 66.9% of all passengers visiting the country. Approximately 1.6 million tourists arrived through the airport, representing a 9% growth during the same time period last year.

Santo Domingo's Las Americas international airport and Puerto Plata's airport, on the north coast, received 15.8%

and 10.3%, respectively, with the arrival of 626,670 visitors. The airports in La Romana, Santiago, La Isabela (Santo Domingo's local airport) and El Catey, in the northeast province of Samana, handled 7% of all arrivals.

Hotel News

HYATT ZIVATM AND HYATT ZILARATM CAP CANA - YOUR EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK - The Playa Hotels & Resorts Corporation recently began the construction of two Hyatt brand all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana, in the Cap Cana resort, in the Dominican Republic's easternmost region.

The family-oriented Hyatt Ziva and the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana will feature 375 rooms that will overlook the spectacular Juanillo Beach. The two hotels will also feature a convention centre, meeting rooms, theme restaurants, bars, a theatre, shops and an aquatic park to be enjoyed by children and adults. Each hotel will operate independently, offering guests top-rated restaurants and bars. Located only 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, the new oceanfront property touts over 1,300 square meters of stunning white sand beaches.

http://www.accessdr.com/2017/07/the-hyatt-brand-now-in-punta-cana-with-two-new-hotels/

Catalonia Opens New Adults-Only Hotel in Bayahibe

The Catalonia Hotels & Resorts recently opened a new facility in Bayahibe – on the country's eastern region – its fifth hotel in the Dominican Republic. The Catalonia Royal La Romana is the resort's second adults-only hotel in the country. The all-inclusive hotel features 117 rooms, six restaurants, three bars, various swimming pools, free Wi-Fi throughout the premises and personalized services.

ROOMS

• The hotel's rooms are 35-39 square meters, with a full terrace.
• The Duplex Swimming Pool Suites are 54 square meters, distributed on two floors.
  The first floor features a living room, bathroom and a terrace with a private swimming pool. There is one bedroom in the second floor and a full bath.
• The Honeymoon Swim Up is the perfect destination for newlyweds, featuring a full-decked terrace with exclusive access to the swimming pool.

Karisma to Open Margaritaville Resort in Dominican Republic

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand is coming to the Dominican Republic.

Karisma Hotels is planning a major new expansion in the Dominican Republic, highlighted by a new Margaritaville all-inclusive project in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina announced this week. Karisma is also developing El Dorado and Sensimar-branded resorts, with a total planned investment of $300 million in the destination, according to the government. The new Margaritaville will begin construction in 2018, with a projected total of 350 rooms and a family-friendly profile.

The new Margaritaville project comes after Karisma and Margaritaville announced a partnership at the beginning of 2017 to develop a portfolio of all-inclusive properties called Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience by Karisma, a push that is likely to extend around the Caribbean. “Our partnership with Margaritaville, an esteemed brand filled with flavour, fun, and a likeminded desire to delight travellers with unforgettable vacation experiences, allows us to introduce a collection of new casual luxury resorts set in stunning tropical destinations,” said Mandy Chomat, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in a statement after finalizing the partnership.

Occidental Punta Cana was recently renovated and is now part of the Barceló Brand: The Property recently renovated to ensure guests have a unique experience; one that will exceed all of their expectations, the Occidental Punta Cana is an Idyllic, tropical destination where relaxation and entertainment go hand-in-hand. Located directly on the Bavaro Coastline in the Dominican Republic, this corner of paradise is nothing short of spectacular. The property is surrounded by the finest white sands and tranquil, turquoise waters of Cortecito beach.  This is a place where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, revel in the spectacular views, or simply immerse yourself in a state of total relaxation.

The Occidental Punta Cana is part of the Barceló Group of hotels. The All Inclusive plan at the Occidental Punta Cana offers an infinite variety of culinary options, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails, as well as, day and nocturnal entertainment programs, shows every night, Live Music, Mangú Disco, 3 swimming pools, weekly beach parties, sports, aquatic sports and games, Kids' Club and Games Room, so guests can fully enjoy their holidays. For any further information, please see www.occidentalhotels.com  - www.barcelo.com

VH Hotels & Resorts will be opening the new VH Atmosphere, Adults Only Resort & Beach Club December 2017. Opening date is schedule from December 01st 2017 onwards, ideal for couples and honeymooners, and adults overall experience, minimum check in age is +18. Golfers can also enjoy the proximity of the Playa Dorada Golf Course which is only some steps away.  The property has already signed an agreement with TUI UK to include the new VH Atmosphere in their POP program for 2018. www.vhhr.com

Hodelpa Hotels & Resorts becomes the chain of greater presence in Dominican Republic - The hotel chain Hodelpa presented its recent hotel offer, where this encompasses hotels in strategic destinations of the island, such as Santiago, Santo Domingo, Juan Dolio and Ciudad Colonial (Colonial City). Its city hotels have modern, emblematic and charming structures. Spacious and comfortable rooms. Enriched with the best selected variety of amenities and technology, Business assistance services, conference rooms, restaurants with exquisite gastronomy and everything that the executive or family guest can expect of a lodging at the level of the most exquisite international hotel.

The Hodelpa Sun and Beach hotels (all inclusive) and Golf hotels are nestled in true tropical paradises of endless white sands, lush gardens and warm turquoise waters. Fully integrated with the natural environment. Of original designs, attractive and majestic architecture. They have themed restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shows, entertainment, sports, conference rooms, and dream bedrooms.

Its properties in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, World Heritage, invite the visitor to a journey of five centuries to the glorious past of the first years of the colony. The Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando (One of the 10 best historical hotels in Latin America.) The Novus Plaza former Mercure Hotel and the Casa Real Hodelpa, former Hotel Fránces These, together with the Hodelpa Caribe Colonial, complete an offer of four hotels and 250 rooms, thus becoming the chain with the greatest presence in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.

"The Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic and the Mayor's Office are supporting in a very significant way the development of the Primitive City of America. We are betting on the rebound that the colonial city is experiencing, we believe in its development and potentialities and we have decided that our presence grows in this destination " said Edmundo Aja, President of the hotel company. He also indicated that they are developing a Mice Project for the Colonial Zone, since the area is ideal for the Event and Incentive Market.

The growth trajectory of the Hodelpa Hotels includes a new proposal in the central polygon of the city of Santo Domingo. This is the Hodelpa Urbano, Smart-Tech Hotel, which began its construction on April 15, 2017. With an ideal location for the business traveller, it will be located opposite the Acropolis shopping centre, Blue Mall and Centro Roble area. Surrounded by the business district of Santo Domingo, the most prestigious international restaurants, areas of pleasure and comfort, will consist of 13 floors of smart rooms designed for the millennium executives who will be able to control from their mobile device their check-in and check-out, the on and off of the lights, the air conditioning and room temperature before arriving at the hotel, run the curtains, manage the television, showers and atmosphere; Order room service from the hotel app, among many other things that will make this a unique hotel in the Caribbean.

The expansion continues in the Hodelpa hotels with the acquisition of important areas of land in Las Galeras, Samaná and Uvero Alto, Altagracia Province where Emotions hotels will be built that will add between both 1,925 rooms to the Hodelpa offer. In face of the growth of the city of Punta Cana, this area ceased to be a destination of only sun and beach, and it is for this reason the Dominican chain begins in 2017 the construction of a Hodelpa Garden court in  the Vista Cana Project of the Boulevard of Punta Cana. This will be a commercial hotel with 102 bedrooms designed for the business traveller and for those looking for a different alternative to the All Inclusive.

Hotel Sensations by Hodelpa will be opened in 2018, a 7 level resort with 325 rooms, bars, restaurants and the most exquisite adult-only amenities on the beautiful Juan Dolio Beach. The hotel chain currently has three hotels in Santiago de los Caballeros: Hodelpa Gran Almirante, Hodelpa Garden Court and Hodelpa Centro Plaza. In Juan Dolio, the Emotions by Hodelpa, Beach & Resort in first line of the beach in all inclusive mode and the Hodelpa Garden Suites & Golf in the Metro Country Club. Hodelpa Hotel & Resorts will have 12 hotels and 3,321 bedrooms; Thus becoming the hotel chain with the greatest presence in Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo / Colonial City

Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando – Grand Hotel

Hodelpa Caribe Colonial – Premium Hotel 

Novus Plaza Hodelpa – Classic Hotel

Casa Real Hodelpa – Emblematic Hotel – Boutique (2018).

HodelpaUrbano  - Smartech Hotel (2018)

Santiago de los Caballeros

Hodelpa Gran Almirante – Grand Hotel

Hodelpa Garden Court – Premium Hotel

Hodelpa Centro Plaza Hodelpa – Classic Hotel

Juan Dolio / South-East Coast

Emotions by Hodelpa – All Inclusive Resort

Sensation by Hodelpa – All Inclusive Resort- Adults Only (2018)

Hodelpa Garden Suites / Golf & Resort

Puerto Plata / North Coast

Emotions by Hodelpa - All Inclusive Resort (December 2018)

Dream Hotels Announces Opening of Two New Facilities in the Dominican Republic

The Dream Hotel Group recently announced that it will open two of the 14 hotels it plans to open during 2018 and 2019.  One of the facilities       will represent the “Time Hotel” brand and the other “The Unscripts” brand. The first offers an elegant, sophisticated and refined stay in a privileged location and facility.  It follows the “boutique” hotel concept, even though the facility offers a greater number of hotel rooms. The other hotel will be operated by the Unscripts brand, which is oriented toward the progressive and creative traveller, with modern spaces beautifully designed and offering its guests authentic experiences for the experience.

For the latest news on the Dominican Republic see:

http://www.accessdr.com/ and the ANTOR website: http://www.antor.com/members/dominican_republic/

For further information on the destination please contact: Esther Smith: pr.uk@godominicanrepublic.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768901197 - Website:  www.godominicanrepublic.com – high res photographs – www.drsmartlibrary.com 

About Dominican Republic -Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline, 250 miles (402 km) of the world's top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches. Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar. Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.  Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com. You can join us on Facebook and Twitter on: http://www.facebook.com/godominicanrepublic - http://twitter.com/dominicanrep_UK   Download the Go Dominican Republic App, available in the App Store and Google Play