The Ministry of Environment rejected granting permission to the city government of Puerto Plata for construction of the sanitary landfill in the Cofresí area. The new site that is practically adjacent to the old one met with widespread opposition from the tourism sector in Puerto Plata due to its proximity to hotel enclaves.
The Ministry is evaluating two other sites, including one in the community of Loma de La Bestia that is some three kilometers from the closed landfill in Maggiolo.
Mayor Walter Musa said he had not been notified. In the report, the environmental technicians warn of the severe consequences that the location chosen by the city government would bring.
On the weekend, activists in Puerto Plata protested the construction of the sanitary landfill in the area planned by the municipal authorities and Dominicana Limpia. The 140,000 square meter site had been purchased by the Puerto Plata city government at the cost of RD$52 million.
Recently, Jose Natalio Redondo, president of the Northern Hotels Association (ASHONORTE) reported that the designated delegation is reviewing nine options, which were technically evaluated by the expert in the area, the Mexican Pilar Tello.
Source: DR1, Elcaribe
July 6, 2019
The government of the People’s Republic of China is working with the Ministry of Tourism to facilitate the arrival of Chinese tourists to the Dominican Republic as part of the agreements between the two nations following the new diplomatic relations that began on 30 April 2018.
A Chinese delegation, headed by the president of the China Tourism Academy and the deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, the main Chinese private airline and the fourth largest air passenger mover in Asia, are visiting to meet with representatives of the Dominican tourism sector.
Dai Bin, who in addition to being the president of the Chinese Academy of Tourism is also director of the National Tourism Data Center, will lead a day of work with Dominican tourism entrepreneurs so that they can adapt their facilities to the demands of the Chinese traveler.
Meanwhile, Pubin Liang, deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, is coming to discuss the possibilities of creating routes to facilitate air connections between China and the Dominican Republic. The airline has several routes to the United States.
The mission, completed by Xiangyan Liu, Huang Juang, Yang Zhang, María Brava and Zhang Ye, is accompanied by Dominican ambassador in China, Briuni Garabito.
“For this, we are collaborating with the Dominican business sector so that it can be attractive to them. This mission, important for understanding how the Chinese tourism market works, has been promoted by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism,” explained Garabito.
Garabito said the Chinese government is especially interested in the Dominican Republic getting a share of the 130 million a year Chinese tourist market. Earlier this year, representatives of Ctrip visited. The Chinese company handles more than 60% of China’s tourism and travel operations.
The Chinese delegation is also scheduled to meet with President Danilo Medina and leading representatives of the tourism industry at the Presidential Palace.
The mission has already met with Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, and the Ambassador of China in the Dominican Republic, Zhang Run.
During the work visit, Dai Bin told Diario Libre in an interview that if all goes well the Dominican Republic could receive 50,000 Chinese tourists a year. He said that among the recommendations made is the facilities for visas, increase in promotion in China and the start of flights of a more direct air connection between both countries.
Source: DR1, Eldia
July 6, 2019
Dominican citizens can now purchase a tourist card to enter Panama visa-free for 30 days. The card is valid for one entry to Panama and costs US$20. The card can be purchased at the Consulate of Panama in the Dominican Republic.
President Juan Carlos Varela signed the decree on Monday, 24 June 2019, authorizing the new travel card. A requirement is that the person have previously visited Panama or another authorized country. President Varela expects the new facility will increase the number of Dominicans who go on shopping tours to Panama.
In October 2018, the government of Panama had announced a 5-year multiple entry visa for citizens of Cuba, People’s Republic of China, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and India.
According to sources, there is an oversupply of accommodations.
Source: DR1, DairioLibre
July 6, 2019
