Archive for February, 2023
After two years on hiatus due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, La Vega was once again filled with color and joy with the start of the La Vega carnival on the first Sunday in February. Around 150 groups are parading this year. Thousands of people came from all around the country to watch the start of the legendary carnival that parades the main streets of La Vega city.
Kelvin Cruz, mayor of La Vega, said that the La Vega Carnival is one of the best in the world. “We have a country brand in terms of carnival in the Dominican Republic and we are honored to preside and be the capital of this cultural tradition,” he told the press.
With floats, dancing groups, and the most colorful and varied characters of Dominican folklore, this important tradition starts around 3 pm on Sundays with the appearance of the cojuelo devils, a symbol that for decades has showcased the talent of the artisans of that city.
Martin Duquela, president of the Unión Carnavalesca Vegana (Ucave), invites Dominicans and foreigners to enjoy the show on all Sundays in February. He announced this is the first year the government is offering financial support to the organizers. Travel companies sell tours to La Vega to see the carnival.
In addition to Sundays 5, 12, 19, and 26 February, there will be a grand closing on Monday, 27 February 2023, a national holiday, announced Roberto Rodriguez, general director of Grupo Medrano, a major sponsor of the carnival.
Rodríguez said all the events of the Carnaval Vegano 2023 will be televised to reach homes all over the country through Microvision Channel 10 of Telecable Central and on the radio through Super K, Channel 105, Radio La Vega and Radio Olímpica, all Grupo Medrano media.
In addition to the carnival characters, another attraction is the performance of popular music groups. This year, Toño Rosario, Omega, Alajazá, Don Miguelo, Bulin 47, Mozart La Para, Chimbala, Angel Dior, Raulín Rodríguez, Frank Reyes, Héctor Acosta (El Torito) and US rapper Eladio Carrión are hired to perform after-carnival entertainment.
The Vegan Carnival began in 1520 when residents dressed up as Muslims and Christians, but it was not until 1947 that it became a tradition in the town of La Vega.
On 6 January 1977, the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic recognized the Vegan Carnival as the Folkloric Patrimony of the Nation.
In 1983 the Unión Carnavalesca Vegana (UCAVE) was formed as an institution for the organization and preservation of the values of the cultural and artistic event.
Source: DR1, Noticias SIN
Feb 9, 2023
President Luis Abinader attended the Miami Travel Roadshow on 30 January 2023 to promote travel to the Dominican Republic. He spoke of how the Dominican Republic had promptly recovered its tourism industry after Covid-19 and of the new developments at the leading destinations.
He described the new development at Punta Bergantín, a beach and film site, going up next door to Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata. He announced the country’s first star memorabilia-styled Planet Hollywood hotel would open at the site. Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts has been nominated for Travel and Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards. There are others in Cancun, Mexico, and Costa Rica in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Punta Bergantin is the newest development in Puerto Plata, where resort tourism in the Dominican Republic got its start. Punta Bergantin is promoted by movie actor Vin Diesel, as a Silicon Coast, destination with academia, and a Planet Hollywood resort.
During his presentation, President Abinader reviewed the steps the Dominican Republic took for a fast recovery of the tourism industry in the aftermath of Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. He thanked the travel vendors for their trust in sending the tourists.
The President told his audience that he had studied economics and had done his thesis on the development of tourism and its impact on the Dominican economy. “I believe in tourism and I believe in the impact of tourism on the country and the people who work in the industry,” he told his listeners.
He spoke of the launching of the Pedernales beach destination with its exceptional shallow beaches, where low-density tourism is contemplated in a province where 60% of the land is located in national parks. He announced the start of construction of the Pedernales cruise ship port and the first hotels this year He also spoke of the expansion of the Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ship facilities in Puerto Plata given the successes of the ports in attracting cruise lines.
During his presentation, he highlighted that the government in 2020 understood that tourism is vital to the economy, and its recovery was key. He spoke of the success of the free travel insurance foreign tourists booking hotel packages were offered to encourage them to risk catching Covid-19 when traveling to the country. At the same time, the government made mass purchases of vaccines, giving priority to vaccinating hotel staff, and was the first to make available the third booster vaccine. He said that only 0.3% of those who traveled during the crucial Covid-19 impacting months used the insurance. The World Tourism Organization would name the Dominican Republic the country to recover its tourism industry best.
President Abinader also spoke of improvements to the La Isabela historical site in Puerto Plata, new developments in Punta Cana, and in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.
“We are here to tell you that you are very important to us, you are our partners, and that the best times for tourism are ahead, the best times for the DR are coming. Thank you for believing in us, the Dominican Republic is waiting with open arms and smiles to receive you!,” said the President.
Source: DR1, Mitur
Feb 9, 2023
The Dominican government signed a new air transport agreement with Canada on Thursday, 2 February 2023 that will expand flight operations between the two countries. Tourism will benefit but also trade and connectivity.
The agreement authorizes airlines to operate beyond the currently established frequencies. More airlines, flights, and new destinations will soon be announced.
The agreement establishes that market conditions will determine the frequencies and capacity of the agreed services. Traffic rights up to the Sixth Freedom are granted for passenger, cargo, and combination flights.
The agreement covers charter or non-scheduled flights and provisions for code-share operations and ground handling services.
Airlines and airports of both countries will be able to operate direct flights and connections from any airport in the Dominican Republic and Canada.
For his part, the head of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), José Marte Piantini highlighted the agreement will boost tourism and trade.
Canadian Ambassador Christine Laberge spoke of how this agreement will contribute to excellent bilateral and commercial relations between the Dominican Republic and Canada. “These relations will bring great economic benefits not only in tourism but also in areas such as mining, financial services, energy, and manufacturing for Dominicans,” said the ambassador.
The diplomat reported that in 2022, approximately 715,000 Canadians traveled to the DR from Canada to enjoy its beaches, good weather and the warmth of its people. “We are proud to be able to contribute to the tourism sector of the Dominican Republic and, therefore, to the economic well-being of all Dominicans”.
Tourism Minister David Collado celebrated the agreement, saying it will strengthen the ties between both countries.
Canada is the second most important country in goods exported by the Dominican Republic. Last year, 9.2 million kilograms of cargo were exported by air to Canada, valued at US$37.2 million. 94% of the total weight of the product exports was in vegetables, with 8.6 million kilograms.
This agreement was reached after negotiations and technical agreements carried out through the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) as of 18 February 2021, when President Luis Abinader granted full powers to the president of the Civil Aviation Board to negotiate for the country.
Also present for the signing of the agreement were Presidency Minister Joel Santos and Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Alvarez, as airport and airline representatives.
Source: DR1, Hoy
Feb 9, 2023
