The Dominican Republic: A land of sensations

Latin Trade, April, 2003

At the very heart of the Caribbean, a unique tourism destination welcomes both visitors and investors: The Dominican Republic. Here, a vibrant Hispanic culture fuses with the most beautiful beaches and natural landscapes, a sophisticated resort climate, and attentive, personal service. For visitors from around the world, this is a land of sensations.

With more than 29,000 square miles, the Dominican Republic offers a huge variety of attractions, including nature parks, world-class beaches, cave and rapids adventures, world-class golf, water sports, a varied nightlife, the most exquisite gastronomy and handicrafts, centuries-old cultural and historic attractions and international festivals and carnivals for all tastes.

The Dominican Republic offers countless beguiling beaches, numerous coral reefs, historic attractions, 17 golf courses, six international airports and magnificent all inclusive hotels, a welcoming ambiance and the most caring service in the Caribbean. Here are some of the highlights:

* Santo Domingo stands out due to its five centuries of history, with relics from the age of the conquistadors, museums and colonial building. Come dusk, Santo Domingo enjoys an exciting nightlife and the best cuisine, as a cosmopolitan city that never sleeps.

* To the east, Punta Cana and Playa Bavaro present a paradise of expansive Caribbean beaches and many hotel complexes, the perfect haven for those who seek to leave the world behind in an all-inclusive vacation.

* North of Punta Cana, the Samana peninsula serves as a jumping-off point for the wonders of the Los Haitises National Park and its virgin cays. You can also observe humpback whales in spring and visit the El Limon waterfall.

* To the north, the Amber Coast's 75 miles of coastline include Puerto Plata, founded in 1496; Playa Dorada, a complex of 14 resorts with attractions for families, couples and golfers; Sosua, center of European-style nightlife and a large selection of watersports, including scuba diving; and Cabarete, world capital for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

* With tours to Pico Duarte, the highest point in the West Indies, whitewater rafting on the Jarabacoa River rapids, and excursions through the traditional and folkloric heartland, the roads between Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata present a broad selection of the Caribbean's natural world.

* Casa de Campo is one of the island's most popular places. This 7,000-acre resort lies on the south coastline, with luxury villas, hotel rooms and two Pete Dye-designed championship courses, including the "Teeth of the Dog" course, ranked number one in the Caribbean by Golf Magazine.

* The Dominican Republic's traditional Merengue Festival will be held in Santo Domingo in July, with celebrations also taking place in Bavaro/Punta Cana. Top Dominican and international merengue performers will share the limelight, as well as renowned national folkloric groups, including gagas, perico ripiaos and guloyas.

Meanwhile, the new Merengue Festival and simultaneous Singles' Festival in the Puerto Plata area will feature the best Dominican bands in the fall, playing until the wee hours, with activities and contests planned for visitors.

For more information, contact your travel agent or the Dominican Republic's Tourism Office in your country or see www.dominicana.com.do.

RELATED ARTICLE: Economic Incentives Draw Investors

It's easier than ever to do business in the Dominican Republic. Combined with liberalized investment regimes, political stability and economic incentives, more and more investors are looking to the Dominican Republic as the "pearl" in their portfolio.

Investments in telecommunications and physical infrastructure, successful promotion of the nation as a visitor destination, and government policies welcoming foreign direct investment have already produced results: From 1990 to 2000, foreign investment totaled US$4.8 billion, according to the Central Bank, and the Dominican Republic was one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America in the past two years.

"Our country has become one of the most attractive locations for investment in the region because we have set the course on important tasks like continuing market-oriented reforms, strengthening the rule of law, investing in human capital and taking advantage of the opportunities that openness and globalization provide," says Hip6lito Mejia, President of the Dominican Republic.

Under the dynamic leadership of Tourism Minister Dr. Rafael A. Subervi Bonilla, the Tourism Ministry has been successfully promoting the Dominican Republic in Latin America and around the world. The efforts are paying off. A report by the Central Bank shows a 33% increase in in-bound passengers during January 2003, as the number of non-resident passengers using Dominican airports surpassed 305,000. New flights from Miami and Paris helped increase passenger totals,

The Dominican Republic is also an important cruise destination, with major ports and "private" getaway islands among passengers' top attractions. With 57,000 rooms, the Dominican Republic has the largest hotel room inventory in the West Indies.