Guzman Ariza Opens New Office in Cabrera:
Guzman Ariza is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Cabrera. The office is located at the Plaza Comercial Cabrera, at the 21-km mark on the Rio San Juan to Nagua highway. With the opening of the Cabrera office, Guzman Ariza now has seven offices throughout the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, San Francisco de Macoris, Sosua, Las Terrenas, Samana, Bavaro, Punta Cana and Cabrera - the most of any Dominican law firm. We remain the first and only national law firm in the Dominican Republic. We look forward to welcome you at this address: Guzmán Ariza, Plaza Comercial Cabrera, Carretera Río San Juan-Nagua Km 21, Cabrera, Dominican Republic, Tel.: +1 (809) 589-8055, Fax.: +1 (809) 589-7880. 29 JUN 08

Dominican Heads Caribbean Hotel Association:
Eminent hotelier Enrique de Marchena Kalaf was elected to lead the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) during a meeting of the association in Washington, D.C. In his address to the assembly, De Marchena told his audience that the association was faced with the difficult task of making the United States government understand the importance of tourism in the Caribbean. De Marchena is the second Dominican to hold the post of president of the CHA, and he said that he was personally worried about the abrupt reduction of flights to the Caribbean due to the increased cost of fuel. Former head of the Federal Reserve Board Alan Greenspan will address an audience of the CHA and the Organization of Caribbean Tourism, which represents the Caribbean government's tourism ministries. 23 JUN 08

Dominican Jesuit Wins Science Prize:
Father Jose Navarro, S.J., has been awarded the Henri Nestle Prize for scientific research for his work in child nutrition in the Dominican Republic. The prize was awarded in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The prize rewards the best research in the areas of nutrition in public health, clinical nutrition, biochemistry and food technology that is done in Brazilian universities. Father Navarro, a native of Bonao, is the coordinator of the Dominican Catholic Church's Mother and Child Pastoral Service, which three years ago launched a pilot program to improve the development and nutrition of the very young. Navarro is an honors chemistry graduate of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. 23 JUN 08

Americans Want DR's Mangos:
The Center for Exports and Investments - Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) is reporting that representatives from twelve US companies are interested in importing Dominican grown mangos. The US firms are based in New York, New Jersey and Miami. In recent years the Dominican mango has become a hot agricultural commodity. The DR has 1,014 mango producers and 14 exporters. The DR is also known for producing different varieties of mangos including Keitt, Kent and Tommy Atkins mangos. There are also local varieties such as Banilejo, Gota de Oro, Yamagui, Juan Jaquez, Madame Francis and Puntita. The DR averages US $3 million in mango exports per year. During the first four months of the year the DR exported US $518,874 worth of mangos. 20 JUN 08

Placido Domingo Arrives at Altos de Chavon:
World famous Spanish tenor Placido Domingo is in the DR and ready for his performance at Altos de Chavon tonight. The tenor will be performing tracks from his new CD Pasion Espanola, which is dedicated to Spanish 'coplas'. Arrangements have also been made to include a short selection of Dominican songs at the Altos de Chavon performance. Sixty musicians from the Dominican and Puerto Rican Symphony orchestras will accompany Domingo. Argentine soprano Virginia Tola will also perform during the show. 20 JUN 08

Miss DR in Vietnam:
Twenty-three year old Marianne Cruz, the Dominican Republic's representative at the Miss Universe 2008 contest taking place at the Crown Convention Center, Diamond Bay Resort, Nha Trang in Vietnam arrived in Vietnam this week for her almost month-long participation in the contest. Miss Dominican Republic is 5'11" and has brown eyes and brown hair. She traveled with a wardrobe by designers Leonel Lirio, Gutierrez y Marcano, Isabel Reynoso and Elisa Morato. Cruz works as a model and is a college student who aspires to be a world famous fashion designer, with Oscar de la Renta as her inspiration. The pageant will be televised on NBC on July 13th from 9-11 pm. In the DR, it can also be viewed on Antena Latina, Channel 7. 20 JUN 08

Cigar Industry News:
The tobacco industry has exported US $1.13 billion worth of goods in the last four years, according to Tobacco Institute director Adalberto Rosa. The director says that tobacco exports have been climbing steadily over the last four years. Rosa says that annual exports are registered at about 550 million units with a total of 2.3 billion units over the last four years. The Dominican tobacco sector is comprised of 6,150 producers, directly employing 36,000 agricultural workers. The sector also directly employs 117,000 less skilled workers. In the last four years producers have recorded revenues of US $3.2 billion. This year, 189,959 quintals of tobacco were produced, most to be used in cigars for export. Adalberto Rosa said that 687.2 million cigars were exported last year, with estimated revenue of US $274.1 million. Rosa indicates that the production, transport, manufacturing and sale of tobacco generates RD $3 billion for the local market each year and more than RD $11 billion in the last four years. 19JUN 08

DR Joins Latin American Coalition:
Nine consulates from Latin American countries have created a coalition that will provide services to the immigrant community in New York State. The coalition's services will also extend to communities in New Jersey and Connecticut. Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the DR have joined forces to create the "Coalition of Latin American Consulates in New York." Ruben Beltran, Mexican Consul in New York said that this is the first time that the participating nations have cooperated in this way at a diplomatic level. Each consular service will maintain its sovereignty, but will cooperate on issues that affect the immigrant communities in the Tri-State area. The coalition's first event will be this Saturday at the Mexican community center, Casa Puebla, in Harrison, New Jersey. Ecuadorian Consul Jessica Escala Maccaferri says that the consulates are no longer there just to sign visas, but also to help the immigrant community. 19JUN 08

US Travel Warning Was Old:
National Police Chief Major General Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin says that the US State Department advisory on safety issues for tourists visiting the DR is old and doesn't reflect the current situation in the DR. Guzman says that the report is from 2005-2006 and that he recently met with members of the US Embassy in Santo Domingo who were also surprised by the release of the report. Guzman says that crime in the DR has decreased by 60%. Presidential Palace Press director Rafael Nunez went as far as saying that the release of the report is a way of smearing the DR's reputation as a tourist destination. Quoted in Hoy, Nunez said that representatives from the Embassy visited Guzman to confirm that they had not released the report. He added that it is normal for the US government to inform citizens about possible dangers. Nunez says that the DR receives more than four million tourists and this could be the reason behind the release of the report. 19 JUN 08

DR-Korean Trade Grows:
The Dominican Republic and the Republic of South Korea are continuing to increase their commercial ties. According to Listin Diario, the trade balance for 2007 favored the Dominican Republic by US$6 million on US$126 million in trade. According to Kwon Sun-hung, the representative of the Korean Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Commerce (KOTRA), South Korea exported US$120 million to the DR. According to Kwon, South Korea purchased US$115 million in steel from the DR last year including US$35,000 in aluminum. In the first quarter of 2008, South Korea purchased US$30 million from the Dominican Republic, of which US$22 million was spent on scrap steel. 18 JUN 08

"In the Heights" Wins Tony Award for Best Musical:
The musical based on the life of a Dominican family in New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood, "In the Heights" has just won the top prize at the annual Tony Awards, the Tony for Best Musical. The Tony Awards honor the best of the 2007-08 Broadway season. The musical led the nominations with 13, and received four. Besides Best Musical, creator and star 28-year old Lin-Manuel Miranda took home the Tony for Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman). "I wrote a little show about home," he rapped in his acceptance speech. The production also won prizes for choreography and orchestration.

The production was first seen at Waterford's O'Neill Theater Center before it moved uptown with its Latin rhythms. 16 JUN 08

Tourism Police Defends the DR:
Tourism Police (POLITUR) Chief Manuel de Jesus Miranda is challenging a recent travel warning issued to US travelers to the DR. In its page on the DR, the US Department of State warns US citizens to "be aware that foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity, and should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming victims of violence or crime. In dealing with local police, US citizens should be aware that the standard of professionalism might vary. Police attempts to solicit bribes have been reported, as have incidents of police using excessive force."

The US government warning continues: "The dangers present in the Dominican Republic, even in resort areas, are similar to those of many major US cities. Expensive jewelry attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt. Limiting the cash and credit cards carried on your person and storing valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place is recommended."

Jesus Miranda says that tourism destinations are safe for people of all nationalities. His comments were backed up by National Police Chief Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin who said that crime in the DR has been reduced significantly. Guzman said that the DR is among the safest countries in Latin America, and added that news might create the perception of increased crime but this doesn't reflect the reality of the situation. 17 JUN 08

Cid Wilson to NCLR Board:
Cid Wilson, former President of the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) and a founding board member of Dominicans On Wall Street (DOWS) has been appointed to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) national board of directors. NCLR is the single largest Latino organization in the United States and is based in Washington, DC. Wilson becomes the second Dominican ever to serve on the NCLR national board. The last Dominican to serve on the NCLR board was former NYC Councilman Guillermo Linares, who served on the NCLR national board in the 1990s. NCLR's national conference routinely draws over 20,000 Latinos. 17 JUN 08

Al Horford Sets an Example:
Being a star on the basketball court is not enough for All Star power forward Al Horford. The young star of the Atlanta Hawks is spending his summer doing what most high-priced athletes would never consider: he is getting his degree. Horford was the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft and left the University of Florida after three years. Horford had won two National titles as a Gator and thought it was time to leave and pursue bigger challenges in the NBA. But athletic success wasn't enough. Horford is back finishing his degree in telecommunications and has maintained a 3.3 GPA. Diario Libre reports that the young Horford takes the bus to school and sometimes walks, even though he has a Lexus parked in his driveway. Horford admits that he has thought about quitting school in order to rest, but says his goal is to get his degree. 17 JUN 08

DR and Cuba Work Towards an Agreement:
The DR and Cuba are working towards signing a Partial Scope Agreement to enhance trade. President Leonel Fernandez held a meeting with the Cuban delegation at the World Food Summit in Rome to discuss strengthening trade between both countries. The First Vice-President of the Cuban Council of State, Ramon Machado Ventura headed the Cuban talks in Rome. The previous week, Eddy Martinez of the Center for Export and Investment (CEI-RD) signed an agreement with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce to promote bilateral trade and advance on the future signing of a Partial Scope Agreement. Martinez was in Cuba for the XV International ExpoCaribe Fair held in Santiago de Cuba.

Martinez says that both countries are looking into potential alliances between businesses as a step ahead prior to signing a trade agreement. Trade between both countries is estimated to reach US $100 million this year. The DR and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations during Leonel Fernandez's 1996-2000 administration. The DR exports fertilizer, animal feed and furniture to Cuba. 05 JUN 2008

DR Volleyball on a Roll:
The Dominican Volleyball team is on a roll after beating the Mexican team 25-19, 25-15 and 25-7 in the Pan American Volleyball Cup taking place in Tijuana, Mexico. The Dominican team has only lost once in the tournament, against Argentina, and with the victory against Mexico has secured a spot in the 2009 World Grand Prix that will take place in Japan. Brazil and the DR advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament. 05 JUN 2008

Dominican Republic to get US$1B in tourism infrastructure:
Santo Domingo.- The Web site EpochTimes reports that Dominican Republic's Tourism Minister, Felix Jiménez, hosted an luncheon on the 51st floor of Toronto's Manulife Center recently to announce US$1 billion in tourism infrastructure investment.

It said the Dominican Republic government will use the money to build better roads, a new cruise ship marina, high-speed ferry service between Punta Cana and Samana and more luxury hotel rooms, from now until 2012. Highway upgrades between Punta Cana to Santo Domingo will allow visitors to travel between the two cities in one third the travel time.

The country has already welcomed over 1.3 million visitors this year, 400,000 from Canada alone said Jimenez, EpochTImes said.

"We are very pleased with this impressive growth in tourism, and the new developments being planned will only improve our products as we continue to welcome record numbers of visitors from around the world," he said.

The Dominican Republic was recently named the number one Caribbean destination for international visitors by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. In 2006 tourism is credited with fueling the countries impressive economic development that saw the GDP grow by double digits. 20 JUN 2008

Tourism on the up:
The Ministry of Tourism reports that tourism was up by 7.17% during the first five months of the year, as reported in the Listin Diario. The DR received 1,677,391 tourists between January and May. This represents an increase of 112,235 more tourists compared to the first five months of 2007. Tourist arrivals grew by 9.78% in May of 2008, compared to 2007, during which 247,357 visitors arrived in the DR. This is 22,037 more than the same period in 2007. Arrivals from Canada and the US also grew by 21.19% and 12.86%. German tourism to the DR increased by 12.78%. This is thought to be a result of the DR's representation at the ITB conference in Berlin. 13 JUN 08

Asia gobbles up metal scraps:
Though you might think your metal waste will end up at a junkyard around the corner, what actually happens is that metal waste ends up in large containers that are shipped out to China. According to Diario Libre, China received 91.3 million kilograms of scrap waste in 2007, 152,460 kilograms of which came from the DR. The trade in used batteries is also big business with an unnamed source telling Diario Libre that his company ships 1,000 tons of batteries each month, of which 90% goes to South Korea. 13 JUN 08

Minister of Tourism Lays Out Plan:
Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez met with representatives of hotel, travel agent, airport and tour operator companies in Boca Chica yesterday to present his plan to keep the industry going in response to recent announcements of major airline flight cuts. The plan will be presented to President Leonel Fernandez. Among the points covered, as reported in El Caribe, are:

1. Elimination of the ITBIS tax on aviation fuel.
2. Awarding of 5th Freedom to European airlines, that is the right to enplane traffic at one foreign point and deplane it in another foreign point as part of a continuous operation also serving the airline's homeland. This would allow a European airline to touch down in the DR and then carry traffic to Central America, Mexico, the US or the rest of the Caribbean if it wants to.
3. That airports reduce their charges on passengers by 20%.
4. That airports in Punta Cana, Romana and Santiago support Ministry of Tourism promotional campaigns the way Aerodom has been doing (airports in Puerto Plata, Las Americas and Samana).
5. The strengthening of Air Dominicana, an affiliate of Air Europa that has a minority investment by the Dominican government, is also contemplated. The plan is for Air Dominicana to begin serving the US and Puerto Rico by October-November. The airline has already started operations serving Venezuela.
6. A proposal for incentives for at least two European airlines set up their hubs or mother ports at DR airports.
7. Increase advertising campaigns promoting the DR abroad
8. Work to increase travel from lagging markets. 12JUN 08

Air Dominicana to Start June 16th:
Air Dominicana (AD) has announced the start of daily flights to Caracas, Venezuela as of June 16th. This is the second Dominican airline to start international operations this year. The first was PAWA that began service to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on June 2nd, 2008.

AD president, Juan Jose Hidalgo Arena said that the new airline would use a Boeing 737 plane, with capacity for 148 passengers. AD, a mixed enterprise with private (Spanish Air Europa affiliate) and Dominican government capital, was started with a US $10 million investment. A second Boeing 737 is expected to commence service from the DR to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Hidalgo says the airline could also provide charter flight services between Mexico and Santo Domingo.

The announcement comes at a time when the DR has received notifications of flight cancellations form major airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Continental and US Airways, as part of global flight cuts. Jimenez is optimistic the flights would be resumed in the future. Amid all this bad news, Jet Blue has announced that it will increase its flights to the DR. And the Ministry of Tourism also reports that Air France, Iberia, Transaero from Moscow, Russia and Copa from Central America have increased their frequencies to the country, as reported in El Caribe. Likewise, Air Europa will be flying direct from Madrid to Puerto Plata later this year. 12JUN 08

Big Papi is a big citizen:
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, "Big Papi" became a US citizen yesterday. He was accompanied by his wife Tiffany Ortiz, his daughter and young son during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts. Ortiz was noticeably moved by the honor of becoming a US citizen and was joined by 220 other immigrants who hailed from 57 other countries. Ortiz has been the heart and soul of Red Sox nation since he came to Boston in 2003 and helped the Bean Town ball club win two World Series trophies in the process. Ortiz said that the US is a great country and that he is proud to be there. Speaking about Ortiz, Red Sox president Larry Luchino said, "He is the personification of what a great citizen should be. He's the heart and soul of Red Sox Nation." 12JUN 08

18 tons of baseball equipment:
Dominican children nationwide will be receiving new and gently worn baseball equipment collected in the United States by Roberto's Kids, a non-profit organization founded by Stephen Pindar and Steve Tremitiere, with the support of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the family of the late Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. This May and June, the organization distributed its largest shipment so far, 18 tons of equipment collected from baseball leagues, charitable organizations, individuals and retailers in 26 US states and 3 Canadian provinces for disadvantaged youth in the DR.

Pindar says that Rafael Perez, director of International Player Development with the NY Mets, helped him start the baseball equipment distribution in the DR. Onfalia Morillo, director of public relations for LEIDSA, the leading local lottery and a well known sports broadcaster in the DR, worked with Pindar distributing the equipment on the north coast and connecting Pindar with the Ministry of Sports.

Pindar explained that the partnership with SEDEFIR ensures that all donations shipped are received through government channels. Transportation this year was donated by Grupo M, the free zone conglomerate in Santiago.

In North America, Lily Transportation Corporation, Needam MA, partnered with Roberto's Kids by providing domestic transportation from key collection hubs directly to their international holding company in Florida.

In the DR, Roberto's Kids director of logistical affairs, Valentin Contreras is working with SEDEFIR, Ronaldo Peralta, MLB Senior Manager of International Baseball Operations in Latin America and Oscar Perez, of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities MLB Program identifying worthy and deserving leagues and organizations.

For more information about how you can be a part of this international baseball collection program contact Stephen Pindar at their NY Office (607) 432-7440 or their Caribbean Office (305) 395-4012 AST or by e-mail at: info@robertos-kids.org
Visit RK on the web at: www.robertos-kids.org 12JUN 08

JetBlue fills in for AA
JetBlue Airways has announced that it will add flights to the Dominican Republic in the fall, filling in when American Airlines cuts frequencies to the DR in September. The New York-based low-cost carrier will increase service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the DR, adding ten weekly flights to Santo Domingo's Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) and six weekly flights to Santiago's Cibao International Airport (STI). The flights to Santiago are crucial for passenger and cargo operations. In early June, American announced considerable reductions in flights to Santiago and Santo Domingo come September. Continental, Delta and US Airways have also announced flight and frequency cuts in response to record fuel prices.

Baseball season starts 15 October
Leonardo Matos Berrido, president of the Dominican Professional Baseball League has announced that the 2008-2009 Dominican Winter Professional Baseball League championship will start on Wednesday, 15 October. Games will be played at the Quisqueya Stadium (home to the Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido), at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium in San Pedro de Macoris (home to the Estrellas Orientales), the Frank Micheli Stadium in La Romana (home to the Azucareros del Este) the Julian Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macoris (home to the Gigantes del Cibao) and at the Cibao Stadium (home to the Aguilas Cibaenas). The All-Stars Game will take place on 6, 7, 8 December. The regular season runs into December. In January, the semi finals take place, and the playoffs will be held in the first week of February.

This year, more Major League Baseball stars than usual are expected to play, as the games will be used to prepare the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic that starts in Puerto Rico in March 2009.

Celebrating La Cana and Teeth of the Dog
Two Dominican golf courses have made the exclusive Top 20 International Golf Courses ranking in Celebrated Living, "the luxury magazine for American Airlines premium class passengers." The DR is the only country in the Caribbean with two courses - La Cana Golf Course (a P.B. Dye course) in Punta Cana on the east coast and Teeth of the Dog in Casa de Campo, La Romana (designed by Pete Dye) on the southeastern coast - included in the prestigious list. Coincidentally, both courses were designed by the Dye family.

For more information on these and other courses in the DR, see www.dr1.com/golf
Also see www.celebratedliving.com/tabid/3097/tabidext/3902/default.aspx

Merengue Festival update
This year's Ministry of Tourism's Merengue Festival will be a simultaneous celebration of the Caribbean beat in Santo Domingo and San Juan, Puerto Rico. This year (the 41st edition), it is to be known as the Festival Brugal de Merengue 2008. A delegation of the Santo Domingo Hotels Association traveled to Puerto Rico to promote the event. Cosette Garcia, director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Office, spoke at the event to invite Puerto Ricans to come dance to the tune of leading Dominican bands at the Avenida del Puerto from 24 to 27 July. Patricia Alvarez of the Santo Domingo Hotels Association said that the leading hotels would be offering free shuttle transportation for their guests. PAWA, the new Dominican airline that flies to Aguadilla in Puerto Rico from Santo Domingo, was also part of the delegation to announce the Merengue Festival.

The Festival opens on Thursday 24 July with a special tribute to Bonny Cepeda, with rhthyms from the 1980s and a performance by India Canela. On the 25th, onstage at the Avenida del Puerto, Fernando Villalona, Kilo el Presidente and Banda Gorda will perform. On the stage in Santo Domingo East, Las Chican and Julian Oro Duro are programmed. On Saturday, 26 July, Pochy Familia and his Coco Band, Querubanda and Eddy Herrera will take the stage. And on Sunday, 27 July, there will be two simultaneous concerts, one from the Avenida del Puerto with Sergio Vargas, Geovanny Polanco and El Torito Hector Acosta, and another with Fefita la Grande and El Jeffrey. Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico, Los Hermanos Rosario, Milly Quezada, El Prodigio, Joseph Fonseca, Grupo Mania, Limite 21, Bonny Cepeda, Los Sabrosos del Merengue and Grupo Mayombe will perform at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. This year, in addition to the merengue music, the Ministry of Tourism has also coordinated large displays of arts and crafts for sale. Dominican cuisine will also be available.

For more information in Puerto Rico, contact the Tourism Office at 890 Ashford Avenue, Local C-3, Condado, San Juan, call 787 722-0881 or e-mail opt_pr@yahoo.com

Wyndham Resort to open this year at Cap Cana:
Santo Domingo.– Wyndham Hotels and Resorts announced that a 497-unit luxury Wyndham resort now being developed at Cap Cana, an oceanfront community on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic near Punta Cana, is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of this year.

Green Village at Cap Cana, A Wyndham Grand Bay Resort, will feature luxury one-bedroom bungalows, two-bedroom villas and four- to six-bedroom residences constructed by Cap Cana S.A. and managed by Wyndham Hotel Management Inc.

Featured amenities will include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course; 5,000 square feet of meeting space with access to an adjacent convention center; 3,550-square-foot Wyndham Blue Harmony(TM) spa; fitness center; three-meal casual American restaurant; Spanish Mediterranean-themed restaurant; the Wyndham brand's new combination café, barista and food mart named "Eat. Refresh. Live."; three bars and lounges; two swimming pools; infinity-edge pools at individual villas; and a host of recreational activities including tennis and scuba-diving.

The resort is located 10 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, which offers direct flight connections with major U.S., Latin American and European cities.

"The allure of Cap Cana and increasing popularity of the Dominican Republic make this an ideal Caribbean destination for the Wyndham brand," said Peter Strebel, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president. "This is a magnificent project in a prime location that will be a leading destination known worldwide."

"With the signing of this agreement, Cap Cana ratifies its goal to become renowned internationally as the World's New Great Destination," said Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, president of Cap Cana S.A.'s board of directors. "By combining the Wyndham experience with Cap Cana's natural beauty and the stable Dominican Republic economy, we are confident that together we will continue to create a new standard for tourism, real estate and hotel accommodations in this region."

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Joins Cap Cana:
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts becomes the first international chain to operate a property at Cap Cana, the luxury vacation community in Punta Cana on the east coast. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president Peter Strebel announced that the 497-unit luxury property would be known as Green Village at Cap Cana, a Wyndham Grand Bay Resort. The resort is scheduled to open "during the fourth quarter of this year" and will make it easy for golfers to be closer to the increasingly famous Jack Nicklaus Punta Espada golf course. The resort will feature luxury one-bedroom bungalows, two-bedroom villas and four- to six-bedroom residences built by Cap Cana and managed by Wyndham.

The resort, which joins the brand's Wyndham Grand Collection, represents the chain's third Grand Bay property in addition to the luxury Aura Cozumel, a Wyndham Grand Bay hotel in Cozumel, and the Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort, located on a 1,200-acre private island in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Strebel said the project builds on the lodging chain's 24-resort portfolio in the Caribbean and Mexico, which also includes properties in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the Bahamas, Cozumel, Riviera Maya and five all-inclusive Viva Wyndham properties in the Dominican Republic. 10 JUN 2008

Pan Am Volleyball Cup: DR Wins Gold and Bronze:
The Dominican Republic women's team won a much-needed gold medal at the Pan American Cup organized by NORCECA league in Mexicali, Baja California. The DR team defeated Brazil 26-24, 30-28, 22-25, 19-25 and 15-11. Sidarka Nunez, Bethania de la Cruz and Cindy Rondon were the high scorers who led the team to win the Pan Am title. The team recently barely lost their right to compete in the Beijing Olympics in Tokyo. "We wanted this medal so badly," said an emotional Rondon. "Since the start of the tournament we were thinking about this contest against Brazil, so we came well prepared. Thanks to God, we won it." The men did their job, too. The Dominican men's team brings the bronze medal home with a tight win over home-team Mexico, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 18-25 and 15-12. Best for the DR were captain Elvis Contreras and Victor Batista. With the win, the Dominican men qualify for participating in the America Cup next year. 09 JUN 2008

Cincinnati Reds Honor Cesar Geronimo:
Cesar Geronimo, ex-major league baseball player with the Cincinnati Reds, and better known in DR as Cesarin Geronimo, is being inducted to the Cincinnati Reds' Baseball Hall of Fame this July. His induction coincides with the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the team's hall of fame. This is the first step on his way to the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame.

MLB says: "Cesar 'Cesarin' Geronimo is perhaps one of the overlooked regulars on Cincinnati's Big Red Machine of the 1970s, but his role on that overpowering team cannot be underestimated. His play in center field was key for the Reds, combining with that of Dave Concepcion at shortstop, Joe Morgan at second base and Johnny Bench behind the plate to form one of the best defenses ever up the middle. And at the plate, Geronimo had his share of timely hits for Cincinnati's World Series champion teams of 1975 and 1976." 09 JUN 2008

Dominican Baseball Player Gets Drafted:
Third baseman Pedro Alvarez became the third highest Dominican ever drafted in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Alvarez was chosen second by the Pittsburg Pirates. Alex Rodriguez was chosen first in 1993 and Moises Alou was chosen second by the Pittsburg Pirates in 1986. Interviewed from his home in New York, Alvarez said he couldn't believe his selection and defined it as a great moment. Alvarez, a standout at Vanderbilt University, knew he was to be selected in the second position, since he had been called by Pirates officials days before, but decided to keep it a secret as a surprise. It is estimated that Alvarez will sign a multi-million dollar contract and could see time in the big leagues within two years. This isn't the young man's first taste of big league recognition. Four years ago, while still in high school, Alvarez was selected by the Boston Red Sox. Alvarez, following his parents' advice, declined the Red Sox US $700,000 offer and decided to go to school and study economics. Alvarez is considered the "next" Alex Rodriguez. 06 JUN 2008


Santo Domingo to Samana Highway is OPEN!!
The direct highway linking Santo Domingo and Samana opened to the public on Sunday, June 1st. The 106 km highway goes from Km. 20 on Las Americas Expressway (between Santo Domingo and Las Americas International Airport) to Cruce Rincon de Molinillo in the province of Maria Trinidad Sanchez, a short distance from Samana International Airport and about half an hour from Samana City. The new route will put booming Samana beach town Las Terrenas at just two hours from Santo Domingo. The shortcut costs RD $325 in tolls, but savings in fuel and time more than make up for the additional expense. The Ministry of Public Works says that the highway has cost US $150 million. It passes near Monte Plata, Bayaguana and the Los Haitises National Park, opening up many of these areas and their rivers and waterfalls for future adventure tourism-style development. 3 JUN 2008

Catch a Movie While in Bavaro:
The Palma Real Villas Shopping Village now includes a movie theater complex. Palacio del Cine opened in May to serve residents and tourists in the area. Three movie halls are open, with capacity for 45 spectators and equipped with Digital Dolby projection screens and state-of-the-art theater amenities. Ticket prices are also attractive as they are lower than admission for opening films in Europe and the USA. The Palma Real Villas Shopping Village is located adjacent to the Melia Caribe Tropical resort, in mid-Punta Cana. 3 JUN 2008

Winter Baseball Promises to be the Best:
Felipe Alou has announced that he intends to assemble "an invincible" Dominican team for the World Baseball Classic that opens on March 5th, 2009 with first round games in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Mexico City. The DR team will be playing the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico at the Hiram Bithorn stadium in Puerto Rico from March 7th-11th, but to be ready, Alou wants team members to join the local teams.

Alou says that the best way for the players to get in shape is to join the final weeks of the Dominican Winter Baseball Championship, which opens in mid-October. The regular season ends in December and playoffs are held in January with the finals in the first week of February. This announcement means it is likely that a larger number of Major League Baseball players who expect to make the Dominican team to the Classic will be playing from December through February at least.

The World Baseball Classic classifies the world's best 16 teams. In next year's tournament, the Dominican Republic, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa, Canada, Italy, the US, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico will vie for the title, which was won by Japan in 2006.

Stadiums where games are played are located in Santo Domingo, Santiago (less than an hour's drive from Puerto Plata), San Pedro de Macoris (15 minutes from Juan Dolio and Guayacanes hotels), La Romana (15 minutes from Casa de Campo, 25 minutes from Bayahibe hotels), and San Francisco de Macoris (two hours from Samana). Arrangements can be made to attend the games. 3 JUN 2008

Free Trade with South America?
The Dominican Republic could soon have a free trade agreement in place with South America, now that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has formally invited the Central American Integration System (SICA) to join the South American trading bloc MERCOSUR. Da Silva made his invitation during the II SICA-Brazil Business Forum. The Brazilian President is quoted as saying that "negotiations for a free trade agreement between Central America and MERCOSUR have been a challenge for Brazil and our MERCOSUR partners for some time. We can't depend on a few economies to look for new market niches." According to Lula, trade between Central America and MERCOSUR has jumped 280% in four years, going from US $594 million to US $1.7 billion. SICA is made up of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama with the Dominican Republic as an associate member. MERCOSUR members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The prospect of joining MERCOSUR (which will eventually evolve into the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR) would open the DR to a market of 382 million people in South America. The DR already has free trade agreements with Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. 3 JUN 2008

DR Stock Exchange Trading Surges 607%:
Growth continues at an impressive rate at the Dominican Stock Exchange (BVRD), as the institution achieves its potential as a leading source of financing for business. Trading leaped to RD $13,930,111,262 for the first five months of the year, for a 607% growth compared to the same period last year. In only five months, the BVRD has traded more than 90% of the total volume traded for all of 2007. Trading for all of 2007 was RD $15,414,587,959, compared to a mere RD $1,64,299,250 in 2006. The changes come on the heels of the appointment of Darys Estrella, a former Goldman Sachs vice president in NY, to the helm in April 2007. Estrella confirmed the growth is due to increased confidence in the institution, efforts to reach out to new companies with new products, the active participation of the pension funds and continued political and economic stability in the country. She says, "In the next six months, volume will most likely double as we see more companies and investors realizing the benefits of participating in the market." Every day at the end of the day, the issues traded are posted open to the general public in the BVRD's website (www.bolsard.com) with all the details: issue, price, coupon and maturity date. 3 JUN 2008

BPD Bank Opens in Santo Domingo:
BPD Bank, the New York-based affiliate of the Banco Popular has opened a Santo Domingo office to provide a better service for its DR-based clients. The branch is now open at the AFP Popular building at Av. Abraham Lincoln 702, corner Andres Julio Aybar, in Piantini. The BPD is a US-incorporated bank. During the inaugural ceremony, BPD Bank president Luis Canela said that the Santo Domingo branch opening coincides with the bank's coming of age in the US. The bank was opened 21 years ago. It is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insure Corporation. 3 JUN 2008

BAT Goes to Bat:
The Baseball Assistance Team, a little known organization founded in 1986, is forming a preliminary committee that will determine the needs of former Major League baseball players living in the DR. Stanley Javier, Winston Llenas, George Bell, Mario Soto, Junior Noboa, Jim Martin, Virginia Carballo, Julian Javier and Jesus Rojas Alou all form part of this committee, which works through the Dominican Professional Baseball League. Because of the high volume of Major Leaguers from the DR, it is the first time that BAT creates a committee outside the United States and it was appropriate to form such a committee in the DR. 3 JUN 2008

Manny Begins March to 600:
It took Manny Ramirez a few tries to hit his 500th homerun and join an exclusive collection of hitters, but in a Monday game against the Baltimore Orioles Ramirez belted his 501st career homerun. The fact that Ramirez hit a homerun in consecutive games isn't the real news here, rather that each dinger puts Ramirez one homerun closer to the ultra-exclusive 600-homerun club. The chase is now on for Manny to complete the feat. At 36 years old Ramirez is aging, but if he stays healthy and decides to play at least three more seasons we could see another Dominican in the 600-homerun club. The bomb, hit into deep right field, helped the mighty Boston Red Sox, and Ramirez's hot bat is now a must as slugger David Ortiz was placed on the DL with a wrist injury. 3 JUN 2008

DR Volleyball Team Remains Undefeated:
The Dominican volleyball team remains undefeated as they continue play in the seventh Pan American Volleyball Cup. The games are being played in Tijuana and Mexicali. In their last game the DR beat Costa Rica 25-15, 25-17 and 25-19. The only other undefeated team is Brazil. The two top scoring teams will go on to compete in the 2009 Volleyball Grand Prix. 3 JUN 2008

Manny Bats his 500th HR!!
Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez joined the exclusive list of 24 Major League Baseball players to have hit 500 or more homeruns. He is also only the third Dominican, including Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez, to reach this milestone. His homerun came on Saturday, May 31st, at a game in Baltimore. The Red Sox won 6-3. 2 JUN 2008

Dominicans Lead MLB All-Star Voting:
Dominicans Alfonso Soriano and Hanley Ramirez are leading the first round of voting for this year's All-Star Game festivities. Ramirez is having a spectacular year for the Florida Marlins while Soriano, who recently came back from injuries, is catching his groove with the Chicago Cubs.

The 79th All-Star will be held at Yankee Stadium on July 15th and Soriano and Ramirez are sure to be joined by other Dominican stars like David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Vladimir Guerrero who have all come to represent the best of Dominican baseball. 29 MAY 2008

Manny Hits #499:
Big bopper Manny Ramirez hit a three-run shot to right field in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners. The big shot by the big slugger tied the score at 3-3 and moved Ramirez within one homer of 500 for his career. The Red Sox won the game 4-3. Ramirez hadn't homered since May 12th at Minnesota and anxiety among fans began to set in as many wondered when the next dinger would come. Ramirez is now is one swing away from the 500 HR club and with it begins his march towards his next milestone: the 600 homerun club. 29 MAY 2008

US vs DR in Boxing:
The US and DR olympic boxing teams are due to face off at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Tennessee on May 31st. This is the final training dual for both teams before the 2008 Olympic Games, which open in July in Beijing, China. The top boxers in the DR and the top US boxers will be competing. The US boxers include heavyweight Olympian Deontay Wilder (2007 Golden Globes title holder), two-time Olympian and 2007 World champion, flyweight Rau-shee Warren, flyweight Olympian Malcolm Franklin, 2007 US Championships bantamweight silver medalist David Clark, and 2008 national featherweight champion Robert Rodriguez, among others.

The six Dominican Olympians who will take the ring in the Tennessee event are light flyweight Jhonny Winston Montero, flyweight Juan Carlos Payano, featherweight Roberto Navarro Gonzalez, light welterweight Felix Manuel Diaz Guzman, welterweight Gilbert Lenin Castillo Rivera, and middleweight Argenis Casimiro Nunez. 29 MAY 2008

Travel Stats - January thru April 2008:
Non-resident international arrivals to the Dominican Republic during the first four months of the year increased 6.7% to 1,430,034 from 1,339,836 in 2007. The best performing markets were Canada (up 11%), the United States (up 5.6%), South America (up 28%) and Europe (up 2.2%). 407,442 travelers came from the United States, compared to 385,739 for the same period in 2007. In South America, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Colombia, Ecuador and Peru provided most of the 67,235 tourists that visited from January to April. For Europe, the largest source markets for the period were France with 154,673 tourists, followed by Germany with 78,512, Spain with 73,301, Italy with 60,066, the UK with 58,072, Holland with 19,270, Rusia with 16,879, Belgium with 15,275, Switzerland with 11,677 and Portugal with 6,738. 27 MAY 2008

Canadians Choose the DR:
Canadian visitation to the Dominican Republic continued strong during the first four months of 2008 (January to April), increasing 11% to 394,930 visitors, up from 355,917 travelers for the same period in 2007. In the entire 2007, 587,37