The Latest News From The Dominican Republic #GoDomRep

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF TOURISM UPDATE

Dominican Airline Announces U.S. Expansion | Pawa Dominicana announced daily flights from Santo Domingo-Miami will start Nov. 16. Pawa Dominicana is the first commercial Dominican airline offered in the U.S. in over 20 years and will soon offer flights in New York.  www.pawadominicana.com Cap Cana Marina to Become New Cruise Port | The Cap Cana Marina will start accepting cruises Dec. 8 for its first cruise season, with majority of incoming cruises classifying as luxury vessels. This new port is part of Dominican Republic’s goal to achieve 10 million tourists by 2022. New Luxury Complex Planned for Puerto Plata | Foreign investors announced a $1 billion investment for the Punta Alma project, a new luxury complex in Puerto Plata. The development will include a hotel, spa, golf course, villas, apartments and a marina. Marine Mammal Sanctuary Celebrates 30 Years | The Dominican Republic Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Sanctuary, located off the coast of Samaná. The sanctuary protects the habitat of thousands of humpback whales who come to the area’s warm waters each year for mating season. Merengue and Caribbean Rhythms Festival Takes on Two Cities | The 2016 Merengue and Caribbean Rhythms Festival will be held Nov. 5-6 in Santo Domingo and Nov. 12-13 in Puerto Plata to celebrate Caribbean rhythms like, merengue, salsa and urban music.

Explore upcoming events in Dominican Republic: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com/events/upcoming

2015 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Opens With Major Caribbean & local Star Power

SAINT LUCIA – Nestled in what has been termed the Capital of Castries, ‘The People’s Auditorium,’ - the Mindoo Phillip Park, will again serve as the home for the official Opening of the region’s most highly anticipated musical spectacle - the 24th edition of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival.

Carded for April 30th, thousands of festival goers are expected to flock to the popular venue for a lineup featuring an all-star cast of Caribbean powerhouses designed to jumpstart the festival.

Red hot Jamaican reggae superstar Chronixx will headline the Opening, which will also feature flamboyant Trinidad and Tobago Soca Queen Destra, who will be backed up by the Bakanal Band.

Veteran and decorated kaiso and soca phenomenon De Invader will lead the local cast of performers, which will also include reigning Groovy King, the versatile Arthur Allain, the melodic Sherwinn "Dupes" Brice and youth heart throbs Sedale & Wildfire.

“Not only are we planning to thrill audiences with the diverse all-star cast of regional and local entertainers down to perform at the Opening, we are also seeking to create that ‘wow factor’ when patrons enter the venue,” says Tourist Board’s Special Events Manager, Dahlia Guard.

According to Guard, “From the traditional set up involving the stage, artistes’ area, VIP, accommodation and concessionaire booths, to even the public entry points we aim to re-fresh this event and kick off the Jazz Festival season by creating a feeling of palpable excitement and energy that will permeate the entire 24th edition of the festival.”