Dominican Republic Secures Its Position As The Leading Caribbean Destination

Country's tourism promotion efforts leading all-time visitor highs

Thanks to its efforts in the travel marketing 

space, Dominican Republic has secured its position as the Caribbean's leading destination by a wide

 margin. The destination giant draws in visitors with both its broad all-inclusive appeal, as well as its

 boutique niche offerings in areas not yet thoroughly explored by tourists.

According to recent data, Dominican Republic alone saw a 9.6 percent increase in tourism in 2014,

 receiving 5.14 million tourists, while the Caribbean as a whole registered at just a 6.6 percent growth.

 With so much to offer in the country, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's (MITUR) public relations

 and marketing efforts have worked to showcase the country's diversity in locations, activities,

 amenities, gastronomy and much more. Recent US marketing efforts include:

• Event Partnerships: Most currently, Dominican Republic has announced it will once again
•  be participating in the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, celebrating its 20^th
•  year Sept. 25 - Nov. 16 in Orlando, FL. The 53-day festival gives guests, their families and 
• media the opportunity to awaken their senses through exploring a global selection of cuisine,
•  drink and more, along with experiencing unparalleled Disney-style events. Past events have
•  also included sponsorships of Dominican baseball player Pedro Martinez's Hall of Fame
•  induction, the Miami Heat's "Dominican Night," People in Espanol's "50 Most Beautiful"
•  event, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders' swimsuit calendar and an ongoing partnership
•  with the New York Yankees, among others.
• Prime-time Integration: Partnerships with key high-exposure players in the prime-time
•  television space have exposed key audience segments to Dominican Republic's luxury
•  getaway options as well as to accommodation options for those that may choose to own
•  a piece of property in the Dominican sunshine. Features on The Bachelorette (Season 10),
•  House Hunters International, Beachfront Bargain Hunt and more have been optimal spotlights
•  on the island's beauty.
• 
  
• 
  
• Up-to-Date  Traveler Resources: Regular improvements to MITUR's official
•  GoDominicanRepublic.com website allows travelers alike to access the best
•  and most current information about the country. A brand-new hotel directory was designed 
• for streamlined searches of a visitor's best fit among the country's 70,000 hotel rooms and
•  also included a revamped press section and the addition of multiple new languages. The
•  release of the Dominican Republic Travel App made it easier than ever for visitors to plan
•  their travel and access maps, information, guides and more both on- and off-line.
• 
  
• • 
    

"We are happy to see success in our tourism efforts over the previous year and have high 

expectations for our numbers in 2015," said Magaly Toribio, marketing advisor for the Ministry

 of Tourism. "Our marketing teams work hard to focus our efforts on reaching diverse audience

 segments to showcase all that Dominican Republic has to offer in addition to the beautiful beaches 

and relaxing resorts it is so well known for."

Leading tourism growth, the United States remains the country's single-largest source market,

 with 1.78 million US arrivals – and a 12.4 percent growth rate – in 2014. The year's high numbers

 likewise indicated an increase in summer travel, showing an 11.7 percent spike in tourist visits in

 the summer months, expected to trend into 2015.

As highlighted by Simon Suarez, president of hotel and tourism association ASONAHORES, tourist

 arrivals to Dominican Republic by air grew a whopping 30.7 percent between 2010 and 2014 – a very

 promising growth for the country's tourism-heavy economy. Have you planned a visit yet?

About Dominican RepublicDominican Republic's first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, Dominican

 Republic has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors

 to approximately five million global visitors in 2012. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & 

Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, Dominican Republic

 boasts 28 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature and sophisticated cities

 and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people.  Dominican Republic features the

 best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples

 and families alike.  Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official

 website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

Follow us on Twitter @GoDomRep  Like us on Facebook GoDominicanRepublic

Disney's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival To Feature 22 Music Acts, September 19th Through November 10th.

Enlarge Photo

Quantum Leap Winery

Quantum Leap Winery plans to bring a variety of red and white wine blends for attendees of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to sample by the glass and take home by the bottle.

Matthew Richardson

Orlando Business Journal

Check out who the 22 musical acts will be at Walt Disney World’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which lasts from Sept. 19 through Nov. 10.

The complete lineup is subject to change, reports the Orlando Sentinel:

Sept 19-21: Jo Dee Messina

Sept. 22-23: The Pointer Sisters

Sept. 24-25: Rick Springfield

Sept. 26-27: Christopher Cross

Sept. 28-29: Hanson

Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Air Supply

Oct. 3-5: Starship starring Mickey Thomas

Oct. 6-8: Sugar Ray

Oct. 9-10: Fuel

Oct. 11-12: Sister Hazel

Oct. 13-14: To be announced

Oct. 15-16: Billy Ocean

Oct. 17-1 9: Night Ranger

Oct. 20-22: Smash Mouth

Oct. 23-24: Jim Brickman

Oct. 25-26: Los Lonely Boys

Oct. 27-28: Wilson Phillips

Oct. 29-31: Dennis DeYoung, original member of Styx

Nov. 1-2: 38 Special

Nov. 3-5: Boyz II Men

Nov. 6-7: David Cook

Nov. 8-10: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Well-known musical acts featured at theme parks can be another draw to bring visitors to Central Florida, which adds to the region’s $50 billion tourism industry.

Seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels In Central Florida Offering Enticing “End of Summer Value Rates”

. . . Special Rates At The Seven Official Walt Disney World® Hotels

Provide A Great Way To Take in Such Upcoming Events As

Night of Joy, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and

The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival;

& To Experience New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom® Park

 There is still time to make plans to experience the special events being conducted at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Central Florida this fall, such as Night of Joy, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. A great way to experience these events, and/or to check out the wonders of the recently expanded New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom® Park, is by taking advantage of the special“End of Summer Value Rates” that are being offered by the seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels from August 1-September 30, 2013. In addition to their ideal location an easy walk to the shopping, dining and entertainment venues at the Downtown Disney® Area, these seven Official Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels also provide complimentary shuttle transportation every 30 minutes to all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, two water parks, and to Downtown Disney®. As a bonus, guests at these hotels also receive the “2013 Downtown Disney Deals” booklet that features exclusive discounts and specials from over 30 merchants on Downtown Disney® area dining, entertainment and shopping.

The Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels’ “End of Summer Value Rates” are:

·    Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel – rates from $75 per room, per night

·    Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa – rates from $95 per room, per night

·    DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – rates from $109 per suite, per night

·    Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – rates from $89 per room, per night August 1-15, and from $79 per room, per night August 16-September 30, 2013

·    Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown – rates from $93 per room, per night

·    Royal Plaza Hotel – rates from $79 per room, per night

·    Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort – rates from $80 per room, per night. 

For more information on the “End of Summer Value Rates,” or to make a reservation, visit www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com , specificallyhttp://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/2013-summer-value-rates (or http://tinyurl.com/kqnbvkd ). Some blackout dates may apply.

Taking advantage of the special rates also will enable you to enjoy such other benefits of staying at one of the seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels as:

·    Disney tickets available to purchase at each hotel

·    Advance tee times and discounts at all Walt Disney World® golf courses

·    Disney Merchandise store located in each hotel

·    and ability to book advance dining and dinner show reservations for all restaurants across the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Special events at the Walt Disney World® Resort include:

·    Night of Joy – September 6–7, 2013, at Magic Kingdom® Park

·    Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – select nights September 10 – November 1, 2013, at Magic Kingdom® Park

·    Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival – September 27 - November 11, 2013, at Epcot®.

New Fantasyland, which is the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom® Park, offers more immersive enchantment and interactive experiences. It features two new themed areas:  Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus. Enchanted Forest attractions and experiences include Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid; Be Our Guest Restaurant; Enchanted Tales with Belle; Ariel’s Grotto; and Gaston’s Tavern. Storybook Circus attractions include:  The Barnstormer; Dumbo The Flying Elephant; Casey Jr Splash ‘N’ Soak Station; Pete’s Silly Sideshow; and Fantasyland Station. New Fantasyland will feature more additions through 2014, which will include Princess Fairytale Hall, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Among the many coupons featured in the “2013 Downtown Disney Deals” booklet are discounts at Rainforest Café, T-Rex, Wolfgang Puck Express, Steve Baker Caricatures, Lego Imagination Center, Planet Hollywood Downtown Disney®, House of Blues® Restaurant, La Nouba^TM by Cirque du Soleil®, Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant, Bongo’s Cuban Café®, and Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop.

“This is a great time to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort,” said Ed Gilbert, chairperson of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels’ marketing committee. “The attendance at the theme parks is often lighter, and all of the special events at the Walt Disney World® parks are wonderful. Taking advantage of the ‘End of Summer Value Rates’ is a great way to experience the many offerings of the Walt Disney World Resort.”

Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels (www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com) is a consortium of seven Official Walt Disney World® Resort hotels that includes:  the 18-story Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, surrounded by 12 acres of lush tropical landscaping; the newly renovated, sophisticated 1,014-room Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa; the 229-suite Doubletree Suites by Hilton, the only all-suite resort hotel in the Downtown Disney® Resort Area; the 814-room, full-serviceHilton Orlando Resort, featuring seven on-site restaurants; the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown, which recently completed a $35 million top-to-bottom renovation; the 394-room Royal Plaza Hotel, featuring beautiful oversized guest rooms with two double beds or a king bed, plus a pullout double sofa; and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, featuring new rooms, a new lobby area, and two outdoor pools.

With nearly 30 food and beverage outlets and restaurants, more than 3,600 rooms and scores of amenities, the Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels offer a rate, space and menu to please every guest. Located in the heart of the Downtown Disney® area, these properties are within walking distance of some of the area's best shopping, dining and entertainment.

For reservations, or more information, visit www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com