The Latest News From The Dominican Republic

Major Resort Chain Wins Awards, Announces DR Renovations | Palladium Hotel Group reports securing 90 awards in 2015; announces major expansion to Punta Cana resort property. www.PalladiumHotelGroup.com   New Flights Between New York and Punta Cana Announced | Dynamic International Airways will launch flights from New York-JFK to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) beginning in early May 2016. www.AirDynamic.com  Santo Domingo City Hotels Join Together to Offer Beach Excursion | The Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, Holiday Inn Santo Domingo, Hodelpa Garden Suites and Emotions By Hodelpa have partnered to offer guests packages allowing easier access between the Juan Dolio beach area and historic city.

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

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.
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• 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.
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"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.

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