Barahona is situated two hours west of Santo Domingo. The region is the perfect destination for the ecotourist. Small hotels abound.
The "Los Patos" beach was the perfect venue for the "Larimar Surfing Championship 2013," held from May 31 to June 1 and which included the following categories: Surfing, Boarding Board, SUP (provisional) and Longboard.
Organizers
The competition was organized by the Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF), and co-sponsored by the Tourism Cluster of Barahona Province, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Dominican Tourism Competitiveness Consortium (CDTC), the Ministry of Sports, the Dominican Olympic Committee, the International Surfing Association, the Pan American Surf Association and the South Surfing Association (ASDS).
Barahona
The city of Barahona is located in the country's southwest region, approximately two hours west of Santo Domingo. The region is rich in major ecotourism attractions, and in small-scale accommodations. One of the region's most important hotels is "Casa Bonita," a boutique hotel that is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. "Casa Bonita" is situated next to "Los Patos", a popular local beach. Other popular hotels: Rancho Platon, Hotel Guarocuya, Hotel Caribe, Hotel Gran Marquiz, Hotel Costa Larimar, Aparthotel and Pontevendra, among others. For more information: www.orgullodemitierra.com.do.
Occidental Trophy Golf Tournament 2013
The eighth annual Occidental Trophy Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, July 20, at the La Romana Country Club, in Casa de Campo. The tournament will be officially announced on Wednesday, July 10, at a press conference to be held at the Garden Deck of the Occidental El Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo. Participants in the press conference will include the tournament director, and representatives from the Dominican Golf Federation, La Romana Country Club, Occidental Vacation Club and Occidental Hotels & Resorts.
The Awards Gala Dinner "Occidental Trophy'13″ will be held on Friday, July 26, at the Garden Tent of the Occidental El Embajador Hotel. Event organizers will present the final awards during the gala dinner.
The tournament has become an important national and international golf tournament, and is part of the Infogolf Americas Circuit. And is years past, the tournament will be featured on the Golf Route Program, which airs throughout Latin America through the Golf Channel.
Santo Domingo and Saona Island among the top ten Caribbean destinations
The Colonial City of Santo Domingo and the Hostal Nicolas de Ovando MGallery, run by Accor, are included in the list of the ten best places in the Caribbean to vacation this summer. The selection was made by the online newspaper Caribbean Journal, an important resource for travellers to the Caribbean.
According to Caribbean Journal the MGallery Hostal Nicolas de Ovando, located in Santo Domingo's colonial section, is the perfect destination for anyone wanting to visit the area.
It also points out that Santo Domingo's colonial section "is one of the great destinations in the region for those who want to explore..." the historic beauty of the first city of the Americas. Santo Domingo's colonial section has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The publication also explains that the Nicolas de Ovando hotel operates in a sixteenth century structure, and offers visitors interesting attractions such as how cigars are rolled.
The 104 room hotel is located on the first paved street in the Americas, "Calle Las Damas," and is surrounded by some of the oldest colonial buildings in the Americas.
The colonial palace, built in 1502, was renovated and converted into a 5-star hotel featuring a pool, restaurant, bar, fitness center, free WiFi, and parking.
Saona Island
Saona Island came in second among the Caribbean's top ten destinations for diving. Caribbean Journal explains that this paradisiacal destination is frequently used to film movies. Its world-class beaches, and excellent water visibility, are the perfect combination for excellent dives.
Saona Island is located at the south-eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, and is part of the "Parque Nacional del Este," which serves as a sanctuary for several species of migratory birds.
Several tourism operators organize excursions, some in catamarans.
Tours usually leave from hotels in the following tourism regions: Punta Cana-Bavaro, La Romana-Bayahibe, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica or Santo Domingo.
These excursions will usually include lunch, beverages and transportation to and from the hotels. The boats to Saona leave from the beach at Bayahibe, in the country's eastern region.
Casa Colonial Beach & Spa selected as one of best boutique hotels in the Caribbean
Casa Colonial Beach & Spa Hotel, in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata - on the country's majestic north coast - was selected as one of ten best boutique hotels in the Caribbean by the online daily "Caribbean Journal." Details taken into consideration by the online newspaper on its decision to include the hotel in this coveted listing: overall environment, food quality, luxurious amenities, quality service, location, romantic ambience, accessibility and design. The rooms at the 50-room facility, with panoramic ocean views, are decorated in a modern, contemporary style. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Casa Colonial offers special packages for weddings and meetings, and features a modern spa and golf facilities.
The online publication also adds that the Caribbean region offers the international visitor an impressive variety of small and very charming boutique hotels that offer an elegant and relaxing ambience.
The magazine U.S. News & World Report featured Casa Colonial as the best hotel in Puerto Plata (2012), and was also included among the list of finalists in the Johansen 2011 award, issued by Conde Nast magazine. This particular award is given to the most prestigious resorts/spas in the world.
Dominican Republic: Leads the way in tourism revenues in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic is included in the list of the 50 cities that received op revenues from the tourism industry in 2012.
The information was provided by the World Tourism Organization. Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and the Dominican Republic are the four Latin American countries that are included on the list.
The Dominican Republic is the only nation from the Caribbean region to appear on the list. In 2012 revenue from the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic brought in US$4.5 billion.
A total of 4.6 million visitors visited the country that year through local international airports. During January-March of this year, approximately 1.5 international tourists visited the Dominican Republic.
Tourism-Generated Revenues
2007
4,064.2
2008
4,165.9
2009
4,064.9
2010
4,209.0
2011
4,352.8
2012
4,549.1
Source: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic 2013 golf calendar
The country's impressive annual golf calendar is more active than ever. Organizers have already begun to announce the year's big golf tournaments, including the Dominican Republic Open, organized by the Dominican Federation of Golf.
Casa de Campo Cuban Invitational 2013
This Invitational will take place at the internationally famous "Teeth of the Dog", golf course, in Casa de Campo, on August 1. The course was designed by the legendary Pete Dye and rated by Golf Magazine as the number one golf course in the Caribbean and number 43 in the top 100 courses in the world.
Calendar of Events
JULY
July - Aug. Merengue Festival in Santo Domingo: Every year top bands at Santo Domingo's seaside promenade, El Malecón, pump out the infectious music that is much loved by Dominicans at the Merengue Festival. Locals and tourists alike dance on the beach, in hotels and throughout the capital with amateur DJs on every block.
July - Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) World Sailing Championship: The championship is the most important sailing event to take place in Dominican Republic. Around 300 children and youth sailors from nearly 70 different countries are expected to participate. www.optiworlds2012.org
AUGUST
Aug. The Hotel & Restaurant Commercial Exhibition: The show, held at the Fiesta Hotel & Casino in Santo Domingo, offers a full range of product and services for all areas of the food service and lodging industry. www.Asonahores.com
SEPTEMBER
Sept. Symphony Orchestra Fall Season: Continues in Santo Domingo.
OCTOBER
Oct. Puerto Plata Merengue Festival: Vendors set up booths on both sides of the malecón the first week of October and sell a variety of homemade goods to eat, drink or wear, and a huge stage is erected for concerts by famous merengue musicians. www.PuertoPlata.com
UBICAR EN EL MAPA
Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 October 2013-Discover Puerto Plata International Fair -Due to the huge success of first event last October, Puerto Plata is once again hosting this event which aims to promote Puerto Plata to the local and international tourism/travel markets as the most complete and diversified Caribbean destination, with the wide variety of accommodation options, excursions and tours that Puerto Plata and the neighbouring region has to offer.
DISCOVERY Puerto Plata the tourism Fair not to be missed in the Dominican Republic. Save the date.
Oct. Dominicana Moda: Celebrates Dominican fashion one week each year in October. The event is usually held at the Occidental El Embajador Hotel. www.DominicanaModa.com
Oct - Jan Dominican Winter Professional Baseball: The winter season kicks off with series games taking place all across the country starting in September. Many U.S. MLB players began their careers in Dominican baseball. www.lidom.com/calendario.htm
NOVEMBER
Nov - Dominican Jazz Festival: Annual event held in Cabarete and Santiago that attracts large audiences who come to hear the best from international and national jazz musicians.www.DRjazzfestival.com
14-17 November - 2nd Dominican Annual Mice Exchange is the Caribbean's newest trade show set in the heart of Punta Cana the fastest growing destination in the region. http://damedr.com/
DECEMBER
Dec - La Noche Larga de los Museos: On this special night, all of the magnificent museums in Santo Domingo are open until midnight.
Dec. - New Year's Celebration: Every year a New Year's celebration is held on the Avenida del Puerto and the malecón in Santo Domingo.
Scooters Dominican Republic is the new option for tourist with mobility problems. Guests to the destination will now be able to enjoy the beach and the resorts during their holiday. For full information log on to: http://www.scootersdr.com/
For further information on the destination please contact: Pr.uk@godominicanrepublic.com
Tel/fax: 01962 711239 - Mobile: 07771681917 -
Website: www.godominicanrepublic.com
Photo: www.drsmartlibrary.com
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