we now have a new American school for young children and they want to get bigger and include all ages soon

Mariposa Azul American School
Educando para la Creatividad / Educating for Creativity
Calle Salomé Ureña #8, Las Terrenas, Provincia Samaná
snyder_annette@hotmail.com, 809-496-0245

Welcome/Bievenidos a
Mariposa Azul American School

Dear parents,
Thank you for the opportunity to work with your child. The preschool years are an exciting time of growth and development, and I am honored to share it with you and your child. Our goal here at Mariposa Azul American School is to encourage your child’s creativity, imagination and instill what will hopefully be a life long love of learning, at the same time that they are learning English or Spanish.
Children naturally learn through play, and here at Mariposa Azul we encourage learning through purposeful play. This is facilitated through the use of interest areas, as well as our circle times and group activities. Interest areas include:
• imaginative play and dressing up
• artistic endeavours of many kinds
• experimenting with games and puzzles
• exploring nature
• building with blocks
We’ll also learn through literature, music, movement and games. Children gain a sense of responsibility through carrying for our class pets and plants, as well as helping out with classroom clean-up.
All of these areas engage children in activities that address their socio-emotional, cognitive and physical development; important steps towards maximizing future academic and life success.
Let’s learn together and have fun!

Annette Snyder, MA
Director and Teacher

How to Buy a Beach Bargain on the Ultimate Caribbean Island Getaway

By Margaret Summerfield
I have a couple of friends who would be the typical tourists who visit the Dominican Republic. They head to Punta Cana each winter to escape the cold and rainy weather back home. They settle into their all-inclusive beach resort, kick back for a couple of weeks, and never venture far from the hotel. They dream of owning a second home on the island but think they can’t afford one. That’s down to the sky-high prices on the properties they look at close to their resort.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying that kind of vacation if that’s how you like to relax. But explore the world beyond the luxury hotel, and it’s easy to see that the Dominican Republic offers so much more than the bland, vanilla resort experience.
You see, you can afford a home on the “DR,” even on a modest budget. Simply head to Las Terrenas, in the Samana peninsula.
Las Terrenas is my favorite spot in the Dominican Republic. It’s a true getaway, with golden sands, bright blue sea, and graceful coconut palms. There’s plenty of space to spread out and relax on the gorgeous beaches. It’s a good spot for snorkeling, swimming, and soaking up the tropical sun…
You’ll enjoy eating out, too. The tiny wooden buildings lining the beach look quirky. But step inside and you’re in gourmet heaven. You might find a local bar serving chilled beer, fresh shrimp and lobster….or a fancy place with snowy napkins, soft music and candles.
You can walk to cafes, restaurants, the beach, stores, supermarkets, and nightclubs. Or you could try one of the crazy motorcycle taxis that whiz past, loaded with goods and passengers.
Outside the town, you’ll discover miles of white-sand beaches, and pretty coves. And you’ll see the new highway. It’s almost complete. It will make getting to Las Terrenas quicker and easier.
You can find property bargains in this little corner of the Caribbean. I’m looking at details of a condo my local contact just sent me. It’s in a small complex with a restaurant and swimming pool. It’s only 100 meters from this beach:

It’s on the market for $85,000.

8 REASONS TO RETIRE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

8 REASONS TO RETIRE IN THE CARIBBEAN
The Caribbean offers much to retirees, a warmer and sunnier climate, healthy produce and swimming at the beach every day. Some islands have great healthcare and you could even acquire a daily housekeeper for lower cost. Your children would have a holiday home in the sun that you can leave for them as an investment. There are plenty of reasons why you should retire to the Caribbean…..

1. More For Your Money
The economy in the Caribbean is generally going to give you more for your pension. You will have a lower food bill and utility bills are cheaper then in the UK. You won’t have high electricity or gas bills for heating, but the electricity bill may rise slightly in the summer, depending on whether you choose to use the fan more to keep cool.

2. Health Benefits
On some islands, there is an abundance of healthy produce for healthy eating, the air is cleaner as there is less traffic and you won’t be tempted to buy lots of donuts, because they aren’t easy to come by.

3. The Weather
It’s warmer, no more feeling cold to your bones in the winter. The sun shines more and anybody who has suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder will feel a lot better. If it looks like rain, it usually does rain, unlike Europe, where it can look like rain for days on end, but nothing happens to clear the skies to blue again.

4. Less Pressure
The pressure created by the media can be more easily escaped so that you can live more in your own world if you choose to and concentrate on how many grapefruits or pineapples you have growing in your garden instead of hearing horror stories on the news.

5. Enjoy Yourself
You can spend every weekend on a Caribbean beach if you like, and after 40 years of hard labor, surely that is what you deserve! Enjoy your retirement.

6. Social Life
You can still have your social life with the number of ex-pats in the Caribbean you can find people from your own country if that is your preference, or you can meet a whole host of new people from other places to make for more interesting conversations.

7. Internet Communications
With the help of the internet, you can easily stay in touch with your home country for family, friends and any business or money related activities that you need to attend to. You can also stay on top of the news and even watch your preferred television programes and listen to your favorite radio station. Programs like Skype allow you to SEE your loved ones and them to see you!

8. Family Holidays
If you see your children twice a year, then you could spend 2 weeks with them at their house and then they come to you for two weeks, that can add up to more time than many parents see their children, but it’s all in one go! They’ll have a place to stay in the Caribbean, and then you can always leave it for them for the future as an investment and/or holiday home.

–
Big Dan’s Polar Bar – Donde Siempre es Invierno!!!
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and as always
FROZEN DRINKS!
Las Terrenas, Samana, Dominican Republic
809-498-5689

1. Las Terrenas, Samana gets new aqueduct

1. Samana gets new aqueduct
President Leonel Fernandez was in Samana yesterday to formally inaugurate the Samana aqueduct. The areas of Las Terrenas, Carolina, Abra Grande, Atravesado, El Buen Pan, El Coson, La Bonita, La Ceiba and La Barbacoa in the northeastern province of Samana are benefitting from the new water supply. During the ceremony, President Leonel Fernandez opened the valves of the newly constructed aqueduct serving the Samana peninsula. The director of the National Institute for Potable Water (INAPA) Mariano German said that the Coson River is the main source of the water for the aqueduct. He said the new intake system, pumping station, water treatment plant and laboratories cost RD$858 million and provide 260 liters a second to the communities served. The aqueduct has its own electricity generator to insure continued water supplies.

New Water Treatment System for Las Terrenas

” Here is our new water system in Las Terrenas. We will be one of the first towns in the DR where you will be able to drink the water. This great water system will be inaugurated next month. The total cost is more than 16,000,000$. Everyone in Las Terrenas will have water 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

A large Brazilian company won the contract, the storage tank was built by the Americans and the water purification system was built by the Israelis. This is a state of the art system and is located in our beautiful Coson area.
The elites in Santo Domingo all have homes here and they want to make sure the great Las Terrenas area is the best area in the Dominican Republic. Contact us if you would like a tour of the plant.”

This is another great reason to live in Las Terrenas! If you haven’t yet purchased a property in LT you can visit www.drparadise.com for the latest hot deals.

Scotiabank

The Bank of Nova Scotia (in French, Banque de Nouvelle-Écosse, and commonly Scotiabank in English and Banque Scotia in French) is the third largest bank in Canada by deposits and market capitalization. The bank was founded in 1832 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and its primary corporate offices are located in Toronto, Ontario The company ranks at number 120 on the Forbes Global 2000 listing. 

Scotiabank is proud to be the only Canadian bank serving the Dominican Republic. Through 54 branch locations across the country, we offer a broad range of retail and commercial services, including electronic cash management.

Scotiabank established branches in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1920, and we continue to offer the benefit of our international banking expertise to local and non-resident customers.

If you’re dreaming of buying a vacation home here, take advantage of our extensive experience, regional knowledge and network of local professional contacts. We can help you through the process, so you feel comfortable and assured that you’re making informed decisions.

Scotiabank is at home in the Dominican Republic, where you’ll discover modern sophistication, old world charm and a colorful fusion of Spanish, French, Haitian and African influences. Experience the wonders of land and sea with endless outdoor activities and adventures. Commune with nature, hiking and bird watching at one of the many picturesque national parks, or relax on sun-drenched, palm-studded beaches. And when the sun sets, the world-class casinos and exciting jazz clubs will entice you to join in the island’s unique and vibrant culture.

Scotiabank is part of the community and culture of the Dominican Republic.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS FOR RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES (FINISHED PROPERTIES) AND CONSTRUCTION FINANCING

- 8% Interest Rate for residences (subject to review at the time of disbursement). 9% Interest rate for construction.
- Competitive legal expenses. We only charge the legal expenses of the operation, such as Mortgage Registration Tax and Property Transfer Tax. Scotiabank charges no closing fees.
- For loans from US$0.00 to US$1,500,000, we finance up to 70% for up to 25 years.
- For loans from US$1,500,001 to US$2,500,000, we finance up to 65% for up to 20 years.
- Personalized services
- Fast and efficient disbursement.
- Financing of one property per customer.
- Title deeds must be transfer in the personal name of customer

KEY CHARACTERISTICS FOR LAND LOTS FINANCING
- 9% Interest Rate
- 50% financing
- Maximum amount US$750,000
- Maximum term 15 years

Requirements for USD mortgage loans are the following:

APPLICANT
- Copy of passport and identification document
- Last two income tax statements
- Authorization to issue a Credit Bureau Report from the customer’s country of residence
- Income letter, if an employee
- Letter of reference of your 2 primary banks at your country of residence
- Evidence of assets in your country of residence
- Assignment of insurance policy (to be issued in DR with Scotia Corredores de Seguros)
- Appraisal of the property by a bank authorized appraiser to be made in DR

However, there may be cases where, due to the nature of the customer and their credit profile, we would need to request additional documents

Scotiabank can modify the product features described in this letter according to market conditions.

About the account, Scotiabank requires,

- Copy of Passport and other identification ID, like drivers license, social security card or social insurance card.
- Two reference letters addressed to Scotiabank; One from a bank you’ve had a business relationship for the last two years; and one from a professional colleague (or two from banks that you’ve had business relationship)
- Because of your status as a foreigner in the Dominican Republic in order for us to process an amount above USD$10,000.00, its origin is needed for processing purposes and to abide by the local laws. Please provide us with bank references as well as proof of the origin of the cash.
- For Canadian residents, due to a Canadian Government disposition, only checking account are available.

 

The aqueduct of Las Terrenas will be inaugurated next February

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- President Leonel Fernández inaugurated on Thursday the province’s aqueduct, Los Algarrobo aqueduct, and the rehabilitation works of the Catey aqueduct regulator tank. All these works were realized by the Institute of Water and Sewerage (INAPA), at a cost of 5 800 millions pesos.

The president, accompanied by the director of INAPA, Marino Germán, iinaugurated the three aqueducts that will benefit 187,000 inhabitants of the area.

24 works of this type were delivered by the Government this year and 149 since 2004. INAPA director offered details of the work and said that water quality is guaranteed.It is a first quality water, said Germán.

Germán also announced that the aqueduct of Las Terrenas will be inaugurated next February.

The aqueduct has a treatment plant with capacity of 600 liters per second, seven tanks with a capacity of million 300 thousand gallons of water and distribution networks have a length of 132 km.

The aqueduct of Los Algarrobos was built at a cost of 8 million pesos and will distribute clean water to 538 people, while rehabilitation of the regulating reservoir of the aqueduct El Catey cost 776 millions pesos.

Las Terrenas Live, 12.11.10

ParadiseHunter.com’s online search for a TV series host goes viral – generating more than 2 million hits in the past 4 days, with daily traffic doubling in the last 3 days.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, October 8, 2010 – With the launch of the online competition for a host of the “Paradise Hunter” Travel TV Series, ParadiseHunter.com has experienced explosive growth.

“The response has been incredible,” says Dennis Kambeitz, CEO and Founder of Paradise Hunter, “In the first 3 weeks of the competition we’ve had more visitors than the entire previous year, and our traffic has doubled in the last 3 days.”

Dennis believes the strong increase in traffic is due to the universal dream of finding one’s own paradise, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “Everyone has a vision of what Paradise means to them. For some people it’s a hammock on a beach, while for others it’s a small cabin on a mountain lake. Paradise comes in many flavors and we’re giving someone the opportunity to find their own paradise. Then, once they’ve found it, we’re going to give them a property there worth up to $150,000. It’ll be a dream come true for someone, and you can see how it’s affecting people in the sincerity and emotional tone of some of the application videos.”

Though the competition is just three weeks old, word is already going viral. “We’re seeing huge responses from sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube,” says Dennis, “people are excited about the opportunity, and they’re telling their friends, not just in North America, but around the world.”

Applications have come in from countries like India, Brazil and South Korea. “We’ve been having an amazing time here and we love watching the new videos.” says Dennis. “There’s a really great energy around the office; everyone’s having a lot of fun.”

About the Job & Application Process

The job, which pays $60,000 USD, will have the host traveling the world learning about the life, culture and sights of each country. Along the way, they’ll meet locals and expatriates as they explore the world in search of their paradise. Once they’ve found it, they’ll be given a property worth up to $150,000 in that country. Alternatively, they can choose to put the $150,000 towards years worth of vacation rentals, so they can keep exploring the world.

Applicants from around the world, 18 years and older, are invited to send in a one-minute video showing why they would make the perfect Paradise Hunter. 10 of the 40 semi-finalists will be determined by popular vote.

Videos will be accepted until November 5th. No experience is required. For more details, and to apply, visit the “52 Weeks Paid Vacation” competition at http://www.ParadiseHunter.com.

About Paradise Hunter

ParadiseHunter.com is a website that connects people who are looking to buy, sell, and rent vacation homes and properties around the world. In addition to thousands of vacation rental and real estate listings, the website features detailed information on many paradise destinations and offers its visitors incredible travel deals on flights, hotels, and vacation packages.

Paradise Hunter is headed by Dennis Kambeitz, a 20-year veteran of the TV industry. The Paradise Hunter team has been involved in the production of more than 300 episodes of broadcast television, airing in more than 70 countries worldwide, on such networks as CBC, CTV, Global, Life Network, Fine Living, ESPN, TSN, and ABC and NBC affiliates.

Contact:

Paradise Hunter Inc.
403-216-3434
media@paradisehunter.com

http://www.ParadiseHunter.com

Man, it is time to make some investments here…you can’t go wrong!

Samana “Atlantic Tourist Boulevard” predicts that this new highway will increase internal tourism.

Tuesday, 25 de May de 2010

Samaná’s Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico (Atlantic Tourist Boulevard) will lead to a significant increase in flight frequencies to Juan Bosch International Airport (El Catey).

Elsa De León Tool, deputy Tourism minister for the province of Samaná, predicts that this new highway will increase internal tourism and hotel occupancy and will bring the region closer to the capital and to Las Americas International Airport.

She said that the road would give El Catey airport the boost it needs, because it hasn’t met initial expectations due to the current poor state of the roads. It will also make it easier for tour operators to sell Samaná because its remoteness has always put it at a disadvantage despite being such an attractive destination.

Hotels would also increase their profits once they don’t have to absorb the cost of transferring passengers from Las Americas Airport. Both large and small businesses in the area will be able to increase their service capacity, said De León.

Other direct beneficiaries would be the transport companies, which spend a lot of money on spare parts and tires due to the current state of the roads.

The deputy minister says that despite the fact that Samaná is a paradise on earth due to its natural beauty, road access in some areas is almost completely nonexistent. For this reason, tour operators prefer to send their clients to the eastern region.

The Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico has been awarded international recognition as the best financed project of the year, as the first project being financed by four multilateral agencies – the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and French financial entity Proparco.

Wow…look at all these accolades!!!

Dominican Today News – Santo Domingo and Dominican Republic
August 14, 2010, Updated 7:33 AM
Tourism – 2 August 2010, 3:10 PM

SANTO DOMINGO.- /PRNewswire/ — Thousands of readers from around the world elected the Dominican Republic (DR) as the Best Value Destination, according to Budget Travel’s “Readers Choice Awards.” Budget Travel’s Editor in Chief, Nina Willdorf, stopped by NBC’s “The Today Show,” on Thursday, July 29, to announce winners of the magazine’s “Readers Choice Awards” and recognize DR as an affordable and easily-accessible destination for U.S. travelers.

The DR Minister of Tourism’s Vice Minister of International Promotion Magaly Toribio mentioned, “We are honored to be voted a ‘Best Value Destination’ by Budget Travel readers. The award is so meaningful to us because it comes from savvy travelers who have visited the DR and experienced firsthand our refreshing offerings and lively culture. The DR Ministry of Tourism will continue to exceed expectations so that visitors can enjoy our country’s diverse eco-activities, magnificent nature, world-class beaches and sophisticated accommodations to suit every budget and taste.”

Nina Willdorf, Budget Travel editor, noted, “Budget Travel readers are always looking for affordable, exotic vacation ideas and the DR was the

clear front-runner

in the category for best value destination. The DR is an easy island escape that’s close to home.”

“With eight international airports, the DR is an easy, direct flight from most major U.S. gateways. With sophisticated cities, resort communities and charming towns and villages in a country with warm, friendly people, the DR is receiving accolades from many top travel organizations as a must-see destination,” Toribio added.

The DR’s luxury accommodations, unique culture, rich history and natural beauty have not gone unnoticed. Other top rankings and honors for the DR in 2010 include:

Lavish Accommodations & Locations

USA TODAY included Excellence Resorts’ Excellence Punta Cana on its “10 Great Places to Get Everything Under the Sun” and “10 Great Resorts for Warm-Weather Escape.”

Conde Nast Traveler named the Peninsula House in Samana on the DR’s stunning Northeast Coast as the most luxurious place in the Caribbean and the top-scoring property in the Americas on its venerable Gold List 2010 issue.

Travel Agent Magazine named Barcelo Punta Cana one of the top five green resorts in the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda in 2010.

USA TODAY included the Golden Dolphin Villa in Cabrera on the DR’s North Coast on its list of “10 Great Places for a Family Reunion” in 2010.

Punta Cana Resort and Club’s posh Tortuga Bay Hotel in the DR received the AAA Five Star Diamond Award.

Luxury Living International mentioned Coson Beach in Las Terrenas, DR and Juanillo Beach in Punta Cana, DR on its list for the “Top 10 Beaches to Live on in Paradise,” in 2010.

Teeing Off

GolfWeek selected Punta Espada Golf Course in Cap Cana as the best course of the Caribbean and Mexico for 2010. This acknowledgment marks the second consecutive year that the course has earned the top spot in the magazine’s annual ranking.

GolfWeek has included nine Dominican golf courses on its “2010 Best Courses of the Caribbean and Mexico:” Teeth of the Dog Golf Course (Casa de Campo) in La Romana; Dye Fore Golf Course (Casa de Campo) in La Romana; Playa Grande Golf Course in Rio San Juan; Roco Ki Faldo Legacy Golf Course in Macao, Punta Cana; La Romana Country Club (Casa de Campo); Guavaberry Golf & Country Club in Juan Dolio; La Cana Golf Course (PUNTACANA Resort & Club); and Links Golf Course (Casa de Campo) in La Romana.

Top Travel Destinations

Santo Domingo received the 2010 Cultural Capital Award from the American Capital of Culture. (www.cac-acc.org)

Budget Travel named Samana Peninsula, DR one of its “Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2010.”

CNN included the DR as one of its recommendations for “Affordable and Accessible Vacations in 2010.”

Travel + Leisure named the DR and Los Haitises National Park on its list of “30 Romantic Dream Trips 2010.”

Orbitz.com listed Punta Cana, DR as number eight on its list of “Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for 2010.”

Coastal Living named Saona Island in the DR on its list of “Top 31 Best Beach Vacations,” in 2010.

comment(s)
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Written by: Ricardolito, 2 Aug 2010 3:31 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
For those golfers who have not yet tried the new Jack Nicklaus course Cana Bay ,,you are in for a real treat ,,it is as good as Dye Fore in my opinion ,,and that is far better than Punta Espada, day in , day out ,but not advertised as much .

From: Dominican Republic
I cannot believe you can even compare the Cana Bay course or even suggest it is better than Punta Espada or the Dye Fore course. I take it you are not that good of a golfer and had a good round at Cana Bay?

La Estancia is a much better course than Cana Bay for the money.

Written by: xwill7, 2 Aug 2010 4:08 PM

Make sure your insurance is paid up.
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: underpar, 2 Aug 2010 5:02 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Insurance?
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: Blutarsky, 2 Aug 2010 5:56 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Barbacoa Samana in the Hills
The DR is all things to all groups …..Low end to Carriage trade and everything in between
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: Ricardolito, 2 Aug 2010 8:13 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
underpar ..firstly are we talking about the same course ;;I am talking about the course just inland from Macau beach . secondly ..I consider the design of the course and it´s condition , even in it¨s first four months to be outstanding .
I was invited there to give an assessment of the course so I did not pay and I played from the middle tees , not right at the back .Dye fore and Punta Espada are top courses but I felt that the variety of holes was better at Cana Bay and it tested out the mid irons very well .It is a much tighter course than Dye Fore and longer than Punta Espalda .I also liked the use of false fronts on quite a few greens and I thought the ninth hole quite exceptional , I was surprised that all the pathways for the carts were so well done and that there was no scruffiness ,,it was also free of mosquitos that ruin the Faldo course next door .
La Estancia is a cheap golfing day and has a few good holes in rather dreary surrounds but we are lucky to have all.
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: Ricardolito, 2 Aug 2010 8:15 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
ah yes ,,my golf has seen better days as ,indeed I have myself but I still can hold my own with almost all in the DR ..thank goodness for my caddy and a good carrito de golf
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: abc200, 2 Aug 2010 9:21 PM
From: United Kingdom
DR is going from strength to strength!
S.
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Written by: underpar, 4 Aug 2010 12:19 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Ricardolito,
You are talking about the course at Moon palace now Hard Rock correct?
The course is brand new so the cart paths should be perfect! That course is resort style and far from Nicklaus best work and not even close to Punta Espada but hey we all have a diffrent opinion of beauty I guess. La Estancia you say has drab surroundings really? Its a new project so it take tme to mature but I wonder if you actually played the same course the views of the chavon river and gorge carries are simailar to the dye fore. Holes 2,3 ,4, 5 and the 6th are wonderful. The 10th 11th 13th 17th,18th are great holes so I am not sure what you see in a golf course. The condition off all of these courses is excellent with the new paspalum. The club house and driving range at La Estancia is also excellent how about at the Cana bay course? The practice facility at Cap Cana is tremendous and the colors of the ocean something you cannot compare. Cap Cana is a gem period! I personally love the Teeth
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: underpar, 4 Aug 2010 12:23 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Maybe we can play for a few bucks?
I always enjoy a good match and making a little walk around money afterwards.
Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: abc200, 5 Aug 2010 4:03 PM
From: United Kingdom
DR tourism is growing fast with new facilities coming on stream!

Report as spam/innapropiate
Written by: Atabey, 5 Aug 2010 9:39 PM
From: United States

MORE NEWS
New direct flights from Palm Beach to Dominican Republic
Taxes and slums in tourist areas harm Dominican tourism industry

Dominican Republic’s top hotels exhibit starts next week

Direct Air announces Florida-Dominican Republic flight

Samaná hoteliers hail Las Galeras highway advance

Cultural Tourism arrives in the Dominican heartland

Cruise ship passengers will no longer pay US$15 airport fee

Journalists are asked to compete for Epifanio Lantigua Tourism Prize

Budget Travel readers name Dominican Republic Best Value Destination

Tourism official wants everybody to help improve Dominican destination

Tourism’s new strategies aim to attract more Europeans for high season

Dominican Republic boosts effort to attract private airplane tourism

AirTran announces new flight to Punta Cana

New road getting closer to completion

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2010/8/11/36614/Samana-hoteliers-hail-Las-Galeras-highway-advance

Lawmakers seek to solve development deadlock in Las Terrenas

Lawmakers seek to solve development deadlock in Las Terrenas

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Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.- Legislators of the Chamber of Deputies Tourism and Environment commissions met with investors, workers, freight unions and merchants of Las Terrenas, Samaná, in the wake of on the conflicts with local Environment Ministry officials.

Different sectors of the tourist community organized the meeting held in the hotel Alisei, on complaints that Environment drags its feet in issuing permits and harasses promoters.

Environment commission president Mario Fernandez, and Juan Maldonado of the Tourism commission, said the locals allege that Environment officials have halted around 30 projects, and has led to higher unemployment and a drop in sales of construction materials among others.

They said the people also denounced extortion against some promoters.

Although Environment minister Jaime D. Fernandez Mirabal didn’t attend, in a statement cautioned the promoters to comply with the Environmental Law, to protect the natural resources. He said he will meet with Environment representatives so they explain why the projects were halted.

Fernandez Mirabal and vice minister Ernesto Reyna have revealed the forging of environmental permits in Las Terrenas, and that many promoters don’t want to adhere to the Environmental Law.

They’ve denied that 30 projects have been halted, after showing a list of 20 currently in the evaluation system, and most of those already have permits.

However projects adviser Litvinf Martinez said Environment personnel resort to “petty extortion” against many promoters whom he affirms have to pay a “toll” to expedite the permits. “At the pace we’re going there’s increasingly more legal security for turbid deals.

Defenders say that representitives of the Ministry of Environment in Las Terrenas are extorting…

Defenders say that representatives of the Ministry of Environment in Las Terrenas are extorting…

The Minister of Environment requested that the abuses be reported….

BREAKING NEWS: LAS TERRENAS – The Minister of Environment & Natural Resources, Mirabal was made following reports by project developers in Las Terrenas claiming to be victims of extortion by local officials. However, the minister said that the contractors also acted illegally, and fears it is an attempt to discredit officials…

He added that many of the developers built without permits and in some cases – as in Las Terrenas – produced forged permit certificates.

“They must be judged, as we do in cases of extortion. If they (the developers) know by whom they have been extorted. The Ministry of Environment says that when someone is guilty of misconduct, they should be punished”.

tourism

Hola
Dos posibilidades de Turismo .
1 / INTERNACIONAL .. simple lujo ..una tradicion …
2 / NACIONAL …agua de dios ..una bendicion mas ¡¡¡
Que chulo papi ¡¡

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Direct Flights from the U.S.A.

Rumor has it that 3 new Cities will add direct flights to El Catey/Samana Peninsula starting in December. This means it is only a 15-20 minute drive to Las Terrenas now!!!

Anyone have solid news of this??? What a change it will mean for Las Terrenas and the Samana Peninsula! Time to get in is NOW!!!!!!!!!