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So far Rachell Cowan Canino has created 2685 blog entries.

35.1% of Dominicans engaged in domestic tourism in the last year

35.1% of Dominicans engaged in domestic tourism in the last year Currently, 35.1% of the Dominican adult population has taken at least one trip within the country in the last 12 months. Of this group, 30.5% reported an average spending of more than RD$10,000 per person, primarily for vacations, visits to family or friends, and work-related activities. This is revealed by the recent results of the First National Survey of Domestic Tourism (ENTÍ) of the Dominican Republic, corresponding to June 2025, prepared by the Center for Tourism Studies and Local Development (CETDEL) and Quantum Analytics, with the collaboration of the Ibero-American University (UNIBE). However, despite its high potential for communities, this type of tourism faces limitations, according to economist Huáscar Jiménez, executive director of Cetdel. He indicated that domestic tourism is a necessary but still limited practice with great potential. “The data shows that domestic tourism is key to the country’s economic and [...]

By |2025-07-21T13:45:24-04:0021 de July de 2025|Tourism|Comments Off on 35.1% of Dominicans engaged in domestic tourism in the last year

Time to rethink Caribbean tourism

Time to rethink Caribbean tourism By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean For decades, Caribbean tourism has been synonymous with sun, sea, and sand. These natural assets remain a source of beauty, pride, and economic promise. During my four years in the region, I’ve had the opportunity to experience this firsthand—both in my professional capacity, visiting nearly every country across the Caribbean, and in my personal life, traveling with family and friends to explore its rich culture, landscapes, and communities. While the allure of the Caribbean is undeniable, the model of tourism that has developed around it is under strain. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities of tourism-dependent economies. It also created a moment of reflection—a chance to reconsider what kind of tourism serves the region best, not just today but in the long term. Tourism contributes over 22 percent of GDP across the Caribbean and supports 2.75 [...]

By |2025-07-14T13:28:28-04:0014 de July de 2025|Business|Comments Off on Time to rethink Caribbean tourism

Sosúa business leaders support government plan to revitalize tourism

Sosúa business leaders support government plan to revitalize tourism The main business organizations in Sosúa have publicly endorsed the Dominican government’s recent urban planning initiatives aimed at revitalizing the town as a model of sustainable and family-friendly tourism. In a joint statement, the Sosúa Sustainable Development Association (ADSS) and the Sosúa and Cabarete Hotel and Restaurant Association (ASHORESOCA) praised President Luis Abinader and government agencies for their efforts to reclaim public spaces, regulate informal commerce, and improve security. The organizations described the government’s actions as a necessary response to long-standing challenges that have hindered Sosúa’s tourism development. They see these measures as the beginning of a broader transformation to position Sosúa as a safe, organized, and appealing destination for both local and international families. “Sosúa deserves a real opportunity to be reborn as a first-class family tourism destination,” the statement concluded. Source: Dominican Today

By |2025-07-14T13:26:20-04:0014 de July de 2025|Business, Outstanding news|Comments Off on Sosúa business leaders support government plan to revitalize tourism

CHTA reveals 2025 dates for premier Caribbean Tourism Industry events

CHTA reveals 2025 dates for premier Caribbean Tourism Industry events One of the Caribbean tourism industry’s most popular professional development and networking events is set to return this November. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced that the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean are set to take place November 16 thru November 18, 2025 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort. Created by, and for, the Caribbean hospitality community—CHIEF and Taste of the Caribbean are designed to bring together industry leaders, rising professionals and culinary talent from across the region. Together the two Caribbean events aim to foster knowledge sharing, showcase innovation and celebrate the vibrant culture and creativity that the region's tourism industry has come to be known for, CHTA said in a statement. This year’s CHIEF focus will be “Innovating Caribbean Tourism for a Disrupted World: Adapting with Purpose, Leading with [...]

By |2025-07-14T13:21:37-04:0014 de July de 2025|Events, Outstanding news|Comments Off on CHTA reveals 2025 dates for premier Caribbean Tourism Industry events

Making AI the passenger for smarter tourism

Making AI the passenger for smarter tourism Woman standing at airport lounge looking at her mobile phone and smiling. Business traveler at airport waiting for the flight. Research in the International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has shown how artificial intelligence can be used to make personal recommendations on stopping-off places when one is traveling. The approach could optimize the route one takes and so reduce travel times and fuel consumption if traveling by road, for instance, while at the same time offering surprising and interesting places one might visit that reflect one's individual preferences and practical constraints. The system moves away from conventional travel planning, which typically suggests only the most popular destinations and largely ignores user needs or schedules. At the center of the research is a novel method for identifying and ranking points of interest, a term that encompasses landmarks, museums, scenic areas, and other tourist sites. While popularity [...]

By |2025-07-14T13:16:43-04:0014 de July de 2025|Outstanding news, Tourism|Comments Off on Making AI the passenger for smarter tourism

Copa Airlines opens reservations for connections to Puerto Plata and Santiago

Copa Airlines opens reservations for connections to Puerto Plata and Santiago Copa Airlines has formally announced the addition of Puerto Plata to its route network in the Dominican Republic, with flights beginning on January 13, 2026, and to Santiago on January 15, 2026. With this, passengers interested in traveling on the new routes or to any of the airline’s destinations can now make their reservations through the official website copa.com, as well as at their preferred sales offices and travel agencies. The flight to the Dominican north coast becomes the airline’s fourth gateway to the country, joining existing operations in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo , and Santiago de los Caballeros. The Gregorio Luperón International Airport will have three weekly flights. These flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, according to the following schedule: Panama – DR: Departs Panama City at 7:55 a.m., arriving in Puerto Plata at 11:32 a.m. (local time). DR – Panama: Departs Puerto Plata at 12:37 p.m., landing in [...]

By |2025-07-14T13:14:23-04:0014 de July de 2025|Outstanding news, Transportation|Comments Off on Copa Airlines opens reservations for connections to Puerto Plata and Santiago

Sargassum-free Cuban beaches: Caribbean havens with crystal-clear waters

Sargassum-free Cuban beaches: Caribbean havens with crystal-clear waters Photo: TTC. A collaboration by Rachell Cowan Canino As the Caribbean faces record-breaking sargassum seaweed accumulation, Cuba is emerging as a destination with preserved beaches where visitors can enjoy clear waters and golden sands without the threat of the pesky brown algae. Numerous coastlines in the western and central parts of the island maintain optimal conditions thanks to ocean currents and environmental management strategies. To understand this environmental phenomenon, it is important to highlight that the massive arrival of sargassum in the Caribbean is linked to climate change: rising ocean temperatures, altered currents, and nutrients derived from human activities. When these algae decompose, they generate hydrogen sulfide, which causes headaches, eye irritation, and impacts marine ecosystems. Countries like Mexico and the Dominican Republic have implemented containment barriers and intensive cleanup, but Cuba stands out for the stability of its beaches in [...]

By |2025-07-14T13:05:44-04:0014 de July de 2025|Outstanding news, Tourism|Comments Off on Sargassum-free Cuban beaches: Caribbean havens with crystal-clear waters

Canadian tourism market recovering in Cuba 

Canadian tourism market recovering in Cuba By Daily Pérez Guillén Outbound tourism to Cuba from the Canadian market is making a recovery this summer compared to 2024 and 2023, as Lessner Gómez, Cuban tourism counsellor to Canada told TTC from Toronto. The representative of the Caribbean nation's Ministry of Tourism is confident that, "this will also be the case for the 2025-2026 winter season." "This summer, we have daily flights from Toronto and Montreal to the main destinations in Cuba, such as Varadero, Cayo Coco, Santa Clara, Holguín, Cienfuegos and Cayo Largo," he explained.   For the winter season, he confirmed the good news that has been circulating in recent days: "We will see a recovery in flights. For the first time, WestJet will operate from Toronto to Havana with two weekly flights. This should begin on December 18, which will be an opportunity for those clients who want to visit [...]

By |2025-07-08T21:03:04-04:008 de July de 2025|Outstanding news, Tourism|Comments Off on Canadian tourism market recovering in Cuba 

Iberojet focuses on more frequent flights to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo

Iberojet focuses on more frequent flights to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo Senior executives of Iberojet-Portugal, a company of the Spanish tourism group Avoris Corporación Empresarial, and the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Brazil, Patricia Villegas de Jorge, held a working meeting in which a possible critical route for more frequent flights to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo was outlined. With this, the Iberojet team is working on new strategic alliances to expand its presence in the Dominican Republic with a greater number of flights throughout the year. In this regard, the ambassador explained the strong need for the Dominican community and Portuguese citizens, as well as those from other member countries of the European Community, to have the facility to make direct trips from both Lisbon and Porto, considering the Dominican Republic’s position as a logistics and tourism hub in the region. Villegas de Jorge was welcomed by Antonio Loureiro, General Manager of Iberojet Portugal; Nuno Marques, Director of Operations at Iberojet; and [...]

By |2025-07-07T12:48:13-04:007 de July de 2025|Transportation|Comments Off on Iberojet focuses on more frequent flights to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo

Organizers launch countdown to World Music Festival’s 25th edition

Organizers launch countdown to World Music Festival’s 25th edition This past weekend the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) officially announced the launch of the 25th edition of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), revealing what organizers say is an exciting lineup of artists. Set to take place from October 24 to 26, 2025, at Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau, the  special commemorative  theme for the event will be: “Global Echoes of the Nature Island: Celebrating 25 Years of Creole Music, Magic, and Memories.” Marking a milestone anniversary, this edition highlights a fusion of musical talent and cultural pride, showcasing performances by regional icons, local legends, and international stars over three nights. DDA’s media release stated that the emphasis will be on Creole identity and Caribbean musical excellence. “The World Creole Music Festival is a cultural flagship that has elevated Dominica’s visibility and amplified the [...]

By |2025-07-07T12:46:30-04:007 de July de 2025|Events|Comments Off on Organizers launch countdown to World Music Festival’s 25th edition
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