About Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located on the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Hispaniola is the second-largest of the Greater Antilles islands and lies west of Puerto Rico and southeast of Cuba. Travel time by plane is less than two hours from Miami, Florida; less than four hours from New York City; and about seven hours from Spain or France. Columbus explored Hispaniola, now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, on his first voyage in 1492. Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital, is the oldest European settlement in the Western Hemisphere. Its rich history lives in many historical sites throughout the “Colonial Zone” of Santo Domingo and in other areas of the island. The major industries in the Dominican Republic are tourism and agriculture. The official language is Spanish. French, Italian, or English speaking Dominicans are mostly found in tourist areas and in Santo Domingo. Ethnicity is 16% white, 11%, black and 73% mixed. The population is estimated to be 8.5 million. The average temperature is 77°F (25°C). August is the warmest month and January the coolest—yet even then it is warm enough to swim.

Political Overview

The Dominican Republic is a politically stable, free and democratic nation. The President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernandez, served as President from 1996 to 2000, was elected with a large majority vote to a second term in 2004 and is up for re-election in 2008. Dr. Fernandez's political agenda has been one of economic and judicial reform and technological development. His administration has been recognized for its respect for human rights and civil liberties and for the economic growth that has occurred during both of his terms. A professor since 1979, Fernandez has lectured at numerous universities, including Yale, and has authored several books and numerous articles about politics, economics, communication, history and law.

Economic Overview

The growing Dominican economy has developed primarily due to a well-managed tourist flow and flourishing agricultural industries. US companies with a presence in the Dominican Republic include Johnson & Johnson, 3M, UPS, Abbot Laboratories, Baxter, Verizon, Citibank, Marriott, Hilton, Remax and Century 21. The currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP). The GDP growth rate is presently over 7% per year. The July 2006 implementation of DR-CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement) will stimulate trade between the United States and the Dominican Republic because $1 billion in taxes and tariffs will be removed for American companies involved in trade with the Dominican Republic.

Tourism

The Dominican Republic attracts the most tourist visitors of all the Caribbean islands. 2005 saw growth rates over 7% higher than 2004. Travel companies in the US and Europe are highlighting the Dominican Republic as a premier vacation destination. Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez stated that the Dominican government will be investing $5 billion in tourism infrastructure through 2008. Hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic is 74%. During the high season (12/15 - 4/30 and 7/15 - 8/31) hotel occupancy rates are currently as high as 95% in beach destinations. There are only 70,000 hotel rooms available to accommodate more than four million tourists per year. The majority of the tourists visiting the Dominican Republic come by air and stay for a minimum of one week. European tourists' average stay is two weeks. In the next 8 - 10 years, ten million tourists are expected to visit the Dominican Republic, requiring 250,000 rooms. The major tourist destinations in the DR include Punta Cana-known for it's large, upscale all-inclusive resorts; Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete-tourist areas popular with wind surfers and college students; La Romana and Casa de Campo; and the focus of recent tourist attention, the Samana Peninsula. The President-elect of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, Luis Lopez, forecasts that Samana will become the prime Caribbean destination with the opening of the El Catey International Airport. The Dominican Secretary of Tourism is focused on the Samana Peninsula, with the support of DR President Leonel Fernandez, who recently signed a plan to develop and promote the area. The Samana Peninsula is the only region with a government plan in place.

Golf

With over $6.5 billion in new mega resort developments covering a combined 33,000 acres, the Dominican Republic's (DR) East Coast has indelibly transformed into the quintessential destination for golf. New championship golf courses, marinas and luxury resort accommodations being developed will enhance a dozen well-known and loved existing championship golf courses, igniting golf tourism and transforming the area into the new international 'It' destination for golf. Luxury developments like Roco Ki and Cap Cana will feature phase one openings this year and many more golf courses, upscale hotel properties and marinas are planned over the next 12 years. "Our vision to grow the DR's East Coast into an upscale golfer's paradise is unfolding with great care to preserve and showcase the area's pristine beauty and eco-diversity," said Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez. "The DR has invested $400 million in tourism infrastructure and plans to add $1 billion more in developments such as new highways, road signs and other enhancements by 2012. These efforts encourage visitors to experience the DR with ease and savor our marvelous coastlines, lush green golf vistas and azure seas in year-round tropical weather." Among the already established golf courses there, the East Coast also reports an abundant amount of enhancements thoughtfully added to well-loved championship golf courses located at resorts such as Casa de Campo, Punta Cana Resort & Golf and more. Well-known designer courses in Punta Cana and La Romana boast phenomenal beauty and provide diverse golf that please an established following and attract many new loyal players. Moreover, new luxury communities like Cap Cana and Roco Ki are attracting many prestigious golf and U.S. hotel developments including Aman, Four Seasons, the Fairmont, Ritz Carlton and Westin luxury brand hotels. The East Coast area received 44 percent of the record-breaking first quarter 2008 visitor arrivals at the DR's busiest airport, Punta Cana International Airport.