Carib Scope

标签： Dominican Republic

多米尼加共和国

  • WestJet adds new nonstop Winnipeg–Punta Cana route for winter 2026-27

    WestJet adds new nonstop Winnipeg–Punta Cana route for winter 2026-27

    Canadian carrier WestJet is continuing its strategic expansion in Caribbean leisure travel with the launch of a new nonstop air route connecting Winnipeg, Manitoba, to the top Dominican tourism hub of Punta Cana, slated for the 2026-27 winter travel season. The new weekly service is scheduled to launch on November 28, 2026, marking the first direct air connection for Manitoba-based travelers to Punta Cana during the peak winter holiday and vacation period, when cold weather drives high demand for warm Caribbean getaways.

    Alongside WestJet’s route expansion, sister vacation brand Sunwing Vacations has confirmed the relaunch of its popular vacation packages to the Dominican’s Puerto Plata region, with scheduled flights set to resume on November 4, 2026. Sunwing’s complete 2026-27 winter travel schedule, which operates through April 30, 2027, is already open for customer booking across all channels.

    WestJet officials noted that the network expansion in the Dominican Republic directly addresses rapidly rising consumer demand for winter travel to Caribbean and Mexican leisure destinations. The move also aligns with the airline’s long-term strategic growth plan for the high-demand winter travel season, which is one of the busiest periods for leisure carriers serving Canada’s market.

    “We’re excited to offer our guests more ways to swap their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizing the carrier’s focus on meeting traveler demand for convenient, direct access to top vacation spots.

    Industry analysts and tourism stakeholders expect the new Winnipeg-Punta Cana route to deliver mutual benefits for both Canadian travelers and the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector. As the second-largest source of international tourist arrivals to the Dominican Republic, Canada represents a critical market for the country’s tourism-driven economy. The new nonstop connection will open up the country’s most popular beach and resort destination to a whole segment of Canadian travelers who previously relied on connecting flights to reach Punta Cana, boosting overall visitor numbers and supporting local tourism jobs and businesses.

  • Cathay Pacific launches Hong Kong–Santo Domingo connection via Madrid

    Cathay Pacific launches Hong Kong–Santo Domingo connection via Madrid

    Hong Kong-based global carrier Cathay Pacific is advancing its strategic expansion across Latin America and the Caribbean through a new codeshare partnership with Spanish airline Iberia, which adds Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, to its growing global route network. This collaboration will enable passengers to book seamless through-travel between Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic, with a single connection through Madrid Barajas Airport.

    Notably, this new agreement marks the first time that the Dominican Republic, alongside Argentina, has joined Cathay Pacific’s official network, filling a long-standing gap in the carrier’s coverage of the Latin American region. The move is designed to deepen air connectivity between the Asian hub of Hong Kong and diverse markets across Central America and the Caribbean, opening new travel opportunities for both leisure and business passengers.

    To accommodate the growing demand created by this network expansion, Cathay Pacific has outlined plans to upgrade its existing Hong Kong-Madrid route. Starting October 25, 2026, the carrier will increase service frequency from four weekly rotations to a daily operation, adding three extra flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to the schedule. This frequency boost will not only support the new codeshare connections but also improve travel options for passengers heading directly to Spain or transferring to other European destinations.

    Beyond the addition of Santo Domingo, Cathay Pacific also revealed that it will launch new codeshare services to two additional Brazilian destinations: Fortaleza, a popular coastal tourism hub in northeastern Brazil, and Recife, another major urban and economic center in the same region. Like the Santo Domingo route, these new connections will also route through Madrid, leveraging Iberia’s existing extensive network across Latin America.

    Prior to this latest round of expansion, Cathay Pacific already operated codeshare services with partner airlines covering key destinations across Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The inclusion of Santo Domingo extends the carrier’s reach into the Caribbean, creating more flexible travel itineraries for passengers moving between Asian markets and the Caribbean-Latin American region. Industry analysts note that the expansion aligns with Cathay Pacific’s broader post-pandemic strategy of rebuilding and growing its global network by tapping into under-served emerging markets through strategic partnership rather than costly independent route launches.

  • Fitness influencer Paymi Marte alleges US$7,900 theft at Santo Domingo hotel

    Fitness influencer Paymi Marte alleges US$7,900 theft at Santo Domingo hotel

    A prominent US-based Dominican fitness creator and influencer, Paymi Marte, has come forward with allegations that nearly $8,000 in cash was stolen from her room at the high-end InterContinental Real Santo Domingo, one day before she was set to undergo a planned medical procedure during her trip back to her home country.

    Marte, who relocated to the United States and has built a social media following of more than 325,000 Instagram subscribers where she shares fitness, wellness, motherhood and lifestyle content and works as a wellness coach, entrepreneur and mentor, documented the incident across her social channels. She explained that she traveled from the U.S. specifically to have the surgery, and booked the well-known luxury hotel to ensure her personal belongings, cash and other valuables would remain secure during her stay.

    In her video posts, Marte noted that she first reported the missing money to hotel management, but was left frustrated when she felt her complaint did not receive the urgent, serious attention she expected as a paying guest. Following that underwhelming response, she chose to file an official report with the Dominican National Police to launch a formal investigation into the theft.

    Her sister, Belisa González, who is also an influencer, further detailed the incident in her own social media posts shared with her audience. González clarified that Marte noticed her wallet had been left open inside the room, which Marte was sharing with her sister and their mother, before confirming that all $7,900 in cash she had brought with her was gone.

    As of the latest update on the case, the InterContinental Real Santo Domingo has not released any public comment or response to Marte’s allegations. Dominican law enforcement authorities have also not shared any new details regarding the progress or status of their ongoing investigation.

  • Piñero invites nominations for third “Los + Ecoístas” awards promoting sustainable tourism

    Piñero invites nominations for third “Los + Ecoístas” awards promoting sustainable tourism

    In a move to amplify global momentum for environmental stewardship in the tourism and private sectors, Dominican hospitality leader Piñero has opened nominations for the third iteration of its prestigious “Los + Ecoístas” awards, a recognition program celebrating entities advancing sustainability across the Caribbean nation. This year marks a notable expansion of the initiative, with new categories adding content creators, independent environmental advocates, and specialized media outlets to the traditional pool of recognized companies, institutions, and industry partners. The awards program sits at the core of Piñero’s global “We Are Ecoístas” campaign, an overarching effort to embed responsible environmental practices across regional industries and cultivate a more ecologically conscious model for tourism development in the Dominican Republic. By opening recognition to communication-focused actors, the company aims to elevate the work of changemakers who use digital platforms, journalism, and public outreach to build widespread public support for climate action and conservation. Eligible nominations cover work across four key environmental focus areas: renewable and efficient energy systems, direct climate action, circular economy innovation, and biodiversity protection. Organizations and individuals interested in consideration have until September 14 to submit their entries, with winners set to be revealed at a dedicated ceremonial event scheduled for the end of 2024. In a unique addition to this year’s program, Piñero has formed collaborative partnerships with the Dominican Republic’s National Center for Handicrafts (Cenadarte) and the national Ministry of Culture to launch a special design competition. Up-and-coming local artisans are invited to compete to create the official award statuettes, an initiative designed to center sustainable craft practices and elevate emerging Dominican creative talent. Since the awards launched, a range of the country’s leading public and private entities have been honored for their environmental work. Past recipients include major national players Grupo Universal, Banco Popular Dominicano, Aerodom, the National Botanical Garden, Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, and electric mobility provider Evergo, all recognized for their measurable contributions to advancing conservation and sustainable development across the country.

  • Abinader inaugurates Plaza de la Bandera tunnel, easing traffic and improving southern connectivity

    Abinader inaugurates Plaza de la Bandera tunnel, easing traffic and improving southern connectivity

    On a Sunday ceremony in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader officially opened a transformative infrastructure project: the newly constructed Plaza de la Bandera tunnel and the fully revitalized surrounding public space. Developed to cut through persistent traffic gridlock across Greater Santo Domingo and strengthen transportation links between the capital and the nation’s southern region, the initiative marks a key milestone in the administration’s public works agenda.

    Stretching 1.2 kilometers with four travel lanes, the tunnel runs beneath the iconic Plaza de la Bandera, extending the existing Gregorio Luperón Avenue and eliminating one of the capital’s most crippling traffic chokepoints. Funded entirely through proceeds from the renegotiated Aerodom concession contract, the RD$3.3 billion project is projected to slash travel times for commuters, upgrade overall road safety standards, and deliver tangible benefits to roughly 300,000 local residents and frequent travelers.

    During his inauguration address, President Abinader framed the completed tunnel as a tangible demonstration of his government’s pledge to elevate the quality of life for Dominican citizens by building infrastructure that directly addresses daily transportation struggles. He also underlined that the surrounding public space renovation carefully preserved the deep historical and national symbolic value of Plaza de la Bandera, while bringing the area’s outdated road network into line with 21st-century mobility needs.

    Abinader further noted that the new tunnel is just one component of a far-reaching national strategy to improve connectivity between the capital and southern Dominican provinces. Complementary initiatives already underway or completed include the Pintura overpass, the new bypass roads around Baní and Azua, the expansion of the Santo Domingo cable car system toward Haina, and comprehensive upgrades to major highways connecting the provinces of San Cristóbal, Peravia, Azua, Barahona, and Pedernales.

    Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella shared that construction on the tunnel kicked off in February 2025 and was delivered ahead of schedule in approximately 18 months. Engineered to handle up to 2,500 vehicles per hour, the infrastructure includes a full suite of modern safety and operational features: advanced ventilation and gas extraction systems, cutting-edge fire suppression technology, backup power generators, real-time surveillance integrated directly with the national 911 emergency response system, and a dedicated on-site operations control center to monitor conditions around the clock.

  • Venezuela awards Dominican Republic highest humanitarian honor for earthquake relief

    Venezuela awards Dominican Republic highest humanitarian honor for earthquake relief

    In a remarkable display of cross-border solidarity following a devastating seismic disaster, Venezuela has bestowed its most prestigious humanitarian honor, the First Class Order of Hero of Venezuela, upon the Dominican Republic. The award recognizes the Caribbean nation’s swift and comprehensive emergency response to the destructive earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24.

    The formal recognition of the Dominican Republic’s lifesaving assistance came in an official correspondence from Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez to Dominican President Luis Abinader. In her letter, Rodríguez extended sincere gratitude to the Dominican government for its prompt and generous support, emphasizing that the rapid deployment of relief resources underscored the deep-rooted friendship, collaborative partnership and shared solidarity that bind the two nations.

    The honor was publicly announced during a formal ceremony held at the Dominican Republic’s National Palace. On the same occasion, President Abinader presented the Ministry of Defense’s Medal of Merit, Green Distinction for the Value of Solidarity, to every member of the Dominican rescue contingent that took part in the relief mission, dubbed Operation Quisqueya Solidaria 2026.

    Addressing the gathering, Abinader lauded the rescue team members for their exceptional professionalism, unyielding courage and unwavering commitment to their humanitarian mission. He hailed the group as “Dominican heroes,” noting that they represented the nation with great honor as they conducted search-and-rescue operations, provided critical aid to affected earthquake victims, and lent critical support to local Venezuelan authorities operating in the hard-hit disaster zone.

    The Dominican relief contingent was a coordinated interagency team, drawing skilled personnel from the country’s Armed Forces, the national Emergency Operations Center (known locally as COE), the Civil Defense agency, and CEMED, the Ministry of Defense’s elite Specialized Emergency and Disaster Mitigation Corps that specializes in complex search-and-rescue deployments.

    A statement from the Dominican government highlighted that Operation Quisqueya Solidaria 2026 served as a tangible demonstration of the country’s long-standing commitment to global humanitarian cooperation. The mission showcased the nation’s ability to rapidly deploy trained personnel, specialized rescue equipment, and comprehensive logistical support to neighboring countries facing crisis, the statement added.

    For more coverage of local news from the Dominican Republic, visit DominicanScope.

  • Dominican Republic reinforces fruit fly controls to maintain mango exports

    Dominican Republic reinforces fruit fly controls to maintain mango exports

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Ministry of Agriculture has launched a suite of updated phytosanitary protocols designed to solidify the country’s position as a reliable mango exporter to the United States and the European Union, with a core focus on bolstering fruit fly surveillance and aligning with global food safety standards. The new regulatory framework comes in direct response to gaps identified by international agricultural health authorities last year, and is aimed at preserving critical market access for one of the country’s most high-value agricultural export commodities.

    Under the new measures, the ministry has appointed agricultural engineer Jeurys Arias to head the national fruit fly monitoring initiative. A key immediate priority for the new program is a full systematic inspection of all 2,089 detection traps deployed across Peravia province, the Dominican Republic’s export mango heartland that accounts for roughly 80% of the nation’s total mango output destined for international markets. Beyond inspections, the initiative also includes upgrades to surveillance infrastructure, georeferencing tracking capabilities, and centralized data management systems to improve transparency and traceability across the pre-export inspection process.

    Agriculture Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat confirmed that the reinstatement of stricter phytosanitary controls follows recommendations issued in 2023 by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which flagged procedural weaknesses in the country’s pre-export inspection protocols. By addressing these gaps, the Dominican government aims to ensure uninterrupted tariff and market access for Dominican mangoes entering the $2 billion U.S. fresh mango market.

    Emidio Gómez, director of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Health and Food Safety division, provided an update on the current harvest season, noting that between 85% and 90% of the country’s yellow-skinned mango crop had already been shipped to the United States before the new measures were implemented, leaving just 10% of the total harvest still pending export. For European markets, Gómez added that exports of green- and red-skinned mango varieties, which launched in early May, are proceeding on their scheduled timeline. He also emphasized that the Dominican Republic remains officially free of the Mediterranean fruit fly (*Ceratitis capitata*), a key pest that would threaten export access if detected.

    To support small and large scale mango producers through the transition, the Ministry of Agriculture has pledged ongoing technical assistance and training to help operations adapt to the new protocols. This support is designed to help maintain the Dominican Republic’s price and quality competitiveness in global fresh fruit markets, where demand for Caribbean mangoes continues to grow year over year.

  • Energy Ministry: Larimar exports won’t reduce supply for Dominican artisans

    Energy Ministry: Larimar exports won’t reduce supply for Dominican artisans

    In a public statement released Sunday, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Energy and Mines moved to clear up widespread misconceptions surrounding raw larimar exports, emphasizing that shipments of the rare blue gemstone do not come at the expense of local Dominican artisans who rely on the material for their work.

    According to ministry officials, current production data shows 60 percent of all larimar extracted from the country’s Barahona region mines remains within Dominican borders, leaving only 40 percent of total output designated for international export. The exported share is explicitly surplus material that the local jewelry manufacturing sector does not need, with the highest quality first- and second-grade larimar — stones celebrated for their vivid, intense blue hue and premium market value — reserved exclusively for domestic artisans and independent jewelry workshops.

    Officials also addressed a common point of confusion in national trade data: most export aggregated statistics group raw, semi-processed, and fully finished larimar products under a single tariff heading. This means a large portion of the reported total export value actually comes from high-value finished larimar jewelry, not unprocessed raw stone, countering claims that the country is exporting most of its most valuable raw material.

    To further strengthen the entire larimar value chain and connect key domestic stakeholders, the ministry has announced a new initiative: the 2026 Larimar Miners-Artisans Direct Sales Fair, scheduled to take place August 21 at the Larimar Museum Workshop School in Bahoruco, Barahona. The core goal of the event is to cut out unnecessary intermediaries by linking larimar miners directly to the artisans who use the stone, creating more equitable revenue distribution and supporting growth for small businesses across the sector.

    In the statement, the ministry warned that imposing arbitrary restrictions on surplus larimar exports would carry severe economic consequences for local mining communities. Such a policy would cut off primary income for small-scale miners, undermine the long-term financial stability of local mining cooperatives, and put hundreds of working positions at risk across the region. Alongside addressing export policy, officials also highlighted ongoing improvements to the larimar mining sector, including upgrades to mine safety regulations and formalization efforts. Recent upgrades include enhanced ventilation systems, improved electrical infrastructure, and overall safer working conditions for mining employees.

    New production data from the Dominican Directorate of Mining Promotion confirms that total larimar output reached 188,696 pounds across the first half of 2026, solidifying the country’s position as the only commercial source of the unique gemstone in the global market.

  • Casa del Cordón welcomes 150 archaeology and history experts from 25 countries

    Casa del Cordón welcomes 150 archaeology and history experts from 25 countries

    The Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo has become the global hub for Caribbean heritage research this week, as the XXXI International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology kicked off with an official welcome reception hosted by the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón. Backed as an initiative by Banco Popular Dominicano, the venue brings together over 150 leading professionals spanning archaeology, anthropology, history, and cultural preservation, with attendees traveling from 25 countries across the globe to take part in the event.

    As a key co-sponsor of the week-long academic gathering, Banco Popular welcomed participating researchers ahead of the launch of the congress’s packed schedule of lectures, working sessions, and collaborative workshops. During the opening welcome ceremony, José Mármol, executive vice president of Corporate Communications, Reputation and Responsible Banking at Grupo Popular, highlighted the critical role that cultural and archaeological preservation plays in driving long-term, meaningful sustainable development for communities across the region. Mármol emphasized that anchoring development in a clear understanding of shared heritage creates stronger, more connected societies rooted in their own history.

    The venue for the opening reception, the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón, holds deep significance for the event’s mission. The center hosts a permanent public exhibition of archaeological artifacts sourced from the García Arévalo Foundation, curated to highlight the rich legacy of the Taíno people – the first known inhabitants of the island that now holds the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Beyond displaying historic objects, the center works year-round to expand public awareness of the Dominican Republic’s indigenous roots and the enduring impact of Taíno culture on modern national identity.

    Scheduled to run from July 13 to 18, the congress stands as one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious and long-standing academic forums dedicated to archaeological research. Beyond sharing new findings and cutting-edge analysis, the core goals of the 2024 gathering include strengthening cross-border collaborative research networks, facilitating open exchange of innovative methodologies, and advancing collective action to protect the Caribbean’s at-risk archaeological and cultural heritage for future generations.

  • Dominican Republic to continue chairing Central American women’s council

    Dominican Republic to continue chairing Central American women’s council

    At the 64th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Women of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMMCA), held recently, member states have formally voted to confirm Gloria Reyes, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, as the body’s pro tempore president for the second half of 2026, spanning July through December.

    The unanimous endorsement of Dominican leadership under Reyes came as no surprise to regional observers, following tangible progress delivered during her previous tenure. Delegations highlighted three key areas of achievement: strengthened cross-border coordination between member states, expanded strategic partnerships with regional and international stakeholders, and growing collective influence to push forward progressive policies that benefit women, girls, and adolescent populations across Central America and the Caribbean.

    Before the confirmation vote, the Dominican delegation presented a full progress report on its work plan for the first six months of 2026. The report outlined major milestones in three core priorities: strengthening COMMCA’s institutional framework to operate more efficiently, advancing targeted advocacy for gender-focused policy reforms at the regional level, and deepening collaborative projects with neighboring member states.

    Beyond leadership appointments, the three-day meeting produced a series of actionable agreements that will shape the council’s work for the coming years. One of the most significant outcomes was the formal approval of a new strategic policy framework designed to reinforce COMMCA’s role within the Central American Integration System (SICA). The framework sets out clear priorities across eight critical issue areas: gender equality and equity, migrant rights, climate justice, the formalization of the care economy, gender-based security, access to digital technology, and inclusive education.

    Member states also signed off on a structured monitoring roadmap to track the implementation of SICA’s existing Regional Gender Equality and Equity Policy, which covers the 2024–2026 period. The roadmap includes regular progress reviews and policy updates, alongside early planning work for the next three-year policy cycle running from 2027 to 2029.

    In another key agenda item, ministers reviewed ongoing progress for the “Safe Mobility: Regional Protocol for Migrant Women” initiative, a project supported by funding from the Korea-SICA Cooperation Fund. The initiative works to establish standardized cross-border protections and targeted support services for migrant women moving through the region, addressing unique vulnerabilities they face during transit and resettlement.

    The LXIV Ordinary Meeting brought together official delegations from all seven COMMCA member states: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. The gathering concluded with a joint commitment from all participants to continue deepening regional cooperation, remove barriers to gender equity, and advance shared initiatives that uplift women across the Central American region.