Carib Scope

标签： Dominican Republic

多米尼加共和国

  • More taxes What the new ISC indexation means for consumers and businesses

    More taxes What the new ISC indexation means for consumers and businesses

    The General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) has formally announced a scheduled update to the specific Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) rates levied on alcoholic beverages, beer, cigarettes and a range of other regulated products, with the new tax framework set to enter into force on July 1, 2026, and remain active through September 30 of that year.

    Outlined in official Resolution No. DDG-ARI-2026-00004, the revised ISC for a broad category of alcoholic products including malt beer, still and sparkling wines, aromatized wine-based drinks like vermouth, fermented fruit ciders, and all distilled spirits has been set at 764.29 Dominican pesos (RD$) per standard tariff unit. This adjustment aligns strictly with the tax adjustment guidelines laid out in Article 375 of the Dominican Tax Code, confirming the change adheres to existing legal frameworks.

    For tobacco products, the tax authority has set differentiated specific rates based on pack size. A standard 20-unit pack of cigarettes, whether produced from dark (black) or light (blond) tobacco, will carry an ISC of RD$64.65, while smaller 10-unit packs will be taxed at half that rate, RD$32.33. The uniform rate across both tobacco varieties eliminates any classification-based discrepancies in tax liability for manufacturers and importers.

    In a statement accompanying the resolution, DGII officials elaborated on the dual objectives behind the scheduled tax update. First, the adjustment is designed to maintain consistent tax pressure on product categories long classified as harmful to public health, a policy lever that discourages excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Second, the updated rates will boost cumulative state tax revenue, supporting broader government fiscal efforts to maintain long-term fiscal sustainability for the country.

  • Puerto Plata, world epicenter of cruises with the Pamac Cruise Summit

    Puerto Plata, world epicenter of cruises with the Pamac Cruise Summit

    The Dominican Republic’s northern coastal province of Puerto Plata has secured the right to host the 2026 Pamac Cruise Summit, one of the most influential annual gatherings for the worldwide cruise sector, organized by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Scheduled to run from June 22 to 26, 2026, the summit is set to draw a high-profile crowd including C-suite executives from leading global cruise lines, destination management representatives from across the Americas, infrastructure investors, and other key strategic stakeholders across the cruise value chain.

    For more than 10 years, the Pamac Cruise Summit has held the status of the flagship annual conference for FCCA Platinum members. Over that time, it has evolved into a vital industry platform that facilitates knowledge sharing, partnership building, and collaborative growth between major cruise operators and coastal and island destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America. It is widely regarded as a key space for aligning industry priorities, addressing common challenges, and unlocking new opportunities for regional tourism development.

    Puerto Plata’s selection as the 2026 host comes on the back of its already strong performance as a leading cruise destination in the Dominican Republic. Official data from May of this year shows that the province’s two major cruise ports handled 86% of all cruise passenger arrivals to the entire country. Of that total, Amber Cove accounted for 49% of the national volume, welcoming 18,802 passengers, while Taino Bay took a 37% share with 51,233 cruise visitors docking at its terminal.

    Regional Tourism Director Carlos Atahualpa Paulino emphasized that the FCCA’s decision to award the summit to Puerto Plata is far more than just an event win: it represents a major vote of confidence in both the province and the Dominican Republic as a whole. “This selection will put our destination front and center in the conversations of the entire international cruise industry,” Paulino noted. He also credited the successful bid to the targeted efforts led by Dominican Minister of Tourism David Collado, as well as the long-standing cooperation agreement between the Dominican national government, led by President Luis Abinader, and the FCCA.

    Local and national tourism authorities project that the 2026 summit will deliver a substantial, multi-sector economic boost to Puerto Plata long before the first attendees arrive. The event is expected to drive significant increases in hotel occupancy throughout the hosting period, while also injecting new revenue into local transportation providers, family-owned restaurants and gastronomy businesses, retail outlets, and other auxiliary tourism services that rely on visitor spending.

    Beyond immediate economic gains, industry leaders and government officials believe the summit will create long-term value for the Dominican Republic. It is expected to amplify the destination’s global brand exposure, draw new foreign and domestic investment into cruise infrastructure and tourism services, and cement the position of both Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic as leading, reliable benchmarks for cruise and leisure tourism across the entire Caribbean region.

  • The La Romana Golf Tournament paid tribute to Deyanira Pappaterra of Banreservas

    The La Romana Golf Tournament paid tribute to Deyanira Pappaterra of Banreservas

    The Dominican Republic’s top hospitality industry gathering for golf, the 13th edition of the La Romana Golf Tournament, recently wrapped up at one of the Caribbean’s most acclaimed golf venues, bringing together industry leaders, amateur athletes, and tourism stakeholders for a day of competition and recognition.

    Organized by the La Romana Bayahibe Hotel Association (AHRB), this annual tournament has grown into a beloved tradition that connects the region’s booming tourism sector with the global golf community. This year’s event carried special meaning, as organizers used the occasion to pay tribute to Deyanira Pappaterra, Vice President of Tourism Business at Banreservas, for her decades-long career and transformative contributions to strengthening the Dominican Republic’s position as a top global travel destination.

    In opening remarks at the tournament, AHRB president Andrés Fernández emphasized the outsized impact Pappaterra has had on the Dominican tourism industry. Speaking to attendees gathered at the course, Fernández noted that the 2026 recognition honors a professional whose work has been pivotal at a defining moment for the sector. “She turns ambitious visions into viable projects, and those viable projects into tangible development that benefits communities across our country,” Fernández said. “Today, we are proud to recognize Deyanira Pappaterra for all that she has done.”

    The competitive rounds of the tournament unfolded on the prestigious Links course at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a world-famous property that has hosted international golf competitions for decades. Organizers structured the event as a pairs-based Scramble format, a popular format that encourages collaboration and accessibility for amateur players of varying skill levels.

    After a full day of competitive play, Rafael Berrido and Óscar Rodríguez claimed the top honor for Best Gross Score across all participants. In division play, Carlos Medrano and Harold Cuellar took first place in Category A, while Silvio del Rosario and Duilio Gustavo Gimondo secured the top spot in Category B. For the women’s division, Josefina Pichardo and Elizabeth Pérez earned the championship title.

    The 13th edition of the tournament would not have been possible without broad cross-sector support from leading tourism, finance, and infrastructure organizations across the Dominican Republic. Along with AHRB, the Dominican Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) served as co-organizer of the event. Other major supporting partners included Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Air Europa, Arajet, Banreservas, Central Romana Corporation, Consorcio Eléctrico Punta Cana Macao, Golf Dominicano, Dominican Golfers, and a wide range of top regional hotel properties including Catalonia Bayahibe & Royal La Romana, Dreams Dominicus La Romana, Dreams & Secrets La Romana, HM Alma de Bayahibe, Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus, Sunscape Dominicus La Romana, Viva Resorts by Wyndham, Hilton Garden Inn La Romana, Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa, and Meliá Hotels International.

  • Sweltering heat will continue to affect the country this Saturday

    Sweltering heat will continue to affect the country this Saturday

    SANTO DOMINGO — The Dominican Institute of Meteorology has released an updated weekend weather forecast warning residents that sweltering, Saharan dust-fueled heat will persist across most of the Dominican Republic through Saturday, before an approaching tropical wave brings scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms starting Sunday.

    The combination of a persistent high-pressure system and incoming Saharan dust has locked in low atmospheric moisture across the vast majority of the country, conditions that will keep conditions mostly dry and partly cloudy through Saturday with barely any measurable rainfall. While most regions will stay dry, a small number of isolated morning showers are still expected to impact eastern coastal communities in the provinces of La Altagracia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, and El Seibo.

    By Saturday afternoon, convective activity is forecast to shift to the country’s western and northwestern border regions, with scattered showers and occasional isolated thunderstorms possible across San Juan, Santiago Rodríguez, Elías Piña, and Dajabón. Meteorological officials emphasized that temperatures will remain unusually high this weekend, driven both by the seasonal timing of mid-year and the insulating effect of airborne Saharan dust, which traps heat near the surface. To help residents cope with the dangerous heat, authorities have issued public health guidance: locals are urged to maintain steady hydration, wear loose, light-colored clothing that reflects sunlight, and avoid any extended time spent outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet radiation and heat intensity peak.

    For the Greater Santo Domingo metropolitan area — which includes the National District, and the northern, eastern, and western municipalities of Santo Domingo province — Saturday will bring consistent scattered cloud cover with no widespread rain. Overnight low temperatures will settle between 23°C and 25°C, while daytime highs will climb to between 31°C and 33°C.

    The pattern is set to shift sharply starting Sunday, when a tropical wave moving into the region will introduce rising moisture and increased atmospheric instability. By midday Sunday, the wave will drive a sharp increase in cloud cover across affected areas, bringing scattered showers, isolated thunderstorms, and occasional gusty winds. The heaviest precipitation on Sunday is expected to be concentrated in 10 provinces: La Altagracia, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, Monte Plata, Barahona, and the entire Greater Santo Domingo metropolitan region. For the national capital and its surrounding suburbs, cloud cover will build throughout Sunday afternoon and evening, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms forecast through the end of the day.

  • Collado’s titanic effort to maintain the cruise boom

    Collado’s titanic effort to maintain the cruise boom

    The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, long the nation’s economic cornerstone, has avoided a potentially damaging decline in cruise arrivals after proactive intervention from Tourism Minister David Collado, who moved swiftly to reverse operational cuts from major global cruise lines.

    Collado has made it clear from the start of his administration that his team’s priority is delivering tangible, on-the-ground projects that drive long-term, stable growth for the country’s $10 billion-plus tourism industry. Beyond infrastructure upgrades that include new public park development, beachside problem resolution, and critical seawall restoration, the ministry is focused on protecting visitor volumes to key destinations such as Puerto Plata, which is on track to welcome more than 2.6 million cruise passengers this year alone.

    When data from the peak travel months of May, June, and July raised red flags for the cruise segment—one of the highest contributors to tourism revenue in the Dominican Republic—Collado moved quickly to address the slowdown rather than waiting for the decline to deepen. “We were elected to govern, not just observe,” he noted, emphasizing that proactive problem-solving is a core responsibility of public leadership in the sector. “I cannot allow tourism to decline or for a false perception to arise that the sector is shrinking. A public administrator must prevent and act before problems occur.”

    Collado recently held direct, high-level talks with C-suite executives from three of the world’s largest cruise operators: MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line. During those discussions, he flagged an alarming roughly 30% drop in scheduled operations at Dominican ports from some lines. Further analysis revealed a key driver of the shift: the opening of new port infrastructure in the Bahamas, which had siphoned off multiple itineraries originally planned for the Dominican Republic.

    Recognizing that tourism is the Dominican Republic’s most valuable economic asset, Collado’s team prioritized immediate negotiation to reverse the losses. In a rare win for the country—given that cruise itineraries are typically locked in up to two years in advance—Royal Caribbean agreed to adjust its scheduled routes to add 48,000 additional passenger arrivals to the Dominican Republic. Of that total, nearly 18,000 extra visitors will arrive in a month that was originally projected to post negative growth for cruise tourism.

    Collado has since publicly thanked Royal Caribbean for the adjustment via his social media channels, choosing to withhold granular details of the negotiations to preserve the collaborative, trust-based relationships his ministry has built with all private sector cruise partners.

    Looking ahead, the minister attributes emerging positive results in the Dominican tourism sector to consistent, coordinated planning between the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) and private industry stakeholders, a partnership that works continuously to strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a top Caribbean destination.

    “Good news doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of taking action, working hard, seeking consensus, and overcoming obstacles every day so that Dominican tourism continues to grow,” Collado said.

  • Asonahores highlights potential for shopping tourism in Santo Domingo

    Asonahores highlights potential for shopping tourism in Santo Domingo

    SANTO DOMINGO – As the Dominican capital continues to see a surge in ongoing tourism-related development projects, a top industry executive is laying out a strategic roadmap to turn Santo Domingo into a leading regional destination for shopping tourism. Aguie Lendor, vice president of the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), shared his vision in a recent statement, noting that the city has already built a solid foundation to compete in the fast-growing shopping tourism segment, but targeted policy advances and infrastructure upgrades are still needed to unlock its full potential.

    One of the most critical priorities on Lendor’s agenda is the formal adoption of tax-free shopping policies for international tourists. He emphasized that gaining official approval from Dominican regulatory bodies is non-negotiable to make this visitor-friendly strategy viable. If implemented, Lendor argued, the tax-free framework would act as a powerful magnet for cross-border travelers, boosting retail spending and accelerating the city’s rise as a central shopping hub for the Caribbean and Latin American region.

    Beyond the shopping tourism push, Lendor also offered praise for the current administration’s progress in expanding the country’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism sector. He specifically commended President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado for their sustained efforts to grow this high-value tourism segment, pointing to the nearly completed Santo Domingo Convention Center as a transformative infrastructure milestone.

    While the convention center project is approaching final completion, Lendor stressed that maintaining strict quality and safety standards throughout the remaining construction work is essential. Even if finishing touches take additional time, he said, adhering to top-tier global standards will ensure the venue delivers long-term success and allows the Dominican Republic to compete effectively for major international events in the global MICE market.

  • Viva Hotel in Bayahibe engulfed in flames as firefighters battle blaze

    Viva Hotel in Bayahibe engulfed in flames as firefighters battle blaze

    A major uncontrolled fire has broken out at the Viva Hotel, located in the popular coastal tourist destination of Bayahibe in the Dominican Republic’s La Romana province, triggering an urgent large-scale response from local emergency services. Multiple fire crews from across La Romana province have been deployed rapidly to the scene, where firefighters are working around the clock to bring the destructive blaze under control.

    Early reports from the area confirm that dense plumes of dark smoke are billowing from the multi-building hotel complex, and user-generated footage and photos capturing the extent of the fire have spread quickly across various social media platforms, drawing widespread public attention to the incident.

    As of the latest update, local authorities have not released any confirmed information about what sparked the fire, and official investigations into the origin and cause of the emergency are still in their early stages. Crucially, there have been no official announcements of injuries, fatalities or missing persons connected to the blaze to date.

    Emergency response teams remain positioned on site, focusing both on fully extinguishing existing hotspots and stopping the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings and other properties within the larger resort area that hosts the hotel. This is an actively developing situation, and local officials have indicated that additional updates, including more details on the cause, impact and any potential casualties, will be released as emergency operations and investigative work progress.

  • U.S. Embassy and PUCMM examine impact of American independence on the Caribbean

    U.S. Embassy and PUCMM examine impact of American independence on the Caribbean

    A collaborative keynote conference hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) has convened a diverse cross-sector audience of academics, researchers, university students, and public policy specialists to explore the far-reaching legacy of U.S. independence across the Hispanic Caribbean region.

    Leading the core discussion at the event was historian Javier Alemán Iglesias, who delivered a comprehensive breakdown of the multifaceted political, economic, and social transformations that U.S. independence set in motion for Caribbean societies. He also examined how these historical shifts have shaped the long-standing bilateral dynamics between the United States and nations across the Hispanic Caribbean. Alemán Iglesias’ address was framed as a central activity of the Freedom 250 initiative, a multi-event project created to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The initiative is designed to spark inclusive public dialogue around core principles including freedom, national self-determination, democratic governance, and grassroots civic engagement.

    After the conclusion of Alemán Iglesias’ keynote address, the historian joined a follow-up panel discussion alongside two leading Dominican scholars: sociologist Fernando Ferrán and political scientist Flavio Darío Espinal. The panel centered on unpacking the enduring economic, social, and political ripple effects of historical independence movements across the Caribbean basin and the broader Americas, drawing connections between 18th and 19th century shifts and modern regional dynamics.

    This conference marks the centerpiece of Alemán Iglesias’ three-day visit to the Dominican Republic, held from June 16 to 18, which is sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s official American Lecturers Program. Beyond the main public conference, Alemán Iglesias participated in a full schedule of closed-door workshops, smaller targeted lectures, and collaborative working meetings with local academics and researchers. All activities during the visit are aligned with broader goals of expanding bilateral educational exchange, strengthening academic ties between the two nations, and encouraging more nuanced, in-depth analysis of the deep historical connections linking the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

  • Government says JCE registers 90% of hospital births nationwide

    Government says JCE registers 90% of hospital births nationwide

    In a remarkable policy win for inclusive governance and children’s rights, the Dominican Republic has boosted its hospital birth registration coverage from just 61% in 2018 to over 90% as of 2025, the national Cabinet for Children and Adolescents (GANA) has announced. The milestone was formally marked this week during a ceremony renewing a cross-agency cooperation framework focused on eliminating birth under-registration across the country, extending the joint initiative for an additional four years through 2030.

    The sweeping progress recorded over the past seven years stems from a series of targeted interventions rolled out by participating state institutions. National outreach and awareness campaigns have reached more than 700,000 expectant women across the country, educating them on the importance of timely birth registration for their children’s access to future services. In addition, authorities launched the specialized “Express Route” program, designed to streamline processes for people facing barriers to obtaining required supporting documentation. Most notably, permanent Civil Registry offices have now been established in every maternal and child health facility nationwide, bringing registration services directly to the point of birth.

    The renewed cooperation agreement unites 18 key national stakeholders, including GANA, the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Ministry of the Presidency, and 14 other government and civil society bodies. The overarching goal of the extended partnership remains the same: to achieve universal birth registration within the country’s legal timeframe by ensuring every newborn is documented immediately after birth.

    As part of the new phase of the initiative, authorities will upgrade cross-agency operations through new digital infrastructure. CONANI has led development of the innovative Registry System for Children and Adolescents (SIRENNA), a centralized digital platform that will enable secure real-time information sharing across all entities part of the national child protection system. The new tool is expected to drastically improve interinstitutional coordination and streamline public access to identity-related services.

    In a key governance adjustment included in the renewed agreement, overall coordination of the initiative’s interinstitutional monitoring committee will be transferred to the JCE. The shift formally recognizes the JCE’s constitutional mandate as the state authority responsible for overseeing civil registry operations and all official identity documentation.

    Speaking at the official signing ceremony, Dominican First Lady Raquel Arbaje underscored the life-altering impact of the work, stressing that no child should be discharged from a hospital without an official birth certificate. Arbaje noted that access to education, healthcare and nearly all other fundamental rights enshrined in national law depend entirely on holding formal legal identity documentation.

    National officials emphasized that the extended cross-agency partnership will strengthen and embed a long-term public policy focused on upholding the fundamental right of every Dominican child to a legal identity. Once fully implemented, the initiative will ensure all children in the country can fully access the protections, social services and life opportunities guaranteed under Dominican law.

  • Marileidy Paulino wins Doha Diamond League opener

    Marileidy Paulino wins Doha Diamond League opener

    The 2026 Diamond League circuit kicked off in Doha, Qatar, and Dominican sprint star Marileidy Paulino sent a clear warning to her rivals with a dominant victory in the women’s 400-meter event at the Qatar Sports Club meeting. The Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist, making her first international competitive appearance of the year, crossed the finish line in a new season-best time of 48.91 seconds, more than a full second ahead of her closest challenger.

    From the opening gunshot to the final stretch, Paulino controlled the pace of the race, never ceding the lead to any of her competitors. The result not only secured her the top spot on the Doha podium but also cemented her status as one of the most formidable elite 400-meter runners in global track and field. Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka claimed the runner-up position with a time of 50.10 seconds, while Cuban sprinter Roxana Gómez rounded out the top three in 50.23 seconds.

    This win marks another key milestone in Paulino’s already decorated career, which has elevated her to become one of the most recognizable names in international athletics. Entering the opening race of the Diamond League season with the explicit goal of posting a leading competitive time, she delivered on her target with a commanding performance that set the tone for her 2026 campaign.

    Beyond the Diamond League, the Doha victory also serves as a critical preparation step for Paulino ahead of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled to be hosted in her home region of Santo Domingo from July 24 to August 8. Paulino is already pegged as the leader of the Dominican national delegation for the women’s 400-meter event, a competition where she claimed gold at the previous edition of the Games held in San Salvador. Her strong opening to the season has already built widespread anticipation for her performance at the upcoming home Games.