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The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism Reassures Visitors Punta Cana, La Romana, Samana, Puerto Plata and Other Cities are Receiving Tourists

The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism assures visitors that all of its cities, tourism and resort areas are conducting normal business operations. Also, the DR government, consulates and embassies are working diligently with the international community on Haiti earthquake relief. Millions of Dominicans have donated time, money, supplies and expertise to help Haiti in these critical hours of need.

All of the tourist areas, hotels, resorts, airports and seaports are open and receiving visitors. The DR experienced no damage from the quake or its aftershocks. Major tourism regions Punta Cana and La Romana on the East Coast, as well as Samana and Puerto Plata along the North Coast are welcoming winter season tourists from all over the world.

The southern region of the DR has been a stable staging area for the Haiti relief effort and a reliable alternative route into Haiti. Three key airports and a roadway in the DR's southern region are being used to receive international relief supplies through mostly rural areas of the DR not frequented by visitors. The DR government has stationed military, police and immigration officials along the DR border reinforcing relief efforts to help Haiti. The DR has strong border control permitting only crossings for humanitarian reasons, while also sending critical supplies, equipment, medical experts and millions of dollars for food and relief kitchens directly to Port-au-Prince.

The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti's capital, or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.

DR Tourism Update:

1. All of the DR's eight international airports are open and receiving commercial flights. All flights in/out of the DR are running smoothly.
2. All of the DR's cruise terminals, seaports and marinas are open, operating effectively and receiving visitors.
3. All of the DR's beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business operations.
4. The DR is providing some space at strategically located key airports however this is not disrupting commercial flights.
5. The DR did not experience any damage from the secondary aftershock that occurred Thursday morning.
6. The DR has strong border control with military, police, medical and international aid officials helping Haitians.
7. The DR's security, health, communication and transportation systems are all operating normally and effectively.

SOURCE Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Seawings Soars on 2009 Stay-at-Home Holiday Trend

It is estimated that approximately one in three UAE residents will spend their summer holidays in the country in 2009 compared with one in 10 in the previous three years as cheaper deals keep residents at home. As a result, Seawings, the only seaplane tour operator in the Middle East, sees a spike in local interest in their scenic flights of the region.

Local and regional tourism experts are predicting that around 31 percent of UAE residents will choose to spend their summer vacation in the country compared to the 11 percent seen over the last three years. "Our customers are predominantly tourists visiting Dubai, but we are currently seeing a trend in higher domestic bookings." said Stuart Wheeler, CEO of Seawings.

Dubai hotels are offering good prices and various value added packages, which means that local tourism is bound to grow. Offering more value to residents is important, therefore, Seawings has decided to offer a special promotion over the summer months, Seawings customers can benefit from a buy-one-get-one-free flight experience to the East and North Coast Emirates of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah when booking directly with Seawings. The summer promotion will run until the end of September 2009.

Seawings packages are priced from AED 895 per flight and include views of Dubai's most iconic landmarks including Palm Jumeirah, The World Islands, Burj Al Arab, and the historic Dubai Creek.

Information on packages and bookings are available on the website http://www.seawings.ae and can be booked through the Seawings reservation team +971-4-883-2999.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON THE BRANDO

Luxury Eco-Resort Slated to Open in 2011 on Marlon Brando’s Private Island, Tetiaroa

Located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa and a product of the late Marlon Brando’s vision, construction on The Brando has officially begun with completion slated for late 2011. Construction of the luxury eco-resort has commenced with the official authorization from the Tahitian government after several years of studying the impact of construction on the environment. The Brando will feature: 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites.

Construction of The Brando began with the building of a platform on the coral reef to provide logistical access to the island without causing environmental damage. Additionally, the old airstrip is being refurbished and extended to meet the government’s safety standards. 

The exclusive resort will be the only hotel on Tetiaroa, the former playground of Tahitian Kings in French Polynesia’s idyllic islands. Purchased by Brando in 1965, Tetiaroa is a 13-island chain circled by a coral reef offering a tranquil and pure paradise 35 miles from the island of Tahiti. The Brando is a product of Brando’s vision to create a project which will resonate with visitors and also foster opportunities for guests to get to know both the place and the people of French Polynesia. 

The project is being overseen by Tahiti Beachcomber SA, whose CEO, Richard Bailey, owner of several luxury resorts in French Polynesia, was a good friend of Brando’s and had been working with him for many years to fulfill their joint vision to develop an environmentally sustainable resort. Bailey has experience with other sustainable projects in French Polynesia as he owns four InterContinental resorts in the region, utilizing eco-friendly practices. 

Brando had many ideas for how to create an eco-friendly resort, and Bailey is working with the Brando estate to implement these visions. The hotel will operate with a “sea water air conditioning” system (SWAC), which draws on an inexhaustible supply of completely renewable clean energy and has zero impact on the environment. Bailey plans to use a deep-sea pipe to pump cold water from the depths of the ocean, which will then be used to chill the air in the hotel -- the same system he developed and is successfully in place at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. 

Bailey and his company, Tahiti Beachcomber SA, own the four InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, InterContiental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, and InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa. Bailey is also co-founder of the non-profit foundation, Te Mana o Te Moana. Working closely with the Tahitian Ministry of Environment, the organization strives to protect marine life, educating the public on safe environmental activity, and continuously promotes eco-friendly practices throughout the InterContinental properties and local communities. 

Announcing the New LUXE City Guides Hotel & Villa Collection Online Booking Site

For six years, the LUXE City Guides' editorial team have scoured the 31 cities in the LUXE range for the few special properties that readers will love, and now you can browse and book them online at www.luxecityguides.com. Unlike other sites that list everything and the kitchen sink, the LUXE City Guides Hotel & Villa Collection is a highly opinionated, ultra-selective compilation of what LUXE is loving. Value, style and bang for buck.

Many booking sites are paid to list properties, but LUXE only features the hotels reviewed in the guides; no one ever pays to be listed. The LUXE City Guides Hotel & Villa Collection contains over 100 hotel reviews, spanning 31 cities, with more added every week. LUXE always travels to each destination, so you know it's an opinion you can trust and you can, quite literally, rest assured.

Rates are often less than you would get if you went direct to the hotel, and LUXE promises if you find a lower rate for the same room type under the same conditions within 24 hours of booking, LUXE will cancel your reservation at no cost. And that's all you pay. There's no additional booking or membership fee. With best online rates, exclusive offers and deals, and a free LUXE City Guide for every booking you make, LUXE means style for dollar.

So, what else do you get? LUXE Insider drops the skinny on what rooms to book and the fabs and drabs you can expect. Member reviews is where you can swap info and opinions. The gallery contains swarms of hi-res pics so you can really see where you'll be laying your head. The LUXE Special Collections help you choose your own adventure and include everything from Secluded Escapes, to Doggy Friendly hotels, to More Dash than Cash.

As if that weren't enough, the scorching new state-of-the-art LUXE City Guides online store comes with free monthly updates, destination reports, special offers and a grand slam of other cool stuff.