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In this week’s edition of “This week in the Dominican Republic” we learn about a new eco-tourism destination, a RD$2.3 billion budget for education, plans to build a new convention centre in Santo Domingo, and that flights to the US have returned to normal.
San José de las Matas – a new eco-tourism destination
Last Sunday, Dominican President Danilo Medina announced support to develop three tourism projects in the area of San José de las Matas, a beauty spot near to Santiago, to the north of Santo Domingo.
These three projects will be a hydroelectric complex for eco-tours, a hot-springs resort between the towns of Los Montones and Las Placetas, as well as another at the natural springs at the Las Ventanas village.
In addition to creating beautiful new attractions in the area, these plans will also benefit the area by providing new jobs and new income sources.
RD$2.3 billion (US$547.6 million) to be spent on education
Dominican education minister Carlos Amarante, this week announced a plan to spend RD$2.3 billion (that’s US$547.6 million) to train and develop teachers at all levels, throughout the entire country.
Plans are to spend RD$1.4 billion on the continuous training of 20,495 teachers; RD$70 million to certify 3,500 others; RD$100 million to train and certify school principals and RD$642.9 million on a master’s program for 2,837 educators.
These plans represent a significantly increased investment in education, something which has traditionally been much lower.
Plans to build a convention center in Santo Domingo
Dominican minister of tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, yesterday announced that the Dominican Government intends to build a new modern Convention Centre in Santo Domingo, with the aim of creating an additional resource to support the country’s growing tourism industry – which is actually the main source of income in the Dominican economy.
Initial steps include the completion of a feasibility study, expected to be completed within six months, while German company Messe Berlin, who will be heading the project, will also be presenting possible locations.
Last year alone, the Dominican Republic welcomed some 4.6 million tourists, who represented an income of US$5.1 billion. It is hoped that the creation of a new conference centre, will support the continued growth of this important industry.
Flights to the US back to normal
Following the massive snowstorms across the US, AERODOM, the Dominican airport management contractor, has announced that all flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States are back to normal.
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