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Marina at Samana. More coming.
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Santo Domingo.- The Web site EpochTimes reports that Dominican Republic's Tourism Minister, Felix Jiménez, hosted an luncheon on the 51st floor of Toronto's Manulife Center recently to announce US$1 billion in tourism infrastructure investment.

It said the Dominican Republic government will use the money to build better roads, a new cruise ship marina, high-speed ferry service between Punta Cana and Samana and more luxury hotel rooms, from now until 2012. Highway upgrades between Punta Cana to Santo Domingo will allow visitors to travel between the two cities in one third the travel time.

The country has already welcomed over 1.3 million visitors this year, 400,000 from Canada alone said Jimenez, EpochTImes said.

"We are very pleased with this impressive growth in tourism, and the new developments being planned will only improve our products as we continue to welcome record numbers of visitors from around the world," he said.

The Dominican Republic was recently named the number one Caribbean destination for international visitors by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. In 2006 tourism is credited with fueling the countries impressive economic development that saw the GDP grow by double digits.

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11 comment(s)
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Written by: MrDom, 19 Jun 2008 4:33 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, DN
is that marina really in Samana? I have never seen it or heard about it...
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Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 19 Jun 2008 5:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I was just there...me thinks the pic is a fig newton of someone's immagination!
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Written by: gouletcolonial, 19 Jun 2008 5:41 PM
From: United States, California, San Francisco, Treasure Island
Yes dom it is coming to Samana ..... Banyan Tree resort with a classy marina to boot among others
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Written by: carbelk99 This user is banned, 19 Jun 2008 10:29 PM
From: United States
MRDom aka MrHaitian living in Dominican Rep. and bashing any positive Dominican news,You should have stayed in Ayiti eating dirt cookies.......man call yourself what you are,or are you ashamed to be a Haitian and Why?.
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Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 20 Jun 2008 9:16 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Carbelk....why attack a valid question? The picture is an artists concept...not yet reality. Sure....they are marketing the concept at present, but it is not yet reality, thus making the photo at this time...a concept.

I really do not understand the constant bickering between Dominicans and Haitian posters here. Both make very valid points at times...and at other times simply set each other up for an arguement.

Based on the vocalbulary used by most posters...we are not discussing issues with brain dead dingbats, but well educated and responsible people.
This constant degrading of Haitian posters makes me think that we have a serious racist attitude here. I guess since I am Canadian and live in this country, I too should be verbally spat on for having an opinion on how this country is. Obviously, when left solely to the citizens of this country, very little moves forward.


continued



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Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 20 Jun 2008 9:24 AM
From: Dominican Republic
It is Haitian labour that builds literally everything that stands. It is foriegn investment that finances literally all of the development. Most Dominicans benefit from this personal and financial investment in the country.

It is sad to see that racism is alive and well on this forum and it is my hope that given the small number of posters who frequent the board, that it is does not represent the views of the everyday Dominican.

I as a Canadian, have had a pretty easy life relative to what many Dominicans and Haitians have had to deal with. yet oddly enough...I respect people for who they are...NOT WHERE THEY CAME FROM. Why is it that some of you choose to paint all with the same brush? Is it insecurity? Does it make you feel superior? Does it make you feel intelligent?

Sadly...it only makes you look like a dying breed from a foregone era who feared everyone outside your circle of life.
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Written by: Anonymous, 20 Jun 2008 9:48 AM
From: United States
PuntaCanaMike, I must agree with you. As an observer of this forum, i try not to comment on too many things when it comes to haitians and dominicans. I think what is happening is due to closeminded people who feel a sense of superiority. I personally think both people on each side of the island are good people. Yet, sometimes i feel some dominicans get out of hand lashing out on haitians or fellow dominicans who don't agree with them. Personally, my observations in the states makes me believe that this isn't necessarily a universal thing. I know plenty of dominicans who are not as ignorant as the ones i encounter on this forum. As for lesson learned on this forum, it shows to me that dominicans who's island is made up of more than 80% people with african ancestry have identity issues at times. Not to mention, i think the haitian constitution or government should change and allow some bright people to help the country. I see lots of smart haitians who would love to help Haiti.
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Written by: Anonymous, 20 Jun 2008 9:56 AM
From: United States
I think the best thing to be done is for the haitians to help create a construction boom in Haiti. Create the own marinas. Allow a great leader who can reduce corruption and allow a construction boom in Port au Prince, Jacmel, Cap Haitiene, and other haitian cities. Not to mention create infrastructure. As for now, I sit in the back observing dominicans and haitians duke it out. At the end of the day, both countries need to settle their differences and work to benefit each other. The island is too small for all of this nonsense. Taino, europeans, and Africans are found on both side of the island. Contrary to popular belief, not all haitians are "african" looking as a dominican told me. Maybe one side had more europeans, so what. Let's try to make each independent country and better place for its inhabitants.
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Written by: gouletcolonial, 20 Jun 2008 10:01 AM
From: United States, California, San Francisco, Treasure Island
Mike many of the remarks posted on this site are offensive when it comes to Haitian /Dominican relations.....Please do not chalk it all up to racism....the disputes are complex and involve Sovereignty issues and Culture and Language....just like Chinese/Japonese and Serbia/Croatia and Israeli/Arab....For outsiders to criticize from a one dimensional point of view is not fair...We as outsiders should do everything we can to help alleviate this ugly dispute ....try to walk a mile in their shoes
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Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 20 Jun 2008 10:14 AM
From: Dominican Republic
I agree Goulet, it is a complex issue that is deep in history.

But what we seem to get here are extremists who refuse to acknowledge pertinent points made by each other. Dialog is about working together to solve an issue...to improve a product...to improve a society.

Most here is niether dialog or discussion...it seems to be nothing more than a grade school rant.

At times it all gets a little long winded and at times quite humourous....but productive???? No.
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Written by: gouletcolonial, 20 Jun 2008 10:17 AM
From: United States, California, San Francisco, Treasure Island
every now and then someone with a candle shines a little light on the subject....its outsiders throwing gasoline that I resent
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