They may share the same island but the Dominican Republic wants visitors to know they are not Haiti.
Says the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism in a press release:
“(The DR) assures visitors that all of its cities, tourism and resort areas are conducting normal business operations.”
The release adds that 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 Dominican 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 Samaná and Puerto Plata along the North Coast are welcoming winter season tourists from all over the world,” the government says.
The southern region of the DR has been a stable staging area for the Haiti relief effort and a reliable alternative route into Haiti.
The DR shares the western 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.
By David Wilkening
