The development forms part of the cruise line’s broader expansion in the Caribbean and comes as the Dominican Republic continues to strengthen its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, investing in new infrastructure and visitor experiences.

Operated through a partnership between CTL Maritime and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Catalina Sugar Beach will welcome guests travelling with MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys and visitors staying at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.

The opening coincides with MSC Cruises launching year-round operations from La Romana for the first time. Beginning in November, MSC Opera will sail weekly from the Dominican port, with every itinerary including a call at Catalina Sugar Beach.

Blending nature with upgraded facilities

Located within a protected natural monument, Catalina Island is known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs and clear Caribbean waters. According to MSC Cruises, the redevelopment has been designed to enhance the visitor experience while showcasing the island’s natural environment.

The destination will feature a large open-air beach pavilion serving international cuisine alongside Dominican specialities, shaded dining areas overlooking the sea, two bars, upgraded changing and shower facilities, and a water sports centre offering equipment hire.

Guests seeking a more exclusive experience will also be able to rent private cabanas and daybeds.

A newly created walking trail will lead visitors through the island’s vegetation to a panoramic viewpoint, with educational panels highlighting local tree species and the island’s biodiversity.

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New excursions

MSC Cruises is also introducing a range of new shore excursions centred on the island and surrounding region.

Visitors will be able to explore the coastline by catamaran, snorkel among the area’s marine life or take boat trips to nearby Saona Island. Excursions will also include visits to the Cave of Wonders and Altos de Chavón, a Mediterranean-style cultural village overlooking the Chavón River.

The company says the combination of upgraded facilities and nature-based experiences is intended to position Catalina Sugar Beach as a premium Caribbean beach destination.

Dominican Republic strengthens tourism offer

The announcement reflects the Dominican Republic’s continued investment in tourism, one of the country’s main economic pillars.

Speaking to Travel Tomorrow during Dominican Week in Brussels in June, Dominican Ambassador Joan Cedano said the sector would remain one of the pillars of the country’s long-term economic strategy, highlighting continued investment in infrastructure and visitor experiences as the Dominican Republic seeks to further strengthen its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations.

Earlier this year, during the first Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands, government representatives highlighted ambitions to further expand the sector while attracting European investment across tourism, infrastructure, logistics and renewable energy.

The latest investment in Catalina Island aligns with those ambitions by expanding the range of premium experiences available to international visitors beyond the country’s established beach resorts.

With year-round cruise operations from La Romana and the opening of Catalina Sugar Beach, MSC Cruises is also reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s role as a major Caribbean cruise hub.

MSC Opera will offer weekly seven-night cruises from La Romana, while passengers will also have the option of combining two itineraries into a 14-night “butterfly” cruise exploring the Southern Caribbean.

L’article MSC Cruises bets on Dominican Republic with new Catalina Sugar Beach destination est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Organised as part of the first Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands, the forum highlighted the Caribbean nation’s ambitions to deepen trade, attract foreign investment and position itself as a strategic partner for Europe across sectors ranging from agriculture and logistics to tourism, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Opening the event, Ambassador Joan Cedano, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, described the initiative as a strategic effort to “open new doors” for the country in Europe.

“Today more than ever, the Dominican Republic has much to show,” Cedano said, presenting the country as a stable and dynamic economy with a favourable investment climate, strong productive sectors and growing logistics capabilities. He stressed that the government aims to double the country’s GDP by 2036 through the development of sectors including agro-industry, logistics, tourism, technology, innovation and free trade zones. 

Representing Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, Vice Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy Francisco Caraballo placed the event within the broader context of Dominican-European relations.

He emphasised that partnerships between countries are built not only through trade agreements and investment frameworks but also through people, communities and shared histories. Caraballo highlighted the Dominican Republic’s longstanding connections with Belgium and the Netherlands and described the country as “a Caribbean nation open to the world, stable and reliable”. 

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Sustainability, quality and trust

The programme combined presentations from public institutions with discussions focused on trade, exports and investment opportunities.

A keynote presentation by ProDominicana showcased the country’s attractiveness as a destination for investment, tourism and business development. This was followed by a panel exploring the future of Dominican exports to the European Union, bringing together representatives from the banana, cocoa and tobacco sectors.

Speakers underlined the importance of sustainability, traceability and quality standards in maintaining and expanding access to European markets.

Gil Blas Martínez, President of Adobanano, warned that small organic banana producers face increasing certification costs and regulatory burdens. He called for greater support to help producers remain competitive while preserving the social and environmental value of Dominican agriculture. 

María del Pilar Hernández of the DR Cocoa Foundation highlighted efforts to comply with the European Union’s anti-deforestation requirements and presented plans for a geographical indication for Dominican cocoa. The initiative aims to provide European buyers with greater guarantees regarding origin, traceability, quality and flavour profiles.

According to Hernández, virtually all Dominican cocoa exported today already complies with the EU’s anti-deforestation regulation, while the geographical indication would add a new layer of differentiation similar to protected European wine regions. 

The tobacco sector was represented by Moisés Rodríguez, CEO of La Realeza Dominicana Tobacco, who emphasised the role of craftsmanship, family traditions and social inclusion in the country’s globally recognised cigar industry.

“The Dominican cigar is the product of our land, our climate and Dominican labour passed from generation to generation,” Rodríguez said, highlighting the industry’s contribution to employment and regional development. 

Offering a European perspective, Laurent Nys, Director of Brussels’ Mabru wholesale market, said Belgian consumers increasingly seek high-quality exotic products and encouraged Dominican exporters to invest in quality control, storytelling and long-term partnerships.

“Long-term partnership is long-term business,” he noted, adding that Belgium could serve as an important gateway to wider European markets. 

Investment opportunities gain momentum

Investment was another central theme of the afternoon.

A presentation by Andrés Lugo Risk, Executive Director of the General Directorate for Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), highlighted opportunities created through the Dominican Republic’s public-private partnership model.

Meanwhile, discussions between European and Dominican stakeholders focused on the country’s economic growth, investment climate and strategic position as a gateway to the Caribbean.

Representatives from the European Commission and regional investment agencies pointed to opportunities in sectors including transport, water management, logistics, sustainable development and innovation. The EU’s Global Gateway strategy was presented as a mechanism capable of mobilising both public and private investment for projects that create local benefits while supporting broader sustainability goals. 

The Dominican Republic’s attractiveness as an investment destination was also illustrated through business experiences shared during the forum. Speakers highlighted the country’s political stability, growing infrastructure, free trade zones and business-friendly environment, as well as the strong support available to foreign investors.

Tourism ambitions continue to grow

Tourism remained one of the recurring themes throughout the afternoon.

The Dominican Republic welcomed a record number of visitors in 2025 and is now aiming to surpass the milestone of 12 million tourists annually, further consolidating its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations. The sector continues to attract investment in hospitality, real estate, transport and supporting infrastructure while generating employment and economic growth across the country. 

Several speakers noted that the country’s appeal extends well beyond its beaches. Increasing air connectivity, political stability, year-round climate and growing international recognition are helping attract both visitors and investors.

At the same time, participants stressed the importance of ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism growth through sustainable development, environmental stewardship and social initiatives.

Brussels Minister-President joins Dominican Week celebrations

The forum concluded with an evening dedicated to Dominican culture, featuring gastronomy, rum tasting, cigars, music and dance alongside the presentation of recognition awards to European personalities.

Among the guests was Boris Dillies, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, who attended the event as he marks his first 100 days in office. His presence underscored the growing ties between Brussels and the Dominican Republic, while adding a symbolic dimension to the opening edition of Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Throughout the afternoon, speakers returned to a common message: the Dominican Republic is seeking to position itself not only as a tourism destination or an exporter of agricultural products, but as a reliable long-term partner for European businesses and investors.

L’article From cocoa to tourism: Dominican Republic showcases opportunities in Europe est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

On 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica. The Category 5 storm caused extensive damage to the western part of the country, in particular, with 76% of the power grid operational at the end of November and 82% of customers having access to water once again. On the island, 45 people were killed, 16 others are still missing, and 11 people are thought to have died of leptospirosis since.

Although Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett estimates 60% of hotel rooms in Jamaica to be available once again by mid-December, and while cruise ships have started to return, many other hotels remain closed, and the tourism sector in Jamaica, as well as in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Haiti, is struggling to get back to normal as well. Until mid-2026, capacity levels on the islands are likely to remain below usual.

After the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the people of Negril came together cleaning, rebuilding and restoring before sunrise the very next day. Following a tour of the resort area yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, proudly announced that Negril will officially pic.twitter.com/Tvv40PP8CH

— Ministry Of Tourism Jamaica (@tourismja) November 29, 2025

An unusual opportunity

Since the disaster, the Dominican Republic has, however, experienced a surge in tourism. Many of those who had planned to vacation in the Northern Caribbean flocked to the Dominican Republic instead. At the start of what is traditionally the region’s busiest season, the island is thus preparing itself for more, in order to benefit as much as possible from the – albeit tragic – situation.

According to Héctor Porcella, president of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board, 800 additional flights – both regular and charter – were authorised in one fell swoop. He expected tourists initially heading to Jamaica in particular to be headed toward the Dominican Republic instead.

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“This will have a positive impact on hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic, and Dominican hotels have the capacity to receive that influx”, stated Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the country’s Association of Hotels and Tourism.

The 800 additional flights are spread over a period of eight months. According to Santos, an average occupancy rate of over 95% is projected for the holiday season. In October, hotel occupancy rates already rose to 63% compared to 58% in September, statistics from the Dominican Central Bank show. Data for November are not yet available, but the Dominican Republic welcomed over 8 million visitors between January and October 2025.

L’article Following Hurricane Melissa, the Dominican Republic takes on Caribbean tourists est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As of September 15^th, travelers arriving in the Dominican Republic will not need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, a requirement that had been put in place since July. Authorities have decided to fold its testing program at the airport. This will substituted by quick tests on passengers selected at.

The government has also rolled out a travel assistance policy that will cover visitors for incidents related to the coronavirus. This free and temporary health insurance policy aims to insure tourists, who will then have some expenses paid in the event they get infected during their stay on the island.

The policy applies to all visitors as long as they stay at regulated tourist accommodation. The plan will be effective from September 15 until December 31, 2020, but it may be extended.

The Dominican Republic has launched a new Tourism Recovery Plan in the hopes of reviving an injured tourism sector. This recovery plan aims to develop the industry in a more sustainable way. “We are undertaking each of the elements that need to be adjusted and addressed so that the plan continues to progress,” said David Collado, Minister of Tourism. “We want to be prepared for success in both the short and long term.”

L’article Dominican Republic offers travelers free COVID-19 insurance est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.