In the not too distant future, visitors to the Dominican Republic will be able to see for themselves the sunken marvel of one of the most important pirate ships in history. Resting in less than 10 feet of Caribbean seawater, the wreckage of Quedagh Merchant, the ship abandoned by the scandalous 17th century pirate Captain William Kidd as he raced to New York in an ill-fated attempt to clear his name, has escaped discovery -- until now. The wreck has remained undiscovered all these years just 70 feet off the coast of Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic and the find is valuable because of the potential to reveal important information about piracy in the Caribbean and about the legendary Captain Kidd. An underwater archaeology team from Indiana University (IU) announced the discovery of the remnants and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Culture signed a collaborative work agreement with Indiana University, supported by USAID to establish a new National System of Special Protected Areas, with the Captain Kidd Shipwreck being the premiere site, a step that makes the opening of the site to the general public even nearer. For further information on the destination please contact: ESP: esp-bobby@hotmail.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768 901197

Up to now the Dominican Republic has been seen as a destination of all-inclusive hotels served only by charter operators. That image will soon be changing and tourists will have access to the wide range of accommodation available with the introduction of a schedule carrier to the destination. This has prompted non-charter Tour Operators like British Airways Holidays, Caribtours etc to commence featuring the destination. A new British Airways (BA) scheduled twice weekly service from London Gatwick to Punta Cana is due to commence from 26th October 2009 and will fly twice weekly on Monday and Thursday from London Gatwick to Punta Cana. It will be the only UK scheduled carrier to operate a regular service to the Dominican Republic. The introduction of this new scheduled service will open the destination to a whole new range of travellers and tour operators who previously did not feature the destination. The Dominican Republic is in the top 2 of Caribbean destinations visited by UK travellers and the introduction of the new scheduled service should see visitor numbers increasing significantly due to the exceeding good offers at competitive rates and good service the destination offers. Commenting on the introduction of this new service, the Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia said “The Ministry of Tourism’s strategic vision will take the Dominican Republic into the next decade and expand on our amazing tourism success to date by increasing visitor numbers to the country and sharing with them our natural beauty, culture and friendly people. This timely BA service reinforces and supports a key part of the tourism strategy for Dominican Republic which is to increase flights to the Dominican Republic”. Often held up as the prime example of good value Caribbean budget tourism, if you venture beyond the boundaries of all-inclusive you’ll find that the Dominican Republic has much more to offer. The destination has an extraordinary variety of the hottest and newest hotels ranging from luxury resorts (e.g. Tortuga Bay was the first in the Dominican Republic to have been accepted to the exclusive club of the Leading Hotels of the World) to family-friendly hotels to boutique properties. There is an abundance of accommodations to satisfy every style and budget. The Dominican Republic has something for everyone and can fulfil the holiday dreams of those seeking sophisticated luxury, eco-adventure, arts and culture or simple lazy days on white sandy beaches. Year-round sports, effervescent nightlife, distinctive shopping, relaxing resorts, designer golf courses and magnificent national parks make for a fun-filled vacation to-do list. With the pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, intriguing relics from centuries past and upscale resorts and marinas, the Dominican Republic is both an exciting and sophisticated country that will delight even the most experienced traveller. For further information on the destination please contact: ESP: esp-bobby@hotmail.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768 901197

After a full day of sun, sand and surf, visitors to the Dominican Republic can spend the evening hours trying their luck at any of the many casinos located throughout the island. Colourful flashing lights, friendly card dealers and the sounds of winning cheers and falling coins are sure to draw even the novice gambler to a blackjack table or slot machine. The casinos of Dominican Republic offer a complete and unadulterated 12 – 14 hours of entertainment, excitement, high stakes and thrill. The spin of wheel, the throw of dice and the draw of cards makes one forget the rest of the world and gets one emerged into the pure fun of the glitzy and glamorous world of casinos. You will find a complete Las Vegas Style action and ambiance in the Casinos of Dominican Republic that feature everything from Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker, and Baccarat to clinking, blinking slot machines. Dominican Republic casinos use Las Vegas odds, so the casino's profits and player winnings are relatively the same and considered fair. To provide easy access to gambling funds, many of the casinos offer ATMs, cash traveller's cheques and will charge playing chips to a credit card. With a major stroke of luck, one may even be able to pay off their vacation. LIST OF CASINOS EAST COAST Barcelo Bavaro Casino, Punta Cana (www.barcelo.com) Hours: Table games 8:30 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily, Slots machines 2 p.m. - 4 a.m. Games: 100 slot machines and table games including, billiards, blackjack, roulette Iberostar Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana Hours: Table games 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. daily, Slot machines 4 p.m. - 3 a.m. Games: 46 slot machines, miscellaneous table games Melia Caribe Tropical and Casino Palma Real, Punta Cana (www.meliacaribetropical.solmelia.com) Hours: 8:30 p.m. - 3 a.m. daily Games: 40 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, poker, roulette Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana (www.majestic-resorts.com/ingles.html) Hours: 4 p.m. - 3 a.m. Games: slot machines, miscellaneous playing tables Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana (www.palmarealparadisus.com/index.php) Hours: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Games: slot machines, table games including: poker, black jack Sirenis, Punta Cana (cocotal@sirenishotels.com) Hours: 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. Games: Slot machines, poker NORTH COAST Occidental Allegro Playa Dorado Hotel and Casino El Dorado, Playa Dorada (www.occidentalhotels.com/hotel_information.aspx?hotel=1082645286893) Hours: Slots 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. Table games 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. Games: 46 slot machines and miscellaneous table games Paradise Beach Club & Casino, Puerto Plata (www.amhsamarina/com/Amhsalngles/paradisebeach.aspx) Hours: 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily Games: 56 slot machines and table games including: blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, craps, roulette Puerto Plata Village, Puerto Plata (www.puertoplatavillage.com) Games: 30 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, poker and roulette The American Casino at Jack Tar Village (www.amcasgroup.com/puerto_plata.htm) Hours: 4 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily Games: 43 slot machines and table games including: blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, craps, roulette El Millòn Casino at ClubHotel Riu Bachata (www.riu.com) Hours: 4 p.m. - 4 a.m. Games: table games including black jack, American poker, roulette Playa Chiquita Resort and Casino, Sosua Wed-Sun 4 p.m. - 4 a.m./ Mon-Tues 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. Games: 96 slot machines, table games including: blackjack, craps, poker, roulette Casino de Ocean World (www.oceanworldmarina.com) Hours: from 7 p.m. Miscellaneous table games SOUTH COAST Coral Hamaca Beach Hotel & Casino, Boca Chica (www.coralhotels.com) Hours: Casino is open 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. daily Games: slot machines and table games including blackjack, craps table, poker and roulette Coral Costa Caribe Beach Hotel & Casino, Juan Dolio (www.coralhotels.com) Hours: 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily Games: 70 slot machines and table games including: Caribbean Stud Poker, blackjack, craps, poker and roulette Barcelo Gran Hotel Lina & Casino, Santo Domingo (www.barcelo.com) Hours: Slot machines 12 p.m. - 5 a.m. daily, table games 4 p.m. - 5 a.m. Games: slot machines, table games including: blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, poker and roulette El Napolitano Hotel & Casino, Santo Domingo Hours: 6 p.m. - 6 a.m. daily Games: 40 slot machines and table games including: blackjack and roulette Melia Santo Domingo Hotel and Casino Diamente, Santo Domingo (www.meliasantodomingo.solmelia.com) Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 a.m. daily Games: 50 slot machines and table games including: blackjack, craps and roulette Coral Costa Caribe Beach Hotel & Casino, San Pedro de Macious (www.coralbyhilton.com/CostaCaribe) Hours: 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily Games: 75 slot machines and table games including Caribbean Stud Poker, blackjack, craps, poker and roulette Occidental El Embajador Hotel & Casino, Santo Domingo (www.grupocomar.com/uk/casinos_america.html) Hours: 4 p.m. - 6 a.m. daily Games: 50 slot machines and table games including: blackjack, poker and roulette Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, Santo Domingo (www.renaissancehotels.com/SDQGW) Hours: 24 hrs Games: 50 slot machines and table games including: baccarat, blackjack, craps, Pai Gow Poker and roulette Hispaniola Hotel y Casino, Santo Domingo Hours: Slot machines 12 p.m. - 5 a.m. daily, table games 4 p.m. - 5 a.m. Games: Slot Machines and miscellaneous table games For further information on the destination please contact: ESP: esp-bobby@hotmail.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768 901197