Seven people have died following a light aircraft crash in the Dominican Republic, with the dead believed to include the pilot and six tourists. The single-engine Piper PA-32 came down shortly after take-off from Punta Cana Airport on route to Arroyo Barril Airport, Samana.

Leandro Cruz, vice president of sales, Casa de Campo talks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin 2015.

The Expedia group, one of the world’s largest online travel companies, has announced the opening of offices in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, the company’s first local offices in the Dominican Republic. “As one of the Expedia group’s top producing destinations within the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is an in-demand market with 305 hotel partners,” said Demetrius Canton, director of lodging partner services for the Caribbean, the Expedia group.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is encouraging travelers to visit one of the first cities to capture the attention of tourists, Puerto Plata. The area’s long stretches of unspoiled beaches, spectacular scenery and blends of history and adventure make it the perfect destination for every interest.  This versatile Caribbean playground has developed dramatically since it initially caught the public eye nearly 40 years ago.

The arrival of international visitors to the Dominican Republic through the country’s seven international airports grew by 5.9% in 2012. The country’s seven international airports received 3.9 million visitors, compared to 3.7 million in 2011. Fifty-five percent of the international visitors were from North America.

Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s most bio-diverse country, with 25 percent of its lush land and pristine coastline protected as national parks, reserves and sanctuaries. With the creation of the Dominican Republic’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary for Humpback Whales in 1962, Dominican Republic has been a forerunner in environment and marine-oriented protections ensuring magnificent nature abounds.