SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing relief effort staging areas at some of the international airports located on the island.

The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.

"The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international relief organizations access to Haiti through the airport and seaports. Our transportation systems, communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here. We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors."

The DR shares the eastern 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.

DR Tourism Update:

• All of the DR's eight international airports are open and receiving flights.
• All of the DR's cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships.
• All of the DR's beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business operations.
• At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.

For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com.  To learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.

SOURCE The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism

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