Puerto Rico | Launched “Together we are the Caribbean”, a Campaign in Partnership with the Dominican Republic to Promote Multi - Destination Tourism

Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have partnered in the launch of a $2 million, two year, Together we are the Caribbean” campaign to promote multi - destination tourism, which according to El Nuevo Día, the newspaper with the largest circulation in Puerto Rico, aims to promote the two islands initially in Europe and in a second stage in the United States.

Both countries will invest $1 million, targeting increased tourism stays by linking the two islands in that format so called “Multi – Destination” that involves visiting multiple countries, cities or locations within a  single itinerary, often booked under one ticket to save time and money, a model allows travellers to explore diverse places in one journey, frequently used for maximizing travel experiences in one trip. 

The agreement to integratre tourism between the two Caribbean islands was made at the 46^th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2026), which took place at the IFEMA fairgrounds in Madrid, Spain.

The agreement was signed by the the Governor of Puerto Rico Jennifer González and the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado to promote both destinations that share deep rooted, old ties defined by shared Caribbean geography, Taíno ancestry, interwinded cultures, Spanish colonial history, similar cuisines and music, deeply influenced by African, European, and Indigenous settlers.

In addition a large Dominican community lives in Puerto Rico, and the two islands have intensive trade, and diplomatic agreements fostering a strategic alliance in the Caribbean.

The Governor of Puerto Rico highlighted the strong connectivity with the Dominican Republic by Arajet, Frontier, JetBlue, and by sea via the Caribbean Ferries. Additionally, Balearia, a leading Spanisg shipping company, founded in 1998 and based in Dénia, specializing in passenger and freight ferry services is looking to operate another ferry service between Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and San Pedro de Macorís, the Dominican Republic.

The Puerto Rican official stated that with this multi - destination format, travellers will extend their stays gaining the experience of both cultures in one trip. The Puerto Rican Governor recalled that the idea evolved from an informal conversation into actual implementation following the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic’s visit to the Government Palace in San Juan and President Luis Abinader’s recent attendance at his inauguration. The official added that this promotion always remained in theory and never in execution.

The Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic highlighted that there is a 40 - minute between the two countries, which tourists can take advantage to enjoy both destinations with their cultures and outlined details of the joint promotion.

Other media outlets indicated that the Dominican Minister stated that Latin America has dreamed of this for more than 15 or 20 years and today the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are making it reality.

The official added that the goal is for tourists to visit these countries in a single trip citing as an example that travellers landing in Madrid in Spain, can also visit France or Italy and he highlighted a point : "Why not European travellers, when they go to Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, to take 40 - minute flight and enjoy two destinations with different essences and Culture?"  

In essence this agreement not only seeks to expand air connectivity but also to implement a strategy that facilitates lower travel costs and strengthen sea travel, as well as officially launching the multi - destination format which never had before a practical execution. 

The official campaign will be launched by the President of the Dominican Republic on a date yet to be determined.

Link

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2026/01/24/dominican-republic-and-puerto-rico-agree-to-multi-destination-deal-worth-us2-million/

Botswana | Prioritizing Tourism as a Core Pillar of its Economic Transformation

Botswana is prioritizing tourism as a core pillar of its economic transformation, targeting it to drive sustainable growth, create jobs, and foster citizen participation, as announced during the 2026 Tourism Pitso, held January 22 – 23 at the Adansonia Hotel in Francistown, a major national forum returning after a 13 - year break to shape the future of the local tourism industry. 

The event under the theme “Tourism as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation and Sustainable Growth through Partnership", it brought together government, private sector, and community stakeholders to design and develop joint plans. 

Through the National Development Plan 12 and the Economic Transformation Programme the country aims to boost the the sector’s contribution to GDP, diversify from mining, and increase local value retention. 

Botswana’s Vice President and Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, has positioned tourism as central to socio - economic transformation and shared prosperity, speaking at the launch of the 2026 Tourism Pitso stating that the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme and National Development Plan 12 aim to deepen citizen participation, strengthen collaboration and drive inclusive growth, with tourism prioritised to reduce leakages, regain value and enhance global competitiveness. 

Environment and tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi outlined measures to accelerate the sector, including a tender to appoint a consultant to assess the impact of local per diems pn tourism and inform policy adjustments. 

The Minister cited legislative progress through the Community - Based Natural Resource Management Bill to bolster community ownership, alongside a Cabinet - approved review to streamline licensing and improve the investment climate. 

The sector recorded 1.183.432 international arrivals in 2023, contributed 5.1% to GDP and supported more than 58.000 jobs and now the 2026 Tourism Pitso tool place to establish a catalyst transformation and sustainable growth through partnerships to position the country as s relevsnt destination in the region.

Key details regarding the initiative include: 

•    Strategic Focus: The strategy hinges on four pillars: an enabling environment, marketing and branding, product development, and infrastructure support. 
•    Economic Impact: Tourism already contributes significantly, with over 1.18 million international arrivals in 2023, supporting over 58.000 jobs. 
•    Policy Reforms: The government is implementing the Community – Based – Natural Resource Management Bill to empower local communities and is streamlining licensing to improve the investment climate. 
•    Diversification and Sustainability: Efforts are underway to diversify beyond traditional wildlife tourism to include culture, urban, and adventure experiences, maintaining a focus on high - value, low - impact tourism. 
•    Inclusivity: The initiative aims to reduce economic leakages and ensure rural, marginalized areas benefit from the industry. 

In essence this plan of transformation aligns with broader efforts to transition Botswana into a more diversified, sustainable, and inclusive economy. 

Link 

https://atta.travel/resource/botswana-puts-tourism-at-heart-of-economic-transformation.html

The Netherlands | The Dutch Government Decides to Open Lelystad Airport to Commercial Flights

The Dutch government after more than ten tears of discussions, with a new political coalition leading the Netherlands has provided clarity about the future of Lelystad Airport located 6.5 kilometres south southeast of the city of Lelystad in Flevoland, the biggest general aviation airport in the country.

Lelystad air hub became an official airport in 1973, is owned by by Royal Schiphol Group, which also manages Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, is also the base of AIS Airlines, although they do not operate scheduled flights from the Dutch airport. 

Lelystad Airport aims to open its doors in 2027 and welcome the first passengers for holiday flights, and its opening for commercial traffic has a lot of support in the region and among the Dutch. 
On fine days, there are between 350 - 400 air transport movements, and Leystad airport has around 80.000 air transport movements per year, and now the airport is ready to take a new role by welcoming commercial flight.

Construction has started for a passenger terminal with an area of 12.000 square metres, with 7.000 m2 as a passenger waiting area,  3.000 square metres is designed for baggage handling, 800m2  for offices and 1.200 square metres reserved for restaurants and shops. 

 The runway has been extended to 3.300 metres and widened, while parking postions for aircraft have been constructed. With this development Lelystad Airport will be able to support operations up to 10.000 flight movements per year, for holiday/leisure air traffic. This corresponds to a a total of 14 flights per day and will help to partially allieviate Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s saturation. 

In a release, the European region of Airports Council (ACI Europe) , the only worldwide professional association of airport operators, welcomed the Dutch Government’s to finally open Lelystad Airport to commercial flights, calling it a necessary and strategic step to safeguard the Netherlands’s connectivity, competitiveness, and regional development.

The decision will enable the Dutch aviation system to better meet current and future demand, while supporting economic growth, territorial cohesion, and resilience dual civil - military use.

Lelystad Airport CEO Jan Eerkens said that it's is a pleasure that the free forming parties have made real choices and have decided that Lelystad Airport can finally open a full - fledged passenger airport. This decision is a starting signal to get to work as quickly as possible. 

Together with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Air Traffic Control in the Netherlands, the province, municipalities, airlines, and the surroundings, there will be the opening of the airport as soon as possible. All will be carefully managed within the legal requirements, and it’s important to continue involving neighbours in the development of Lelystad Airport. 

For Lelystad Airport, it goes without saying that the airport does this in good harmony with its neighbours and the surrounding area. The arport has worked intensively with all those directly involved in recent years and made concrete agreements, and the aim is to continue to do so.

Director General of ACI Europe Olivier Jankovec stated that there is no doubt whatsoever that allowing the use of Lelystad Airport will boast the Dutch economy and deliver significant socio - economic benefits at local and regional level.  

With every 10% increase in air connectivity generating a 0.5% rise in GDP per capita and a 1.6% increase in employment, ensuring that airports can accommodate demand is a prerequisite for economic growth, cohesion and the fight against territorial inequality. 

ACI Europe’ Director added that this decision is also very relevant for Europe’ competitiveness. At a time where global competitors are expanding airport capacity and placing air connectivity at the heart of their economic and strategic development policies, 

Europe is facing an acute airport capacity crunch that simply failed to develop infrastructure in line with demand and have been squeezing the lemons for too long. The decision on Lelystad Airport therefore sends an important signal, not just for the Netherlands, but for Europe’s competitiveness as a whole.

Link 
https://www.travelmole.com/news/netherlands-open-lelystad-airport-holiday-flights/