Tourism Ministry Sponsors a “Getting to Know Santo Domingo” Contest in the Czech Republic

The Dominican Republic, in its efforts to raise interest in and knowledge of the country in view of Santo Domingo’s designation as the 2010 Cultural Capital of America, is sponsoring a contest among Czech university students.

The activity has the support of the General Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Prague, according to Leila Berquis Boasier, Director of the Dominican Office of Tourism (OPT) in Prague.

The activity has the support of the General Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Prague, according to Leila Berquis Boasier, Director of the Dominican Office of Tourism (OPT) in Prague.

Boasier said the contest was named “Getting to Know Santo Domingo” to stir up interest among Czechs in the DR.

“The contest is part of a series of activities the Dominican Office of Tourism and the Dominican Consulate have done to celebrate an historic moment: the naming of Santo Domingo as the Cultural Capital of America 2010. This is huge step forward in Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García’s strategy for the international promotion of the country.”

Boasier stressed the historic importance of the Dominican capital as one of the pioneers of many aspects and events on the American continent. “The Dominican Republic is a multifaceted destination with a very rich culture, mainly in the city of Santo Domingo, the cradle of America. We want to motivate people to come and get to know Santo Domingo, the first city of America and the site of the first university and the first cathedral, among other important monuments that can be visited by tourists who travel to the DR.”

Ramón Carreño, Dominican Consul General in Prague, said contest participants need to present their research projects, in Spanish, related to the Dominican capital before January 26, which is the anniversary commemoration of the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, the Father of the Nation.

He added that the winner will be announced on February 18 and prizes awarded on February 27, coinciding with the Independence Day festivals.

The winner will receive a one-week, all inclusive trip to the Dominican Republic with a special tour of the capital, Santo Domingo, to be awarded by the Dominican OPT in the Czech Republic.

Ramón Carreño, Dominican Consul General in Prague and Leila Berquis Boasier, Director of the Dominican OPT in Prague, as they announce the contest “Getting to Know Santo Domingo.”