The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism has launched an international design competition for a new tourism logo for 2010 that reflects its culture, history, accommodations and activities.

DRlogo2009”Since the Dominican Republic welcomes nearly 5 million visitors a year, we want to encourage all international designers to submit their entries, with particular emphasis on young emerging and new designers,” said Magaly Toribio, vice minister of international promotion for the Ministry of Tourism.

Toribio said that the new design, which will be used on all promotional materials, also should reflect the island’s recent No. 2 ranking in the Happy Planet Index, released by the New Economics Foundation in Britain.

The Dominican Republic was named the second happiest nation in the world, outsmiled only by Costa Rica. Entry deadline is Dec. 30; the winner will receive a complimentary trip the island. Contest rules are found online.