NewsWhore
05-05-2009, 07:20 PM
Thousands of tourists who had planned to vacation in Mexico have been arriving in the Dominican Republic, mainly in the Punta Cana area. In somewhat smaller quantities, tourists have also arrived in Puerto Plata. Tour operators serving both Mexico and the Dominican Republic have been re-routing hundreds of tourists, making the most of the similarities between the Maya Riviera and the Bavaro-Punta Cana region. The increase has meant that May will be a record-breaking month. There has been an estimated 40% increase in the number of tourists arriving in the eastern Dominican Republic.
Mexico, affected by the A(H1N1) or 'swine flu' outbreak, has seen a drastic reduction in the number of visitors to its tourist areas.
According to Hoy newspaper, over 100 additional flights have landed at Punta Cana International Airport. According to the executive vice-president of the National Hotel and Restaurant Association (ASONAHORES), Arturo Villanueva, eight additional flights have landed at Puerto Plata, three at La Romana and "eight or ten" at Las Americas International Airport (AILA).
Villanueva told reporters that he did not have the exact number of passengers arriving, but he said that between 190 and 400 had arrived on each flight.
The flights were mostly from Europe and the United States, carrying tourists who enjoyed Caribbean vacations. Fortunately, according to Villanueva, the country is prepared to meet the heavy influx of passengers, both in infrastructure as well as food and entertainment. The arrival of these thousands of tourists coincides with the lowest season for traditional tourism in the DR. Travel agents in many countries are recommending Jamaica and the Dominican Republic as the destinations of choice for this season.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)
Mexico, affected by the A(H1N1) or 'swine flu' outbreak, has seen a drastic reduction in the number of visitors to its tourist areas.
According to Hoy newspaper, over 100 additional flights have landed at Punta Cana International Airport. According to the executive vice-president of the National Hotel and Restaurant Association (ASONAHORES), Arturo Villanueva, eight additional flights have landed at Puerto Plata, three at La Romana and "eight or ten" at Las Americas International Airport (AILA).
Villanueva told reporters that he did not have the exact number of passengers arriving, but he said that between 190 and 400 had arrived on each flight.
The flights were mostly from Europe and the United States, carrying tourists who enjoyed Caribbean vacations. Fortunately, according to Villanueva, the country is prepared to meet the heavy influx of passengers, both in infrastructure as well as food and entertainment. The arrival of these thousands of tourists coincides with the lowest season for traditional tourism in the DR. Travel agents in many countries are recommending Jamaica and the Dominican Republic as the destinations of choice for this season.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)