NewsWhore
06-15-2007, 03:40 PM
Numbers of air arrivals to the DR has stagnated so far this year, according to Diario Libre. During the first four months of the year the number of tourist arrivals grew by only 1.4% while hotel occupancy grew by a mere 0.1%. In April alone hotel occupancy was down by -0.7%. A report by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) indicates that tourist arrivals have decreased in five out of seven of the country's main tourist areas. The tourism sector is the country's largest single money earner and usually has an annual growth rate of 10%. During the first four months of 2006 growth in the sector was at 11.3%. Figures indicate that Dominicans who reside abroad made up 11% of the total number of tourists who came to the DR in the first four months of the year, a 4.3% decline. Non-resident foreigners who visited increased by 2.2% compared to a 12.3% growth last year.
Tourism receipts, nevertheless, have not declined, primarily because there is a real estate boom in tourism areas. The decline is attributed in part to the passport requirement enforced by the US government that reduced the number of US travelers that could on the spur of the moment fly down for a vacation.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)
Tourism receipts, nevertheless, have not declined, primarily because there is a real estate boom in tourism areas. The decline is attributed in part to the passport requirement enforced by the US government that reduced the number of US travelers that could on the spur of the moment fly down for a vacation.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)