DR Dominates Regional Tourism

AlterEgo

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Dominican Republic dominates regional tourism

MAY 23, 2014

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Friday May 23, 2014 ? In what Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia described as ?an extraordinary year,? the Dominican Republic?s 2013 visitor numbers grew by 3.6 percent over the previous year, outpacing the entire Caribbean region, which recorded growth in tourism of only 1 percent.

In welcoming 4.7 million tourists last year, the Dominican Republic streaked ahead of its closest rival Cuba with 2.8 million visitors over the same period, while Jamaica followed, clocking 2 million.

Meanwhile, the Spanish-speaking country?s year-round hotel occupancy averaged 87.3 percent, ?one of the highest rates in recent years,? according to Garcia.

The tourism minister attributed the high occupancy in part to the recovery of the European economy, especially the German market, which registered a 16 percent growth in arrivals last year.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the country has set a target of 10 million annual visitors within the decade, with Garcia predicting an 8 percent growth in arrivals by the end of this year alone.

That prediction could well be met, according to Travel Weekly, which noted that tourist arrivals for the first two months of this year were 6 percent above visitor numbers for the same period in 2012.

So what accounts for the popularity of the region?s most visited country?

The 2014 marketing campaign ?Dominican Republic Has it All? may not be as hyperbolic as it sounds for a country that boasts such sweeping contrasts as the oldest cathedral in the Americas and the newest (and only) subway system in the Caribbean.

That?s not counting accommodation options designed to meet the needs of everyone from budget travellers to the rich and famous; ease of access, with seven international airports serving major carriers from numerous gateways; stunning scenery including lush forests, 16 national parks, and 1,000 miles of beaches; and 28 top flight golf courses.

Part of the growth is also attributed to significant investments in the country?s infrastructure and restoration of historic sites, such as the major urban renewal project underway within Colonial City, the central neighbourhood of Santo Domingo and the oldest permanent European settlement of the New World.

A raft of incentives also plays its part in the continued development of the tourism plant, with a tax incentive law that provides a 15-year exemption to companies engaged in tourism development, including hotels, attractions and tourist-related activities.

The law also offers tax incentives to existing hotels and resorts that have been in operation for at least five years. A 100 percent tax exemption is available to existing hotels and resorts that are at least 15 years old and remodel or reconstruct more than 50 percent of their facilities.

As if to confirm that the Dominican Republic is doing things right, Expedia reports that the country is its top market in the Caribbean and that its main tourist resort Punta Cana is tops among all destinations in the region.

According to Expedia?s Demetrius Canton, director of market management in the Caribbean, Expedia?s demand for the Dominican Republic grew 33 percent last year, with the leading source markets continuing to be the United States, Canada, France, Brazil, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Dominican Republic dominates regional tourism : Caribbean360
 

sayanora

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Should be interesting to see how the DR-bashers spin this one .. shouldn't take long at all.
 
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Dominican Republic dominates regional tourism

MAY 23, 2014

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Friday May 23, 2014 – In what Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia described as “an extraordinary year,” the Dominican Republic’s 2013 visitor numbers grew by 3.6 percent over the previous year, outpacing the entire Caribbean region, which recorded growth in tourism of only 1 percent.

In welcoming 4.7 million tourists last year, the Dominican Republic streaked ahead of its closest rival Cuba with 2.8 million visitors over the same period, while Jamaica followed, clocking 2 million.

Meanwhile, the Spanish-speaking country’s year-round hotel occupancy averaged 87.3 percent, “one of the highest rates in recent years,” according to Garcia.

The tourism minister attributed the high occupancy in part to the recovery of the European economy, especially the German market, which registered a 16 percent growth in arrivals last year.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the country has set a target of 10 million annual visitors within the decade, with Garcia predicting an 8 percent growth in arrivals by the end of this year alone.

That prediction could well be met, according to Travel Weekly, which noted that tourist arrivals for the first two months of this year were 6 percent above visitor numbers for the same period in 2012.

So what accounts for the popularity of the region’s most visited country?

The 2014 marketing campaign “Dominican Republic Has it All” may not be as hyperbolic as it sounds for a country that boasts such sweeping contrasts as the oldest cathedral in the Americas and the newest (and only) subway system in the Caribbean.

That’s not counting accommodation options designed to meet the needs of everyone from budget travellers to the rich and famous; ease of access, with seven international airports serving major carriers from numerous gateways; stunning scenery including lush forests, 16 national parks, and 1,000 miles of beaches; and 28 top flight golf courses.

Part of the growth is also attributed to significant investments in the country’s infrastructure and restoration of historic sites, such as the major urban renewal project underway within Colonial City, the central neighbourhood of Santo Domingo and the oldest permanent European settlement of the New World.

A raft of incentives also plays its part in the continued development of the tourism plant, with a tax incentive law that provides a 15-year exemption to companies engaged in tourism development, including hotels, attractions and tourist-related activities.

The law also offers tax incentives to existing hotels and resorts that have been in operation for at least five years. A 100 percent tax exemption is available to existing hotels and resorts that are at least 15 years old and remodel or reconstruct more than 50 percent of their facilities.

As if to confirm that the Dominican Republic is doing things right, Expedia reports that the country is its top market in the Caribbean and that its main tourist resort Punta Cana is tops among all destinations in the region.

According to Expedia’s Demetrius Canton, director of market management in the Caribbean, Expedia’s demand for the Dominican Republic grew 33 percent last year, with the leading source markets continuing to be the United States, Canada, France, Brazil, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Dominican Republic dominates regional tourism : Caribbean360

Does that mean that Dominicans are booking more rooms?
I don't see any increase in tourism here in BC, don't know about the North Coast but I suspect that the increase is for PC and Bavaro.
Am I a basher? ;)
 

jfk-tampa

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Jul 28, 2007
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doesn,t seem to be the case on the north coast. not many new hotels and not much refurbishment of older properties . also the higher cost of flying into Puerto plata I think has been keeping people . not a bash just what I see . don,t know if they break it down by region of country as that would show where the growth is coming from.would be interesting to see the breakdown!
 

Criss Colon

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The most telling part of the whole "PUFF PIECE" is, .."According" to Garcia!
They figures are supplied by the DR's government, "Nuff Said"!
Doesn't correlate to what I see in the nearly empty, and/or closed "AI's" I visit around the country.If you think that's "DR Bashing", check YOUR AGENDA, not MINE!!!!!
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ramesses

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Jun 17, 2005
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Great news! I wish they could draw more tourists into Sosua, there is just so little for a tourist to do here. Unless you like to do nothing, like me. :)
 

AlterEgo

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Great news! I wish they could draw more tourists into Sosua, there is just so little for a tourist to do here. Unless you like to do nothing, like me. :)

Me too. I don't need to be entertained daily, or eat out frequently. I'm content to relax with my feet up reading a good book while the palm trees sway and the mango trees drop their fruit on the ground.

Like FrankR, I suspect that the vast majority of visitors go to Punta Cana. As far as numbers, it's easy enough to count the number of tourist cards sold in a given year.
 

cobraboy

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Jul 24, 2004
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The most telling part of the whole "PUFF PIECE" is, .."According" to Garcia!
They figures are supplied by the DR's government, "Nuff Said"!
Doesn't correlate to what I see in the nearly empty, and/or closed "AI's" I visit around the country.If you think that's "DR Bashing", check YOUR AGENDA, not MINE!!!!!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
I DO question the "87.3% occupancy rate"...

I do NOT see that.
 

jstarebel

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Oct 4, 2013
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If you go to tripreports forum, most of the post are about Punta Cana with Bavaro second. La Romana and Samana are about an equal third in posts. There is no doubt that tourism in these areas has been on the rise, with PC the Caribbean hot spot right now.
 

drescape24

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Nov 2, 2011
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I hope its not all smoke and mirrors. I think on the N.C. people are renting more villas and condos than before. I sure don't buy the 87% hotel occupancy rate on the N.C.

drescape24
 

Sosua Sonny

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Dec 30, 2013
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My friend who owns a 25 unit property has 4 units rented at present.

i guess all depends on the location. I find that the properties that cater to Tourists (i.e. gated, security guard, nice pool, newer bathroom and modern kitchen) get rented quite often.
 

CG

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Sep 16, 2004
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The "87.3% occupancy rate" is Punta Cana & only Punta Cana...

Okay, abit of it is the rest of the country but those numbers are 90% Punta Cana.
 

LTSteve

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Jul 9, 2010
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Does that mean that Dominicans are booking more rooms?
I don't see any increase in tourism here in BC, don't know about the North Coast but I suspect that the increase is for PC and Bavaro.
Am I a basher? ;)

I would imagine that they are basing their figures on the number of people who buy tourist cards when entering the country and not necessarily room bookings. The Tourism Ministry needs to ramp up the eco-tourism side of the equation.
 

Criss Colon

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My friends company has 24 casinos here in the DR.
MANY are located in, or near the tourist hotels.
Several are closed due to low occupancy rates, especially on the North Coast.
I TRUST his #'s!
NOT "Garcias" #'s!
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the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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My friends company has 24 casinos here in the DR.
MANY are located in, or near the tourist hotels.
Several are closed due to low occupancy rates, especially on the North Coast.
I TRUST his #'s!
NOT "Garcias" #'s!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

you think the casinos are closed because of hotel occupancy rates?

you had better ask your friend to give you the real scoop.