The local market has been fairly strong with the promotions by the hotels and in conjunction with the tourist association.
But that alone is insufficient to sustain the tourism market that the DR needs and relies on.
Las Terrenas may be able to exist/maintain, but not thrive.
On the other hand, Punta Cana overall, the tourism engine of the DR, is suffering mightily.
No end in sight likely until at least next November. The government is doing what they can, but much of this is beyond their control.
According to family, lots more Dominicans are suffering this year.
Normally, I arrive and make the regular yearly in person donation rounds to the orphanage in Santiago and the poor in the campo near Moca. Unfortunately, for the moment, that is being put on hold and I need to enlist family to carry out the tradition..............but the need is far greater this year than ever.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
I was forced for family reasons to fly to Punta Cana in November and stay at an AI for a week.
I stayed at the Royalton Bavaro great hotel and service.
I would estimate occupancy at 20-30%
On the weekend more because of Dominican guests.
I also visited the RIU Palace P.C. very empty.
The beach was empty compared to normal times, a rare luxury.
The few Canadian flights available to PUJ only from YYZ and YUL are being used as ferry flight for Dominicans who need to return home.
There are also some Canadian AI tourists, but the 2 week quarantine reduces this largely.
PUJ was busy though.
Flights predominantly from the US, Latin America, 2 Canadian and one Swiss flight from Zurich.
So far CAN and EU flights are far from normal.
2021 will see severely reduced tourism in the DR.
Hopefully by 2024-25 some semblance of normalcy will return.
Of course flights to POP will have to be reinitiated.
