The Minister of Tourism, Frank Jorge Elías reports, that some 2,172,800 tourists have visited the Dominican Republic in 1995, a 12 percent increase over the total in 1994. Last year some 1,940,000 tourists visited the island. The total includes non-resident Dominicans returning to visit family and friends, and many of which stay at hotels throughout the country. Minister Jorge Elías said that the increase is more than usual, and in view of the greater number of calls by the cruise ships, 1996 should be a record year for such arrivals. In 1989, the D.R. received some 1,004,622 visitors.