In its business section, the newspaper Hoy reports on statistics issued by the National Hotel and Restaurant Association (Asonahores) on 1995 figures for the tourism industry. The newpaper confirms that tourism is the principal hard currency producer for the Dominican economy. The tourist industry made a significant contribution to the nation’s well-being. In 1995 the D.R. had a favorable balance of payments and a surplus of US$51.2 million on the current account.
The US$1,485 million the industry contributed last year was double the total visible exports valued at US$753 million, and made up 58% of the total for invisible exports at US$2,542 million. In addition to the tourist industry, the other main sources of hard currency were the industrial free zones, US$474 million, and that of remittances from Dominicans living abroad, estimated in US$563 million. The newspaper also points out that tourism grew 16 percent last year.
The contribution of the industry is more important in view of the boom in imports that increased 23% in 1995. The aggregate value of tourism grew by 16.6% over the figure in 1994.
Asonahores reports that hotel occupancy increased from 72.4% in 1994 to 76.6 percent in 1995. Likewise, the number of hotel rooms increased by 5.8% in relation to the previous year.
Last year, the months of highest occupancy in hotels were January, August, February and November. The month with the least occupancy was May. According to the report, Puerto Plata experienced the highest occupancy rates in the country, followed by Boca Chica/Juan Dolio, Higuey. Santo Domingo was in last place.