The tourism industry generated US$2,103 million in 1997, according to a preliminary report of the Central Bank. The total is up 18% from 1996, when receipts were US$1,782.4 million. Tourism continues to be the major provider of hard currency to the economy. The Central Bank report states that average hotel occupancy was 76.2% last year, up 4.7 points from 1996. Total number of visitors grew 14.5% compared to 1996. There was a significant increase in arrivals via Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. The report comments that "great variety of services offered by renown hotel chains and local investors, together with marketing strategies implemented by the public and private sectors, has brought about a great dynamism to the tourism sector." According to the Central Bank, 2,539,781 visitors arrived by air in 1997, up 10.1% compared to 1996. European tourists made up 57.8% of the total arrivals, up from 54.8% in 1996. U.S. visitors market share was down from 34.7% to 32.1%. The United States, nevertheless, is the largest single nation source of visitors with 22.9%, followed by Germany, 18.8%; England, 12.4%, Canada 8.7% and Italy 6.8%. The source markets that grew the most last year were United Kingdom, with a 78% increase, France, with 77.1% and Mexico, up 43.8%. The Central Bank comments favorably on the diverse market mix of visitors to the Dominican Republic.
