(Press release from the Ministry of Tourism — November 10, 1998) The Dominican Republic tourism industry reported Tuesday that 75,000 visitors to the island were recorded during the first 15 days of October, the first two weeks following Hurricane Georges. "This is a welcome sign that our number-one industry is fast returning to normal,” said Felix Jimenez, Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism. The influx of visitors increased the country’s overall hotel room occupancy rate to 59 percent during the first eight days of October. Hotels in Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete, areas in the country’s North Coast unaffected by Hurricane Georges, reported occupancy rates of 75 percent during the final days of September and the first two weeks of October. "Thousands of tourists from Europe, North America and Latin America have come to our country since the hurricane to share the treasures the Dominican Republic has to offer,” said Rafael Blanco, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES). "Tourism activity is back to normal in most areas of the country, and all affected hotels are on schedule to reopen their rooms by December, the start of our high season for tourism." In Punta Cana, Bayahibe, La Romana, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica and Bavaro, the tourist zones most affected by Hurricane Georges, 13 hotels — approximately 5,800 rooms — sustained damage that interrupted normal operations. Hotels that reopened on schedule include Hotel Don Juan in Boca Chica (Oct. 15), Club Dominicus in Bayahibe (Oct. 31) and Natura Park in Punta Cana (Nov. 1). All hotels in the following areas plan to reopen in or before December, the start of the country’s high tourist season: Punta Cana — Allegro Resort Bavaro, Nov. 15 — Punta Cana Beach Resort, Nov. 15 — Club Mediterranee, Nov. 20 Bayahibe — Casa del Mar, Dec. 1 La Romana — Casa de Campo, Dec. 20 Juan Dolio — Coral Costa Caribe, Dec. 1 — Marena, Dec. 1 — Talanquera, Dec. 1 — Occidental Playa Real, Dec. 1 — Melia Juan Dolio, Dec. 1 — Caribbean Village Decameron, Dec. 20
