El Siglo reports that German nationals lead the list of foreign visitors to the North Coast. During the first seven months of the year, some 146,127 Germans visited using the Puerto Plata International Airport. Canadians were second with 76,279 visiting. US citizens made up the third largest number of visitors, with 68,614 during that period. Some 46,798 British tourists visited, as well as 22,461 Spaniards. From Sweden, some 15,878 came. 14,907 came from Holland, and 9,490 came from Belgium. The number of Puerto Rican visitors was 9,459. Some 7,597 Italians visited; 3,710 came from Finland, 3,710. The total of French visitors was 3,594; and 1,903 came from Portugal. Some 22,788 more visitors came by way of Puerto Plata during the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 1998. Tourists arriving by way of the Puerto Plata airport primarily stay in Puerto Plata, María Trinidad Sánchez and Samaná hotels.
