According to the Ministry of Tourism, the French market continues to grow, with French tourists increasing from 57,000 in 1997 to an estimated 140,000 this year. Traffic is already up 35% compared to the first six months of this year. Nevertheless, Arturo Villanueva of the Hotel & Restaurant Association said that Air France has had to cancel 12 flights in September and October because of the concern of French tourists about visiting the Caribbean in the hurricane season. He said that for next year, hotels will be offering special rates and packages during these two months to encourage French tourists to not put off their vacations. Air France has a daily flight to the DR and has plans to add flights to Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Barahona next year.
