The RD has tripled it’s the increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of the year. According to Minister of Tourism, Felix Jimenez, January, February and March have witnessed a 25% increase over the same period last year. Early 1999 tourism fell sharply in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Georges the previous September.Jimenez predicted that by year’s end, the total number of visitors would easily exceed 3 million, some 400,000 more than last year. Ministry figures largely corroborate figures recently released by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES), which noted a 24.6% increase for the first two months of this year. Currently, the DR hotel capacity is in excess of 50,000 rooms, and hotels are enjoying a high occupancy rate. Tourist-generated income would "probably exceed US$3 billion." the minister said. Tourism income is an essential component of the DR’s economic strength. During 1999, 231,775 workers were directly employed in the industry. (7 April 2000)
