Ambassador of Canada Bruno Picard predicts that 275,000-300,000 Canadian tourists will visit this year. This would be up from the average 200,000 that have been visiting for the past five years. He told Hoy newspaper that some 72 charter flights are already programmed for the 2000-2001 winter season with a total capacity for 350,000 passengers. Some 29 flights will fly into Puerto Plata (North Coast), another 20 to Punta Cana (East Coast), five are booked for La Romana (Southeast), and another eight for Santo Domingo (South Coast). He attributed the increase to the consolidation of the perception of the Dominican vacation as a quality product. He said that Canadians know what to expect here, and appreciate the hospitable and friendly Dominican people and the great climate. (18 October 2000)
