Hoy newspaper reports that while Mexico and Cuba saw increases in tourists of 29% and 11% respectively, air arrivals to the DR declined 0.04 in the first half of the year. Alan Ramirez, administrative director of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, said that the decline is mainly due to a major drop in German tourism. It declined 20% this year, after being the main source of travel to the country for many years. Furthermore, Ramirez said that Dominican hotel rooms are selling for an average rate of US$35 per night, compared to US$50 for Cuba and US$70 in Mexico. Ramirez called for an increase in government investment in tourism area infrastructure, urban renewal programs and travel advertising. (15 August 2001)
