According to figures released yesterday, hotel occupancy was up for the third consecutive month, reaching a national average of 65.4 percent. This figure is 5 percent below the average for 2000 but only 0.9 percent less than the average for 2001. The good news is that the number of visitors to the Dominican Republic for the last two months of 2002 was superior to that of 2000 and 2001. Johnny Bernal, the president of the national Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES), said that the figures for the first two weeks of this year are an improvement over last year’s totals in the foremost touristic areas of the country. Puerto Plata was up four points, Juan Dolio equaled last year, and Punta Cana and Bavaro show significant increases.
