Foreign tourists visits were again on the rise for Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, and other vacation areas in February. According to just released statistics from the Central Bank, foreign tourists visiting Punta Cana were up 40 percent, Puerto Plata foreign air arrivals were up 9 percent, and La Romana?s foreign visitors increased 22 percent when compared to air arrivals for February 2002.
The number of air passengers coming from the United States is responsible for the steep climb in arrivals to Punta Cana. Traffic to the PUJ terminal increased 33,948 in February for a total 119,658 visitors in February, a record for any port of entry into the Dominican Republic.
The traffic of regular scheduled flights between PUJ and United States is increasing fast. For example, USA3000 now has flights from Philadelphia, Washington, Cincinnati, Newark and Cleveland. US Airways flies from Charlotte (North Carolina), and American Airlines has flights from Miami, New York, San Juan, Puerto Rico several times a day. European traffic is not lagging behind, with even Iberia expecting to start a direct flight this summer.
Puerto Plata on the north coast welcomed 57,189 foreign tourists, up from 52,259 in February 2002.
Foreign tourists visiting southeastern La Romana totalled 26,228 foreign air arrivals, up from 21,514 in 2002.
On the other hand, travel to Las Americas International Airport catering primarily to Santo Domingo-bound travelers, declined in February from 52,283 foreign air arrivals in 2002 to 51,081 in 2003. Herrera, Santo Domingo?s inner city airport, received 734 passengers in 2003, compared to 1,396 in 2002. The airport is expected to close later this year when La Isabela International opens north of the city.
The number of foreign air arrivals for February 2003 totaled 260,975 in February compared to 214,076 in 2002, for a 22 percent overall increase.