Tourism Minister Rafael Suberv? Bonilla feels the war in Iraq has not affected nor will it affect travel to the Dominican Republic. He said that present occupancy rates for the end of the winter season are very good. Indeed, over the weekend, hotels in Playa Dorada had overbookings and a steady stream of arrivals. Suberv? told Hoy newspaper that there had not been any cancellations.
Visiting tourism consultant Manolo Figuerola of Spain said that the DR could even benefit by receiving those sun-seeking travelers who will opt for the Caribbean instead of Florida. Visiting professor Bruno Pujol, director of the tourism department at the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, also feels the country could gain. He said that travel has become a right, an essential part of everyday living and people would rather change destination plans than cancel their vacations abroad all together.