According to a Central Bank report, 2003 has been the best year ever for tourism in the DR. This marks a sharp contrast from the gloom of 2002, commonly referred to in the tourism sector as the ?lost year?, when tourism withered following the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. The income derived from the holiday industry in the first four months of 2003 is estimated at US$900 million ? up 16.3% from 2001, which had previously held the record for top tourism earnings for the DR. On the upsurge is the eastern region, mainly the Punta Cana/B?varo area, while the North Coast is seeing a decline, according to El Caribe. The paper?s editorial comment remarks that the country must not be complacent, but should make the most of this promising situation. It warns that everything must be done to maintain the country?s good image abroad, and that the preservation of social stability is crucial for the tourism boom to continue in the years to come.