The latest Central Bank figures show that tourism in the Dominican Republic was up 18% for the first six months of the year, with nearly 245,000 more visitors arriving during this period than in 2002. By the Central Bank?s calculation, these tourists produced US$1.61 billion for the economy and, if current trends continue until the end of the year, over US$3 billion would be generated by the tourism industry. Average hotel occupation for the six-month period was 73.8%, appreciably more than the 64.1% occupancy recorded for 2002. These statistics place the Dominican Republic at the head of Caribbean tourist destinations. Among the catalysts for the increase, the Central Bank cited the devaluation of the peso and the intensified public relations campaign being waged by the hotel association and tour operators. Punta Cana is the leading airport, receiving 46.9% of all tourists arriving here.