According to the Central Bank, 19% of the tourists from North America polled at the airport prior to their departure in 2002 were on a repeat visit to the country. The same exit opinion poll showed that the main reason for their choosing a visit to
the Dominican Republic was the climate (26%), followed by the beaches (19.5%). 8.8% of those polled also mentioned the hospitality of the Dominican Republic and 7.9% indicated they came because of the reasonable prices. 4.4% said they came to play
golf. The tourists had little interest in casinos, with only 0.2% saying it was a reason to visit.
The study shows that 42% of those who visited the DR, had already been to at least one other Caribbean destinations. 87.6% said they would return to the country, and 62.9% to the same destination within the DR.
Regarding European tourists, the same poll says that 5% were returning visitors, 43.9% came for the climate, 34.4% for the beaches, 7.9% for the hospitality and 2.9% for reasonable prices. Europeans seem to not be keen on golf, as only 0.4% said they
came for the golf, and 0% mentioned playing in casinos as a motive to visit.
17.4% of those from Europe who came in 2002 had visited another Caribbean country before. 67.7% said they would return, and 58.2% to the same first destination.