The World Tourism Organization recently released its 2005 statistical report. The report shows that the Caribbean received 19.2 million international tourist arrivals, or 14.4% of total international tourist arrivals to the Americas in 2005. Growth for 2006 in the Americas is forecast to be a modest 3%.
In its commentary on results for 2005 in the Caribbean, the Barometer comments that inadequate airlift continues to be a problem in the region. Nevertheless, it mentions that arrivals to the Dominican Republic grew by a significant 7%, due in large part to the boom from the US market that surpassed the million mark. It also comments that a 40% appreciation of the Dominican peso over 18 months undermined profit margins for resort operators, with the demand from the US and Canada softening in the last half of 2005.
See http://www.dr1.com/travelnews/archive/2006/WTOBarom06_1_en.pdf