During the DR’s participation at the French Travel Market in Paris (IFTM/Top Resa 2009) last week, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia announced that demand for Dominican vacations is up in France and that tour operators and travel agents have motivated airlines to increase weekly direct flights to the DR from 20 to 26 for this coming winter season. The Minister said that while XL Airways will maintain its weekly flight to the DR, Air France would be increasing its weekly flights from 5 to 9 this winter. Corsair will also increase flight frequency from one to 3 a week.
At present, XL Airways has 14 weekly flights, Air France has 5 and Corsair, one.
Javier Garcia stressed that France is the third largest travel market for the DR, only surpassed by the United States and Canada, with 8% of international arrivals. He added that the 3 tour operators that manage 70% of all French outbound travel offer very creative packages to the DR.
During the trade show, he also announced the start of a promotional campaign with spots in 415 movie theaters in Paris. “Our strategy is to continue strengthening our agreements with tour operators and travel agents, but now we also aim to reach the consumer directly. We want to stir an interest in our country among those who have not been there,” he said.