Non-resident air arrivals to the DR are up through September, compared to last year, reports the Central Bank. Central Bank statistics show that 3,514,357 air passengers visited the DR, including 134,594 more this year for the January-September period than last year. Last year, there was a decline of 66,487 travelers compared to 2008.
Travel from the US and Canada was up by 64,514 passengers, and from South America by 56,038 passengers. Travel from Europe was down 66,973 passengers during the same period, with declines in major markets in Spain, France, UK, Italy and Germany. Russian travel was up by 16,825 air passengers.
Punta Cana International Airport continues to be the leading port of entry, with 1,561,555 tourists, equivalent to 57.29% of all air arrivals. Others were Las Americas in Santo Domingo (577,830), Gregorio Luperon in Puerto Plata (317,901), Cibao in Santiago (106,919), La Romana (93,916), El Catey in Samana (47,368), La Isabela in Santo Domingo (20,283) and followed in number of arrivals.
The Central Bank says that 91% visited for recreation. 87% stayed at hotels. Most visitors were women, with a 54% to 46% breakdown. And 65% of visitors were aged between 21 and 49.
http://www.bancentral.gov.do/publicaciones_economicas2.asp?docu=informe_turistico…