4,124,543 non-resident air arrivals are reported for 2010, according to the Central Bank. This represents 132,240 more non-resident arrivals than in 2009, for a 3.31% growth. This includes 105,494 tourists and 26,746 non-resident Dominicans. It is the first time that the four million-mark has been crossed. In 2009, non-resident air arrivals totaled 3,992,303. Overall, in 2010, the Central Bank statistics show 4,586,264 arrivals to airports nationwide, up 171,508 travelers, or 3.88%.
Travel in December was up 0.75%, despite the cancellation of several flights due to snowstorms.
The leading source markets for tourists to the DR continue to be the United States and Canada, with 54%. Overall, there was an increase of 83,022 tourists from North America.
South America is also strong market. There were 67,436 more arrivals from Argentina (26,052+), Brazil (17,583), Chile (11,234), and Central America and the Caribbean with 14,801 more visitors compared to 2009.
European flows are suffering the effects of greater austerity. There was a decline of 62,066, due to fewer travelers from Spain, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
Punta Cana International (PUJ) continues to be the leading airport of arrival, with 57.12% of all arrivals. Las Americas followed with 21.86%, and Puerto Plata 11.38%.
The Central Bank reports that most tourists came for leisure 91.48% and stayed in hotels in 87.45% of cases. The average age of visitors is between 21 and 49. Stats show 53.01% of tourists are women and 46.99% men.
www.bancentral.gov.do/publicaciones_economicas/informe_turistico/informe_turistico2010-12.pdf