The Central Bank statistics department reports that 15,393 more tourists visited the Dominican Republic in May 2012 for a 6.12% increase compared to May 2011. Some 2,071,269 tourists have visited for the first five months of the year, or 138,705 more, for a 7.18% increased overall compared to the same period last year. The United States, Russia, Canada, Argentina, France, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia source markets showed positive numbers for the first five months of the year.
Total arrivals, including residents and non-residents, from January to May 2012 was 2,260,673, 6.89% more than last year.
On the other hand, the statistics show declines for travel from traditional source markets, including the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany, reflecting hard economic times in Europe.
Punta Cana International Airport continues to be the main port of arrival for foreign tourists, with 1,140,961 arrivals from January to May 2012, or 62.23% of the total. Las Americas (Santo Domingo) received 18,17%, Puerto Plata 10.68%, Cibao (Santiago) 3.35%, La Romana 3.33%. Combined La Isabela and El Catey in Samana received 2.24%.
Polls carried out by the Central Bank indicate that 94% of tourists that visited the Dominican Republic did so for leisure, and 91.29% stayed at hotels. The tourist who visits the Dominican Republic is relatively young, as 64.57% said they were 21-49 years old.