The Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia reports that the growth in the sector was the highest in the Caribbean at 6.6%. This figure has exceeded forecasts made at the beginning of 2012 because of the economic crisis in parts of Europe and the generally slow recovery from the world crisis of 2007-2008. The minister told reporters from Hoy that while the growth in tourist numbers was up over 6%, at global level it had grown by only 4% and in the Caribbean it grew by 4.8%. Garcia noted that over 4.6 million tourists visited the country and this marks the second year in a row that the Dominican Republic has been the regional leader.
Given the number of flights that have been authorized by the President, Garcia believes that it is possible to go past the five million-mark by the end of this year.
He also stressed that the Ministry of Tourism is investing some US$30 million in the Colonial City, the cleanup of the Malecon and the construction of the Bavaro-Uvero Alto-Miches-Sabana de la Mar highway as well as the connection of the Autovia del Este with the Coral Highway.