International arrivals to the Dominican Republic through the country’s seven international airports grew by 5.9% in 2012. The country received 3.9 million visitors, compared to 3.7 million in 2011. To date, the United States is the largest source of international tourists to the Dominican Republic with 55%. Europe came in second, with 28% of the total number of visitors. However, overall the European numbers represent a 3% drop from previous years.
In comparison, South America is the third largest market (11%), but with the highest annual growth (12%). Central America and the Caribbean contributed 5% of all arrivals, registering a 4% growth.
The main markets were the United States (37.6% of the overall total), representing 1.4 million tourists, Canada (17.5%), with 689,000 tourists and an overall increase of 3.2%; and France (6.2%), with 245,000 tourists.
These were followed by Germany, 4.5% of arrivals and 183,000 tourists, Russia, 4.1%, with 163,000 tourists, Spain, 3.9%, with 156,000, Puerto Rico, 2.9%, with 112,000, Argentina, 2.6%, with 101,000, the United Kingdom, 2.43%, with 95,000, and Italy, 2.3%, with 89,000.
Other major markets were Brazil, 2.0% and 79,000 tourists, Venezuela, 1.8% and 72,000 tourists, Chile, 1.5%, and 60,000, Colombia, 1.1%, and 44,000, and Peru, 1.0%, with 38,000.
The countries that experienced the highest growth were: Russia (35.1%), Venezuela (36.9%), Peru (27.1%), Chile (21.9%), the United States (14%), Colombia (9.7%), Brazil (4.3%), Argentina (3.9%), Canada (3.2%), and Puerto Rico (2.8%).
www.travpr.com/pr-21555-tourism-continues-to-grow.html