The Central Bank says the recent decline in US travelers to the Dominican Republic has been most likely caused by the uncertainties in a US electoral year. US air arrivals to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) were down 2.3% in the past four months. PUJ is the country’s main tourist entry point. US travel in recent years has represented more than 42% of all tourism to the country. Canada is the next largest source market with 16%.
The good news is that travel in general to the country continued to grow, despite the decline in US travelers. Tourism arrivals by air to the Dominican Republic in 2016 were up 7%. Russian travelers have filled the hotel rooms not booked by the US tourists.
Veloz says that occupancy in the Punta Cana area ranges from 85-89% even with the opening of five hotels with 4,000 new hotel rooms. He said occupancy is around 2% more than last year.
Nevertheless, Ernesto Veloz, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Projects of the East (Asoleste), in an interview with Bavaro News says he feels the time is right for the country to increase promotion to attract those who would have vacationed in European and Middle Eastern countries that have been affected by security problems. The situation opens up opportunities to attract these travelers to the Dominican Republic, he says.
He said new in the destination are the attractions in Downtown Punta Cana — the Lorenzillo Restaurant and the Guaguancó Latin music nightclub. He announced the Blue Mall shopping mall would be opening in the first part of 2017.
