Millenials lead in visitors to the Dominican Republic, writes Tomás Hungría, executive director of the Juan Dolio Tourism Development Association, in an article in Diario Libre. He says this follows a global trend.
Statistics indicate that 839,932 millenials, ages 21 to 35 years, visited the Dominican Republic from January to May 2018. That means that a third of all visitors, or 33 of every 100 travelers, during the first five months of the year were millenials. Next were baby boomers, with those over 50 years making up 30 out of every 100 travelers. Those 36 to 49 years old made up 22% of the difference. Teenagers make up 7% of tourists to the Dominican Republic and children 12 years or younger are 6% of the total of visitors.
Hungría explains that the percentage of millenials grew, while other age group segments declined.
He also observes that a global trend the country is following is the opening of adults-only hotels by hotel chains in the Dominican Republic to offer quiet areas and extra touches of comfort and elegance. He says this is because 86% of foreign visitors are older than 21 years of age. He says this is a market segment to lure because these visitors do not just travel when universities or schools are out of session.
For the millenials, he writes that the hotel chains have created brands with bright colors and is catering to the high tech needs of the young generation, including adding smart phones from which they can control music, lights and TV where these can watch Netflix series. The hotels have set up long tables for groups of 8, 10 and 12 persons where the young adults can socialize with fellow tourists. The more adventurous millenials are served authentic local cuisine and healthy cuisine, besides the usual fast food fare, such as hamburgers.
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Diario Libre
3 July 2018
