The president of the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), Rafael Blanco Tejera says that if the present upward trend in travel continues, the DR will end the year with a new record in tourist arrivals. He forecasts the barrier of seven million tourists will be reached for the first time in Dominican history.
When interviewed by Christian Jiménez for Encuentro Extra on Color Visión, Blanco Tejera said a new record in number of arrivals was reached in June — 644,000 tourists.
“Today we can say that the tourism industry has fully recovered,” he highlighted. “We have just reached 644,000 arrivals of tourists to the Dominican Republic in one month, a historical record. For this year, we have projections of more than seven million tourists,” said the president of Asonahores.
He said that what happened in the Dominican Republic is unique in the world and impacts the country’s economy in general because of the spillover effect of the tourism sector.
“I think it has been a great strategy developed by President Luis Abinader to be able to relaunch our economy,” said Tejera.
Rafael Blanco Tejera attributed the success achieved by the country to three factors — the creation of the health cabinet, the government’s handling of the pandemic and the vaccination process implemented by the authorities after Covid-19 hit.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, the Dominican Republic was one of the countries to best perform during the Covid-19 pandemic. Free vaccines early on were made available to the population.
“We outperformed many developed countries regarding the pandemic,” explained Blanco Tejera. He said this enabled the country to sell vacations abroad, with the world seeing the Dominican Republic as a safe country. “Without the all-out vaccination program, this would not have been possible,” said Blanco Tejera.
Although the US Department of State frequently warns its citizens to be cautious when visiting countries such as the Dominican Republic due to crime, Asonahores says this has proven a safe destination for families to vacation.
Blanco Tejera observed that Russia, Ukraine, Colombia, Argentina and Canada sent thousands of tourists in the first days after travel was resumed in 2020 after the critical months of the pandemic. He lamented that the around 60,000 Russians and Ukrainians are no longer traveling here due to the war.
Blanco Tejera also spoke of the diversified all-inclusive resort vacation offers. He said there are resorts for those seeking luxury and those seeking low-cost vacations. He said that the country has delivered quality vacations, which has been key for prompt recovery.
The president of Asonahores said that Asonahores member hotels are regulated and certified by international companies. This positive element gave people confidence when traveling again amid the pandemic. The Ministry of Tourism launched Qualitur, a seal that is granted to establishments that meet the quality service standards. “Through a QR code, now each client can verify if the business is certified.
The president of Asonahores said the excursion to “Parque del Este” (Saona Island, Palmilla and Bayahibe) continues to be the most popular. “We have a very well assembled excursion structure and more than one million tourists go every year to visit it. He also mentioned the Damajagua waterfall excursion in Puerto Plata; whale-watching and Limón waterfall excursion in Samaná; and visits to the Colonial City, as some of the most popular tours.
Blanco Tejera also mentioned the growing popularity of adventure tourism with visits increasing to the mountain destinations of Jarabacoa and Constanza. He said there is a boom in second home purchases by foreigners who are retiring in the mountain areas.
The president of Asonahores also mentioned the post-pandemic years have been good for health tourism. He said US$200 million has been invested in health care facilities after the pandemic broke out.
The film industry has also been a bonanza for the tourism industry. In the pandemic years, dozens of film companies came to shoot their films here. Thousands have come and stayed at hotels and vacation properties in the country.
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12 July 2022