According to statistics from the Central Bank, over the last 10 years the number of tourists to the country has increased by over 50%. In 2006 there were 3,965,055 and in 2016 there were 5,959,347. President Danilo Medina declared when he first became President in 2012 that the aim of his government was that 10 million tourists visit by 2022. However, although the sector is showing growth, it is not certain that this goal will be reached.
The Central Bank states that from January to May 2017, there was an increase of 6.7% of tourists visiting the country over the same time period in 2016. This translates to 169,450 more tourists so far this year compared to same period last year. So far, this year has been a record tourist year for the country.
The president of the National Association of Hotels and Tourism in the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), Joel Santos, feels that the goal of 10 million is achievable given that the figures are going up by an average of 500,000 a year, and he says that will result in 10 million tourists by 2024.
However, he said that it is not just the numbers that are important but also the quality of the experience the tourists have. He called for more investment in the tourism sector, as well as improvements in the quality and efficiency of electrical service in the country that, at present, accounts for 15% of the costs of running hotels.
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Diario Libre
Banco Central
4 July 2017
