El Caribe newspaper points out that hotel occupancy has continued to maintain
itself way above last year’s levels, even in the slow month of September.
Average occupancy at the larger hotels this year from January-September has been
74.1%, up from 63.9% last year.
Punta Cana/Bavaro continues to lead the way with an 85% occupancy rate, followed
by La Romana-Bayahibe, 80.7%. Occupancy in other areas was: Puerto Plata 62%,
Boca Chica-Juan Dolio 62%, Sosúa-Cabarete 61.8%, Santo Domingo 61.8%,
Samaná 57.5%.
According to National Hotel & Restaurant Association statistics with the
exception of Santo Domingo, all areas have seen significant occupancy increases.
Samaná led the way with a 46% increase over September of 2002, Sosua was
second with a 19% increase, followed by Punta Cana-Bávaro, Puerto Plata
and La Romana.