Punta Cana, on the East Coast of the Dominican Republic, was ranked by Carlson Wagonlit travel agents as the fourth most popular international vacation destination. Punta Cana was named by 34.8% of the 287 travel agents responding to the chain’s 2004 Travel Trends survey, whereas previously it had never made the top 10. “Punta Cana has swiftly become one of our network’s best sellers, and our travel experts receive excellent feedback from their customers who’ve experienced the island,” said Roger Block, CTC, executive vice-president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s Associate Division. He added, “It blends a gorgeous landscape and white beaches with Hispanic culture and a European flair, and its all-inclusive resorts offer a terrific experience for a great value.”
US travel for 2003 and 2004 is looking good, according to the poll. The recent survey revealed that 83% of respondents said their bookings for the year ahead are the same or better than those of this time last year, and 85% said they are “fairly optimistic” about their business for 2004. The survey, conducted from 20 October to19 November 2003, was completed by 287 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate owners, managers and frontline agents, representing nearly one in three Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate agency locations throughout the US.
According to the survey the top 10 international destinations for 2004 are: Caribbean Cruising (77%), Cancun, Mexico (70.7%), Riviera Maya, Mexico (35.2%), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (34.8%), Jamaica (34.5%), London, England (27.9%), Playa del Carmen, Mexico (27.5%), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (19.5%), Mexico Cruising (18.5%), Cozumel, Mexico (16%).