There will be a considerable increase in the number of Brazilian tourists in 2008 to the Dominican Republic now that the Brazilian tour operator CVC has commenced charter flights from Sao Paulo to Punta Cana as of this 7 July. The direct flight shortens the travel time by at least four hours. The tour operator has arranged for five TAM flights. The Brazilian airline will be using a Boeing 767-300 with capacity for 234 seats, for transporting 1,170 tourists to Punta Cana. The flights will depart the International Airport of Guarulhos in Sao Paulo on 6, 13, 20, and 25 July and on 3 August with a 5:55am scheduled arrival. Regularly scheduled flights could happen in the future, if the flight is successful.
The improving economic situation in Brazil makes Brazil a good potential source market for tourists to the DR. The United Nations World Travel Organization Barometer June report indicates: “The numbers for South America (+7%) show how the subregion has been prospering on the basis of stronger commodity export prices and continued financial and economic stability. Outbound and intraregional tourism (both leisure and business) has been growing strongly.” It says that Brazil has a very strong exchange rate and an economy that is prospering enough to allow larger numbers of people to travel on holiday, leading to the present boom in domestic and outbound travel.