The Central Bank reports that travel figures for non resident tourists were up 6.16% in July, with 24,247 more passengers compared to the same period last year. This includes 18,704 foreign tourists. Overall, non-resident tourist arrivals from January to July 2010 totaled 2,616,486, compared to 2,212,613 tourists in 2009. This is up 3.04% more compared to 2009. Travel was primarily up from North America, with 50,125 additional visitors. Travel from South America was also up, with 44,250 more travelers.
Source markets showing increases were: United States (56,572), Argentina (16,225), Puerto Rico (12,672), Russia (9,942), Brazil (8,592), Chile (8,327), Peru (4,904) and Venezuela (4,078). Countries showing declines were: Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany.
Punta Cana International Airport continues to be the country’s busiest terminal, with 1,300,999 passengers arriving during the first half of the year, or 47.7% of the total.