The Central Bank reports that the number of tourists traveling to the DR in August was up by 2.22% compared to last year. This increase represents an additional 7,247 tourists, for a total of 333,110 visitors in August 2010.
The Central Bank reports that during the first eight months of the year, air arrivals totaled 3,260,014 passengers, or 3.8% more than through August 2009. Statistics indicate that 119,243 more air arrivals came this year. Non-resident travelers totaled 2,949,596 for an increase of 2.94% compared to last year. Resident travel was up 12.67%, with 34,919 more Dominicans and resident Dominicans traveling this year than last year. Non-resident arrivals by foreigners were up 2.32%, or 57,835 more visitors.
In numbers, the Central Bank says that source countries that posted the better numbers for increases were the United States (60,706), Argentina (18,314), Puerto Rico (14,246), Brazil (9,939), Chile (9,014), Peru (6,515) and Venezuela (4,175).
There were declines in arrivals from Spain, the UK, Italy, France and Germany. There were increased from Russia (12,919), Scotland (1,698) and Sweden (1,698).
Punta Cana continues to be the airport of choice for most arrivals, with some 1,462,037 visitors, or 57.44% of all air arrivals. Las Americas in Santo Domingo was second, with 20.86%, followed by Puerto Plata 11.76%, Cibao 3.94%, La Romana 3.49% and Isabela (Santo Domingo) and Samana both with 2.5%.
The Central Bank reports that 64.5% of all tourist arrivals were between the ages of 21 and 49, and 54.5% women and 45.4% men.