The fall of the peso, while disastrous for so many, makes the Dominican Republic
\na very attractive proposition for tourists, and the sector is experiencing a
\nboom, with high hotel occupancy levels. The first ten months of the year saw a
\nrecord number of tourist arrivals numbering nearly 2,700,000 – the first
\nCaribbean tourist destination to attain this figure. This represents a 21.6%
\nincrease on the figure for the equivalent period last year and additional income
\nof US$410 million. The total income for the tourist sector this year is
\nestimated at US$2.78 billion, according to Central Bank statistics. Three
\nmillion tourists will have visited the Dominican Republic by the end of 2003,
\nand the income generated will rise to well over US$3 billion, according to these
\nprojections. The Dominican Republic’s main competitors in the region, Cuba and
\nMexico’s Caribbean coast, have seen a lower growth in tourist traffic, 14% and
\n7% respectively. The average Dominican hotel’s occupancy rate for this year is
\n74%. These improvements can also be attributed to the economic upturn in the US,
\nwhich sent 25% more tourists this year, as well as the Dominican tourist
\nauthorities’ promotional work abroad. The stronger euro currency is also a
\nfactor in the 22% increase in tourism from Europe. This coming weekend, which is
\na long weekend for Dominicans, all hotels in the main tourist areas are fully
\nbooked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The fall of the peso, while disastrous for so many, makes the Dominican Republic a very attractive proposition for tourists, and the sector is experiencing a boom, with high hotel occupancy levels. The first ten months of the year saw a record number of tourist arrivals numbering nearly 2,700,000 – the first Caribbean tourist destination … <\/p>\n