Number of tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays grows by 4.3%

The amount of holidaymakers arriving to Dominican Republic's airports rose 4.3 per cent in 2011's first semester. This figure exceeds by 82,261 the amount of arrivals in 2010 during the same period. The considerable growth in the number of travellers taking Dominican Republic holidays is partially due to the increase of inter-Latin-American tourism.

This year Dominican Republic´s airports have received around 2.4 million passengers so far, representing a significant 3.6 per cent increase compared to last year´s figures. Experts say that a great portion of this growth comes from the 47.7 per cent increase in South American travellers visiting the Caribbean island. This year most South Americans taking holidays in the Dominican Republic come from Argentina (20,581), Brazil (19,336), Chile (6,076), Colombia (3,307) and Peru (2,886).

Another important source of tourism that accounted for a total of 32,721 visitors is North America. The U.S. alone accounted for 29,895 visitors from this total, and the rest came from Canada and Mexico. North America is an important tourism market for the Dominican Republic. Americans represent 34.2 per cent of tourist arrivals, Canadians 22.7 per cent and together they account for 57.9 per cent of all arrivals.

Although South American tourism has grown a great deal for the Caribbean nation, it only represents 9.2 per cent of all arrivals today. Meanwhile, Central America and the Caribbean represent 4.4 per cent and Europe 8.5 per cent of all arrivals. The amount of European travellers taking Dominican Republic holidays has also ascended meaningfully. From January to June, the number of Russian visitors soared by 59.2 per cent accounting for a total of 19,329 travellers, German holidaymakers grew by 5.6 per cent with 5,064 travellers, Italy by 8.2 per cent with 4063 and France by 1.9 per cent with 2,634 visitors.

Despite all the gains and increasing figures, Dominican Republic tourism doesn't settle with these favourable numbers and seeks to attract more tourists, primarily from China. Dominican Trade Office representative, Rosa Ng, said the country wants to attract even a small percentage of the millions of Chinese travellers who take holidays in different places around the globe, each year. The expert intends to materialise this wish with the support of the government, the Tourism Ministry and the tourism industry.

Their goal is to design and implement various attractions to persuade more Chinese holidaymakers to travel to the Dominican Republic. This strategy goes from appealing to Chinese visitors with terrific accommodations in Dominican Republic hotels and resorts, to advertising the natural beauty and relaxing beach landscapes of the Caribbean country.

Rosa Ng stated that 32 million Chinese tourists visited different holiday destinations around the world in 2010, and stressed the point that the lack of diplomatic bonds between China and the Dominican Republic shouldn't affect the number of Chinese tourists visiting Caribbean nation. The Shanghai Expo coordinator told the Dominican Republic's Tourism Minister last year, that the path to tourism relationships between both countries was clear.

About the Author

Orlando Consuegra has worked on the Cuba holiday industry from its very begining, initially as a Tour Guide for Saga and Kuoni, he travelled the island helping thousands of holiday makers to make the most for their holiday in Cuba.

Praised by many as one of the best tour guides in Cuba, both for his impeccable knowledge and his very correct manners, Orlando got promoted to Guides Coordinator in the Cubanacan Travel Agency. During this period Orlando helped organise fam trips for European tour operators as part of the insertion of Cuba in the world's holiday industry.

Promoted again as General Supervisor of The Holiday Place in Cuba, Orlando helped build very strong relationships with all the hotels in Cuba while enforcing a very high level of service and attention to all company's clients.

Orlando writes a blog "Know Cuba holidays like Us" at The Cuba Experience website where he shares his deep knowledge in Cuba and its holiday industry.