First-quarter visitor bookings to exceed 2023
David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
“We have conducted more than 55 roadshows with travel agents and tour operators from Argentina, Canada and other nations.”
The tourism sector is starting the year with positive indicators, according to preliminary statistics on air ticket bookings to come to the country during the first three months of this year, when an increase of 6.6%, 13.0%, and 16.5% was recorded in January, February, and April respectively, compared to last year.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, pointed out that these reservations surpass those made to destinations with which the country competes in terms of tourism, such as Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas and Cuba.
He pointed out that the United States, Canada and Argentina are the main tourist destinations in these reservations, according to the international air ticket sales platform.
These figures are in line with what happened last year, said Collado, recalling that the Dominican Republic received 12.03% of all tourists who traveled to the Caribbean.
He stressed that these indicators were achieved in a geopolitical scenario of uncertainty in which inflation and the war situation have negatively impacted tourism activity worldwide.
He pointed out that the Russia-Ukraine war alone caused a loss of 600,000 tourists per year at the local level, but despite all these challenges, the country reached the goal of 10,306,517 visitors by air and sea, he said.
He pointed out that this scenario motivated the tourism team to spearhead a tourism promotion strategy focusing on the United States and emerging destinations.
“We have carried out more than 55 roadshows with travel agents and tour operators from Argentina, Canada and other countries,” he said, noting that this allowed that at a time of high inflation and war, 8,058,670 people will arrive to the country by air and 2,247,847 by sea. He indicated that only in December 867,570 tourists arrived to the country by air, 106,635 more than in 2022, which represents a growth of 13 percent.
He pointed out that in the January-December period, 8,058,670 tourists arrived in the country, 22% more than in 2022 and 25% more than in 2019.
He said that in the same twelve-month period, cruise passengers represented an increase of 45% over the same month of 2022.
Top destinations
The most visited destinations last year were Punta Cana, with 42%, Santo Domingo, with 18%, Puerto Plata, with 12%, and La Romana, with 11%.
The main countries of origin of tourists were the United States, with 43%; Canada, with 16%; Colombia, 7%; Spain, 5%; and Puerto Rico, with 4%.
Contributions from the sector
According to the technical vice-minister, Jacqueline Mora, the arrival of these tourists has translated into a contribution to the exchange stability due to the income from tourism.
She cited Central Bank estimates that for last year tourism revenues reached US$10 billion.Health and sports tourism were the two main reasons for travel by those visiting the DR in 2023. José De León
He detailed that in the case of formal purchases hovered around 352,236 million pesos, for an increase of 13% compared to 2022.
Main destinations
Ninety-one percent of tourists who visited the country last year expressed satisfaction and interest in returning, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Tourism with visitors.
The study also shows that the main destinations are Punta Cana (La Altagracia), Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.
In the case of the three main activities carried out by tourists in the country, are visits to Saona Island, with 18%; buggies, with 14%, and snorkeling, with 18%. The survey was carried out among more than 58 thousand visitors, reported Tourism in the Corripio Group luncheon.
Tourism steps
Investment
Hotel availability has an impact on an increase in the arrival of Canadian tourists.
Offer
In Madrid, Spain, the country will launch its sports tourism strategy.
Process
The policy for the collection of seaweed was reconsidered and a regional solution to the problem is expected.
The revitalization of the Colonial City is moving forward.
Investment. The intervention of “Tu Ciudad Colonial” is progressing and is scheduled to be finished in 2025, detailed Amín Abel, director of the Colonial Revitalization Program.
He pointed out that out of the 28 projects that make up the program, two museums are about to be handed over.
He explained that by the end of this month and beginning of February they will deliver the Santo Domingo Fortress and the Cathedral museums. In addition, they will open a sustainable mobility route.
