Dominican Republic Reports Tourism Increase, New Flights

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According to a recent report issued by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, overall visitors to the destination in the first half of 2008 increased by 6.55 percent compared to the same period in 2007. Roughly 2.2 million guests visited the Dominican Republic in the first half of the year. The U.S. continues to remain the largest visiting market with 32.2 percent, followed by Canada at 22.6 percent, France at 9 percent, Spain at 5.7 percent, Germany with 5.6 percent and the United Kingdom with 5 percent.

The most popular destination remains Punta Cana. The region’s international airport received about 53.5 percent of arrivals in the first half of 2008, followed by Las Americas in Santo Domingo. Puerto Plata International Airport received about 16.6 percent of the arrivals, followed by La Romana with 6.06 percent.

JetBlue will launch its first intra-Caribbean service with daily, nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic beginning December 18. JetBlue will also offer nonstop service between Boston and Santo Domingo, with a once-daily "holiday shuttle" in December and January. The airline will bolster its frequency between JFK International Airport and the Dominican Republic by adding a fourth daily flight to Santiago, a third to Santo Domingo, and a second to Puerto Plata over the holiday season.

Delta Air Lines will also add flights to the Dominican Republic this winter with daily service from Atlanta to Puerto Plata beginning December 20 and continuing indefinitely. A second daily flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana will be offered from December 20 to January 4, and from February 14 to April 19. Delta will also add a second Saturday flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana International Airport from January 5 to February 12, and from April 20 to June 30.

Visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.