The country's main tourist areas have not been damaged by tropical storm Noel, according to an announcement by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. All hotels are functioning as usual and no foreign tourists were affected. A meteorology report from the National Direction of Meteorology states that Noel had no impact in the provinces of La Romana, La Altagracia and Samana. The precipitation that these provinces experienced was normal, so they were not considered a part of the flood alert area. (JP)