The Dominican Republic recorded the best tourism record in its history in September as it welcomed a total of 365,544 non-resident visitors, which represents a recovery of 14% in the level of attendance recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic, and more precisely in September 2019, and of 25% compared to September 2020 figures. This generated US $ 412 million in revenue for the country.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that to date, the arrivals of non-resident tourists by plane to the Dominican Republic in 2021 exceed 3.3 million passengers, greater than arrivals for 2019 He pointed out that the recovery was more marked among non-resident foreign tourists, who stay an average of 7 days in the country.
Among the non-resident tourists who arrived in the country in 2021, 79% were of foreign origin and the 21% of Dominican origin. The strong tourist activity generated an increase in the number of jobs, which reached 162,254 people in more than 7,000 companies for the month of August, or 6,648 employees and 51 additional companies compared to July. This increase was mainly recorded in tourist accommodation, with more than 4,311 establishments, as well as in catering, with more than 1,800 establishments.
Hotel activity has reached its post-pandemic peak with 87% of rooms in operation, an occupancy rate of 54% on weekdays, and 61% on weekends. 22% of the clientele were of local origin and its attendance rate highlights the positive short-term results.
The easing of travel restrictions allowed the return of countries such as Russia, which rose in the ranking to take second place, just behind the United States. The other countries in the top 4 are Spain and Colombia.
In the data presented by MITUR (Ministerio do Turismo), the return to normal in the arrival of non-resident foreign tourists at the Punta Cana airport, which is again positioned as the main gateway for the Dominican Republic, followed by Las Americas International Airport and Cibao International Airport, both of which exceeded in 2021 the figures of the reference period in 2019.
According to September statistics, the Dominican Republic hosted 3,694 commercial flights, with an occupancy rate of 71%, operated by 87 airlines from 90 airports and 43 countries. At the same time, in the maritime sector, 10 cruises were carried out by 8 ships, two of which called at Dominican ports during the same trip. This represents the arrival of 22,572 cruise passengers in 3 different ports, including those of La Romana and Amber Cove, an increase of 3% compared to August.
Finally, airline ticket reservations for the period from October to December 2021 are 12 to 20% higher than those recorded in 2019. The parallel observed between the state of reservations of plane tickets to the Republic Dominican Republic and the flow of tourist arrivals suggests a significant rebound for the end of the year in the country’s recovery dynamic.
It is estimated that the number of tourist arrivals recorded in October 2019 will be exceeded in October 2021. By the end of 2021, arrivals of non-resident tourists in the country are expected to reach 4.8 million passengers.
Information for Canadian travellers:
Travellers arriving from Canada do not need to test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival in the Dominican Republic. Airports and other points of entry conduct a rapid random breath test on a percentage of passengers, and on all those who show symptoms upon arrival. The temperature of all passengers is also checked.
Passengers who show symptoms or have positive test results are isolated and examined in authorized locations.
Prior to departure from the Dominican Republic, travellers must provide their home airline and airport with any tests or other related requirements necessary for their return to their home country.
As of September 1, 2021, travellers must present on their arrival in the Dominican Republic the digital form that they will have completed online before their departure. This new digital form brings together the passenger’s international embarkation and disembarkation card, the customs declaration form and the traveller’s health declaration.
Download it at: htttps://eticket.migracion.gob.do/
You can then print the QR code that will be generated or present it on your smartphone on arrival to the authorities at the port of entry or at the airport at the time of control, to have it scanned.
For more information visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.