The governor of the Central Bank reported that this year has been extraordinary for the tourism sector, exceeding all expectations and with high flows of tourists
It is projected that by the end of this year the tourism sector will reach historic figures, with an arrival of around 7.2 million tourists or non-resident visitors and that revenues from tourism will be generated in excess of US$8.500 million, an all-time high.
This was stated by the Governor of Central Bank, Hector Valdez Albizuhighlighting that despite the adversities that the tourism industry has faced worldwide in the current international situation, the Dominican Republic remains the leading destination in terms of tourist arrivals in the region of the Caribbean insular and Central America.
He said that this year has been extraordinary for the tourism sector, exceeding all expectations, registering unprecedented flows in the arrival of non-resident passengers, accumulating 5.8 million visitors in ten months, according to data announced by the Ministry of Tourism. , that is, 7.4 percent and 8.7% more non-resident visitors than in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
He explained that during this year the activity of hotels, bars and restaurants has been the one with the greatest contribution to the growth of the Dominican economy, explaining approximately a third of the accumulated growth of 5.4% in the first nine months of the year. “In terms of real added value, the sector registered an expansion of 28.9% in January-September 2022, while tourism revenues reached an amount of US$6,341.9 million, for a relative variation of 65.7% with respect to the same period of 2021,” he said.
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Valdez Albizu offered these details upon receiving an award for his great contributions to the tourism sector that was given to him by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado; the president of Asonahores, Rafael Blanco Tejera, in the company of the executive director of Grupo Piñero, Encarna Piñero; the president of Banco Popular Dominicano, Cristopher Paniagua, and the administrator of Banreservas, Samuel Pereyra.
The award was delivered within the framework of the celebration of the V Tourism Investment Forum of the Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores).
In his thank you speech, Valdez Albizu highlighted that tourism has played an extremely important role in reactivating the economy, due to its multiplier effect on the demand for local goods and services and job creation, as well as its high incidence within the country’s total exports. “Tourism can be considered the backbone of the Dominican economy due to its communicating vessels with all other economic sectors,” he said.
He also highlighted that the tourism sector has recovered faster than expected, thanks to the various initiatives carried out by the Tourism Cabinet.
The president of Asonahores reported that the country has more than 85,000 hotel rooms, the best resorts in the region, 26 golf courses, multiple sports marinas, six cruise ports and theme parks. He added that the DR is the second country with the highest arrivals of tourists and foreign visitors in Latin America.
