The Dominican Republic has simply damaged a historic document with greater than 4 million arrivals within the first 4 months of the yr. If the trend continues, the nation might observe within the footsteps of Cancun, Mexico.
In keeping with the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, the nation is on monitor to exceed 11 million vacationers in 2024. A quantity by no means seen earlier than.
From January to April, the island acquired 3,039,302 air vacationers, 10% extra in comparison with the identical interval in 2023, and 1,139,381 cruise passengers, 15% extra in comparison with final yr.
In April alone, the vacation spot noticed over 700,000 stopover arrivals, a 3 p.c improve over 2023.
“Combining all these figures, now we have 4,178,683 guests within the first 4 months of the yr, which represents one other document,” Collado mentioned.
Most vacationers come from america (53%), Canada (18%) and Colombia (3%).
For its half, Mexico welcomed 3.6 million tourists in January alone, 124,000 greater than in 2023, a progress of three.6 p.c, based on the Nationwide Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
Cancun, town that enchants worldwide vacationers with its sugar-sand seashores and beautiful sunsets, holds the excellence of being essentially the most most well-liked vacation spot within the nation.
From January to April, town welcomed 8.21 million passengers, based on information introduced by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR).
This quantity represents a 6 p.c improve in comparison with the identical interval final yr.
In 2023 alone, 32.7 million holidaymakers handed by means of customs at Cancun Worldwide Airport; 63 percent of them have been worldwide guests.
Does the annual sargassum seaweed invasion play a roll?
Though Cancun vacationer figures could look extra promising, the large drawback Mexico has with sargassum might be a sport changer.
Following the invention of seven,400 tons of sargassum floating on its approach to Quintana Roo, lots of of tons of seaweed will begin arriving at Cancun seashores within the weeks to come back, based on the newest report by the state’s Sargassum Monitoring Community (RDMS).
The Navy Secretariat even needed to increase its sargassum alert for Cancun from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on Might 11.
In distinction, the Dominican Republic doesn’t appear to be so affected.
“Punta Cana Sargassum Seaweed,” a Fb group the place beachgoers share their experiences with algae, has been reporting clear or nearly clear seashores for weeks.
In fact sargassum is washing up on the seashores of the Dominican Republic, however the quantities are so small that it’s simple for authorities and hoteliers to quickly take away it from the sand.
As an example, well-liked seashores serving the Riu República, Catalonia Bavaro Seaside, Golf & On line casino Resort and Area Blanca Punta Cana resort are as pristine as typical.
