DR sees record occupancy rates in Q3

The Dominican Republic continued to thrive in the third quarter of 2017, according to the latest tourism stats from the destination.

As the country suffered little damage from hurricanes, Punta Cana became the most popular destination for leisure tourism with more than 2.73 million visitors in 2017, with a global tourism expenditure of 2.95 billion dollars (USD). The Dominican Republic as a whole has an average occupancy rate of 80 per cent, the highest in 15 years and a new record.

With new flight options on Sunwing, Azur Air and Eurowings, hotel developments, renovations - like the new Minitas Beach Club at Casa de Campo , and new airport facilities - including a VIP lounge with outdoor pool at the airport Punta Cana - the Dominican Republic is ready to welcome tourists this autumn and to impress them with its natural beauty and great hospitality.

Dominican Republic Live

This video series showcases the different destinations within the country following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Offered in four languages with tourist testimonials in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana-Bayahibe, Samana and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Live illustrates the enthusiasm and warm hospitality of the Dominican Republic.

Hotels

The first luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic, El Embajador, A Royal Hideaway Hotel has completed renovations of $40 million to equip the renowned establishment with state-of-the-art technology. Opened in 1956, this popular hotel has rejuvenated its suites, ballrooms, gardens and spa to offer unparalleled luxury and unforgettable experiences to its guests.

In July 2017, Playa Hotels & Resorts took over the management of Sanctuary Cap Cana in the south of Punta Cana, an adults-only resort with 184 rooms, including 33 luxury villas, five swimming pools and a residential development. This property will join the other 12 resorts managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts in the Caribbean, for a total of 6,130 rooms. Hodelpa Hotels invested US $50 million in tourist establishments in the Dominican Republic. The investment includes new hotels in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and a Sensations property for adults in Juan Dolio. In addition, land will be acquired in Altagracia to build two new Emotions hotels. The Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada hotel in Puerto Plata will be the fifteenth establishment to join the Hodelpa chain in the Dominican Republic, totaling 3,425 rooms across the country.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villa has presented its new project: the Minitas Beach Club. Located on the famous Minitas Beach, the new luxury resort features a 23-metre infinity pool, terrace and lounge bar with stunning ocean views. The Lifestyle Group presented a comprehensive expansion plan at the 2017 Discover Puerto Plata Market Place, including the President Suites Cabrete, the Luxury Villas in Luperón Bay, the Ultra Modern Villas in Samaná and the Lifestyle Tropical Renovation Beach Resort & Spa in Cofresí.

Renovation plans at Cofresi also affect facilities in Punta Cana, where a complete renovation of the lobby and its Japanese restaurant Kimonos has been completed, in addition to the opening of a new spa.

Airports & flights

The Gregorio Luperón International Airport recorded an overall passenger increase of 14.7 per cent over the same period in 2016. It will also be the first Caribbean airport to receive the Airbus A350-900, one of the world's largest more modern in the world, operated by Finnair throughout the next winter season. This winter, Azur Air will fly weekly to Puerto Plata from Düsseldorf and Sunwing from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Eurowings will offer flights from Munich throughout the summer of 2018. The Punta Cana International Airport has a new VIP lounge, which includes access to an outdoor pool. The lounge is expected to open in December.