An increase of 8.22% of tourists to the Dominican Republic has just come out in recent figures.  The arrival of tourists through national airports last year numbered 3,342,106 for an increment of 253,859 additional passengers which has surpassed the last two years.

The statistics coming from the Central Bank also show that by air a total of 4,383,765 passengers both resident and non resident arrived which represents an increase of 302,470 additional travelers above the 4,081,294 that arrived during 2005 for a 7.41% increase.

The growth has been put down to two areas, one the heightened promotional efforts from the Tourism Minister in international capactitys promoting the island as a holiday destination and secondly awaremness coming from the private sector seeking to elevate the country's tourism competitiveness in the Caribbean region.

Most airports showed a good performance during 2006 especially Punta Cana airport and also Puerto Plata aorport with registered growth rates of 16.65% and 2.53% respectively.

Puerto Plata received a massive 605,082 tourists toppling the 2005 figures of the previous year.