Dominican Republic’s Travel Industry Grew 8 Percent, Topped $5 Billion in 2013

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia on Sunday said the sector grew 8 percent in January, which in his view heralds 2014 as one of the best years for the country’s tourism industry, with more than $5 billion in earnings in 2013.

He said contrary to the tourism sector’s stagnation during the first months last year, “2014 is going quite the opposite.”

The official said while the entire Caribbean region’s tourism grew just 0.2 percent in 2013, Dominican Republic boasted more than 4 percent.

Interviewed by Hector Herrera on Telesistema Channel 11, Javier called “vigorous” the last quarter growth in foreign visitors. "To give you an idea, tourism grew 7 per cent in October, eight in November and 10 in December; and contrary to what happened in 2013, we have continued that robust growth now in January, the industry posted an eight percent increase.”

Garcia called the sector the Dominican economy’s true spinal cord, “since it provided more than 5.0 billion dollars last year.”