Santo Domingo, RD.
Tourism Minister David Collado reported that Between January and August this year, 2,938,200 tourists arrived in the country by the area road and projected that in 2021 it could close with the estimated figure of 4,840,376 non-resident visitors.
Collado, in presenting the monthly report on the arrival of tourists, has indicated that in August 2021 476,575 non-residents were received, Which accounted for 96% more visitors compared to this same month of 2019 (pre-pandemic).
He added that of the total number of tourists who arrived in the Dominican Republic in August, 371,555 were foreigners, 59,360 of Dominican origin and 51,469 family visitors.
The headline of the Myth revealed that 96% of the influx of tourists entering the pre-pandemic era has been recovered and the low season (August-September) is expected to surpass the records of 2019. Punta Cana Airport received 59% of arrivals in August 2021, the Americas 25%, Cibao 9%, Port Plata 4%, Romana 3% and Catey 0.3%.
The statistics presented by Mitur reflect that 63% of tourists entering in August 2021 had a US passport, And 73% of the total stayed in hotels. These generated $ 420 million in foreign exchange.
cruises
Last month, Mitur’s technical deputy minister, Jacqueline Mora, reported 25,643 tourists arrived by sea, 52% more than in July this year, in 22 operations. Of this total, 21,984 were cruisers in nine operations and seven three-line cruises, while 3,659 were passengers by ferry via Port Sansouci. Regarding the economic activity “Hotels, bars and restaurants”,
Collado added that sales of RD $ 5,265.5 million, purchases of RD $ 1,020.8 million and RD $ 1,591.8 million in tax payments were generated.
The head of Tourism projected that by September 2021 the arrival of tourists will be more than 19% compared to August. He estimated that from October to December 1,552,621 tourists will be received.
Asonahores and tip
The president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), Rafael Blanc Tejera, said that the legal tip has been established in the country for decades and is part of the remuneration of all employees.
He added that the dynamics of restaurants have varied due to a change due to the pandemic, e.g. casual and fast food now sell for between 50 and 60% delivery and “take out”, As people have seen more in the need to stay at home.
“So the tip is an important source for employees and their income which is what we are looking at with great concern and are analyzing internally,” said Blanco Tejera in participating in the presentation of the arrival statistics of tourists in RD in August 2021 by Ministry of Tourism (Mitur).
The head of Asonahores said that the entity he chairs, along with other restaurant associations, are reviewing with their lawyers the legal implications of the ruling.
previous communication
However, Asonahores issued a statement yesterday stating that it complied “immediately” with the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) which orders the suspension of the collection of 10% of the value of food as a tip established by the Labor Code, in the case of services offered at home or when the customer withdraws them.
The entity has added that this new criterion of the SCJ will impact the more than 40,000 collaborators of the sector of restaurants of country that will see diminished his income by concept of tips.
airspace
As of August 31, the Dominican Republic had received 4,284 commercial flights, according to Myth.
companies
These operations were through 111 airlines from 127 different airports and 49 countries.
occupation
With a total report of 515,489 passengers the occupancy of the aircraft of the month was 77%.
work places
During July 2021, Dominican formal employees amounted to 155,898 in the national tourism sector.