Although the tourism sector began to recover in July 2020 due to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the arrival of tourists did not achieve throughout the year the growth trend that since for years he had been exhibiting the industry without chimneys.
According to Central Bank statistics, for the year 2020 the arrival of non-resident visitors to the country was 2,405,315 tourists, A year-on-year variation of -62.7%, of which 1,699,194 are foreigners and 706,121 are non-resident Dominicans.
However, at the end of 2019, 6,446,036 non-resident passengers entered the Dominican nation, which at that time accounted for 17% of all visitors to the Caribbean and Central America, positioning the country as a leader in this region.
Due to the closure of national borders by air, sea and land between March and June 2020, as a measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the year-on-year flow of passengers in the second quarter of 2020 was zero (-100.0%).
Thanks to the reopening of airports in July 2020, according to the Central Bank, tourism was recovering and a sign of this is that only in the period July-December 1,011,224 tourists were received.
“To get an idea of the magnitude of the improvement experienced so far, if we take into account the figures for December 2020, the arrival of non-resident visitors (foreigners and Dominicans) reached 348,464 tourists, representing 55.8% of the total number of non-resident visitors who arrived in the country in December 2019, “said a report from the Central Bank sent to the media on Thursday afternoon.
The financial institution adds that this is a significant advance, as in July 2020 135,163 visitors arrived in the country, for a proportion of 22.9% compared to the same month in 2019.
Recovery plan
This improvement, according to the Central Bank, is on display thanks to the Responsible Recovery Plan for Tourism which is being pushed by the Dominican Government in conjunction with the private sector, which is considering measures to promote the country as a safe holiday destination and promote the Country Brand.
The Government implemented the economic incentive package for the sector which includes a investment program of more than RD $ 420 million, The temporary elimination of the advance payment for six months and the payment of the asset tax until June 2021, as well as the reduction of the Advance Price Agreement rate to 35% between September and November of 2020.
The plan also includes internationally certified health safety protocols to be followed by tourism companies and travelers entering the country, basic health insurance in the event of being affected by the coronavirus during their stay, among others.