BERLIN.- Dominican Republic’s tourism industry’s weathered the 2009 crisis with a 0.32 percent growth in arrivals while 2010 appears "promising for tourism" by promoting the "Dominicans’ good nature."

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia said today in Berlin’s International Tourism Bourse (ITB) that as far as tourism Dominican Republic is "the Caribbean region’s leader," and "we want to keep it that way."

He said the number of visitors to Dominican Republic in the first month rose 5.85 percent than the same month last year. "They are more than good figures for tourism, in the days of crisis, when many foreign companies risked investing in the sector within Dominican borders.”

Garcia said the Government also made efforts and established plans to build infrastructure in the major tourist regions to contribute to the sector’s development.

He cited the five months of work so far on the Coral Highway, to link Punta Cana with Santo Domingo, while work continues on the Tourist Boulevard of the Atlantic, to link Samaná with different towns along the Atlantic coast.

The official also noted the work to improve and pave roadways in Punta Cana, Bavaro Beach, Puerto Plata and Boca Chica.

“After having met with European and Canadian tour operators and diverse hotel chains, all agree that 2010 will be a promissory year for the Republic," Garcia said.