Santo Domingo.- In the first eight months 3.2 million tourists came to the country, a growth of 7.25%, and 220,526 more than the same period last year.

 The figures from the Central Bank’s January-August tourist flow report says the growth stems from increases in non-resident foreigners (7.28%) and Dominicans 7.08%.

It said the joint efforts by the Tourism Ministry and the private sector led to tourism’s jump from January to August, through promotions and agreements with tour operators, travel agencies, airlines and participation in major international tourism fairs.

The Central Bank said in the first eight months total passenger arrivals in the country by air, including residents and non-residents grew 6.91% compared with the same period last year.

It adds that 3.5 million travelers entered through the various airports during that period, an increase of 231,756 passengers, compared with the same 2011period.