A great year for tourism an even better 2015 expected

Madrid.- Dominican Republic added 4,000 hotel rooms last year, and repositioned its German, English and Spanish markets, Tourism minister Francisco Javier García revealed Wednesday, and expects an even better 2015.

To kick off the year Iberia said it will add flights to Dominican Republic from five to seven per week, on an agreement signed in Spain between Garcia and airline president Luis Gallego.

The official heads the Dominican delegation present at Madrid’s International Tourism Fair (Fitur 2015) until February, with 9,107 companies from 165 countries taking part.

The private sector features 25 national companies and entities such as the Hotels and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES), Casa de Campo, Domitur, Amhsa Marina and Dominican Airports (Aerodom), as well as the BHD, Reservas and Popular banks.

"We’re Europe’s largest and most established destination in the Caribbean. If 2014 was a good year, 2015 will be better," Garcia said at the Dominican stand.

The official said this year’s growth will include the conclusion of a cruise ship terminal near Puerto Plata, a refurbished Colonial Zone, and tax breaks from Law 158-01, adding that the high hotel occupancy throughout last year resulted from the additional more than 400,000 tourists who visited in 2014.