This year's winter season, the level of occupancy at Dominican Republic hotels and resorts is at 80 per cent, a high figure which will soon continue to grow. Hotels in the Dominican Republic are expected to fill completely just by next week, according to Arturo Villanueva, executive vice-president of National Hotels and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES). Villanueva affirms that 2011 has resulted in a very popular year for winter holidays in the Dominican Republic.


Image by : Zenith Overseas Investments, on Flickr

Most of the foreign travellers staying in Dominican Republic hotels these days come mainly from the United States and Canada, followed by Latin American and European holidaymakers. Only 5 per cent of hotel guests in the Dominican Republic are locals. The National Hotels and Tourism Association believe that cheap deals on Dominican Republic holidays are very appealing to worldwide holidaymakers, especially foreigners, who wish to spend a winter away from snow and chilly temperatures.

Arturo Villanueva, cited by the newspaper Hoy, said that hotels from Dominican Republic's East region lead in occupancy levels with around 90 per cent occupancy, while the other resort zones range between 70 and 75 per cent. These figures are higher than the ones reached in 2011 during the same period, and are a great sign of the growing tourism industry in the Dominican Republic.


Image by : Undiscovered Travel, on Flickr

According to the business leader, hotels in the popular regions of Bayahibe, La Romana, Bavaro, Punta Cana and Macao are expected to be at 100% occupancy by just next week, based on confirmed guest bookings and reservations. These hotels, aside from being located near the Dominican Republic´s most stunning beachfronts, are also filled with luxurious perks and wonderful facilities such as spas and gyms as well as a range of fantastic winter programmes filled with fun activities for the whole family.

For tourists looking to spend a different Christmas and New Year's season, away from the snow or cold, with dissimilar but tasty culinary traditions, Dominican Republic holidays are a wonderful option. The country´s resorts have become so popular in 2011 that compared with the same season last year, hotel occupancy this year will record an increase of around 5 per cent, according to the executive vice-president of ASANAHORES.


Image by : Matthew Bradford Photography, on Flickr

These excellent results in 2011 however, will not suffice the National Hotels and Tourism Association or the Dominican Republic tourism industry, as for next year, the ASANAHORES executive, Arturo Villanueva said that the country is trying to attract new markets, above all those which haven´t been badly affected by the global economic crisis.