The flow of tourists from Russia to the Dominican Republic has decreased

Winter Dominican Republic this season is sold in fact with no growth. At the same time, according to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, for 9 months of this year the tourist flow from Russia to this country showed a significant decrease - minus 27%. Thus, according to official statistics, the Dominican Republic topped the list of beach destinations with negative dynamics. However, operators do not notice a drop in demand.

As Alena Khitrova, the senior specialist of Anex Tour public relations department, told, the operator remained the last year’s total volumes to the Dominican Republic, but redistributed the flight program, reducing the number of flights from Moscow in favor of direct flights from Yekaterinburg and Kazan. “Earlier, none of the operators performed charters flights from these cities in the Dominican Republic. The event is significant, it confirms the trend of growing popularity of the destination in the regions. This winter season, we also fly directly from St. Petersburg. Programs from these cities to La Romana Airport are based on Azur air flights,” Ms. Khitrova explained.

Anna Podgornaya, the General Director of Pegas Touristik, also noted the steady demand for the Dominican Republic: “Tours are sold at last year’s level - both in winter and New Year’s periods. But for the period of the New Year holidays, demand is increased. This year’s flight program is practically unchanged.”

Experts connect the fall in the total tourist flow with the fact that other beach countries are competing with the Dominican Republic. For example, Vietnam, China, Thailand, where the flight takes less time and, accordingly, is cheaper. The market is also affected by the reduction of the flight program of leading tour operators to the Republic.

At the same time, Coral Travel has launched a charter program from Moscow to Punta Cana this year, and, as Marina Makarkova, the head of the company's public relations department, noted, the cost of the tours decreased and the demand increased.