Dominica visitor arrivals for the first half of 2019
June 30 marked the end of a successful first half for Stayover Arrivals to Dominica. In keeping up with the trend and momentum which started in the last quarter of 2018, stayover arrivals continued to show major improvements throughout the first half of 2019.
Total visitor arrivals for the first six months of the year surpassed corresponding periods in recent years both pre and post-Hurricane Maria. Preliminary numbers indicate that stayover arrivals for the period totaled 43,774, representing a 67% increase over the same period in 2018 (26,265). This performance also reflects an 8% and 24% increase over corresponding periods in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Arrivals for the first quarter (23,443) increased 87% over the corresponding period in 2018, and 11% and 18% over 2017 and 2016 respectively. In the second quarter of April to June, arrivals of 20,331 represented an increase of 48% over 2018; and 4% and 31% over 2017 and 2016 respectively.
The highest number of arrivals within the period was recorded in March (9,738) where we also saw the highest percentage growth over corresponding periods in previous years. This performance was driven by arrivals for Carnival 2019.
All major source markets showed signs of recovery with increases in arrivals over 2018. More significantly, the Caribbean market overall: driven by arrivals from the French West Indies and the Commonwealth Caribbean, showed growth over 2018, 2017, and 2016. The Caribbean region accounted for 60% of stayovers arrivals within the six-month period.
The current trend indicates a positive outlook for the upcoming months. As the tourism industry continues to evolve and develop, this trend is expected to continue, bolstered by targeted marketing promotions; the expansion of hotel product offerings and continuous stakeholder training and engagement.
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