TORONTO — The D.R. is posting strong numbers this year, with Punta Cana leading the country in leisure tourism, welcoming 2.73 million international visitors in 2017. Top feeder cities were Toronto and Montreal, along with New York and Miami.

The Punta Cana region is also the leader in hotel occupancy with a consistent 85% occupancy rate. The D.R. as a whole is seeing an average occupancy rate of 80%, the highest it has been in 15 years. Punta Cana is followed by La Romana and Bayahibe with occupancy rates of 84%. An increasing number of visitors are using alternate lodging platforms, such as Airbnb, with approximately 25,000 properties, notes the tourism board.

With new flight options to the DR on Sunwing, Azur Air and Eurowings, hotel developments and renovations such as Casa de Campo’s new Minitas Beach Club, and new airport amenities – including a VIP lounge with outdoor pool at Punta Cana airport – the D.R. is ready to accommodate the steady increase of tourists, says the tourism board.

The country sustained little damage from both Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, and tourism operations were able to continue as normal.