Weekly Report - 19 June 2008 (ISSN 1741-7422)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | Tourism up. The number of tourists visiting the Dominican Republic in the first five months of 2008 was up by 7.17% on the previous year to 1.68m, according to the tourism ministry. Tourist arrivals grew by 9.78% in May with visitors from Canada and the US up by 21.19% and 12.86% respectively. The figures make pleasant reading for the government of President Leonel Fernández, who warned during his victory speech after the 16 May elections that the global economic slowdown and high fuel costs would impact growth, in part by deterring tourists. Fernández is working with key advisers to devise a “strategic plan" to try and mitigate the effects of rising food and fuel prices.