Expedia, one of the largest Internet travel selling companies in the world, announced that 2014 was an exceptional year for the Dominican Republic, which recorded a 45% increase in travel demand over the previous year.
Additionally, the tourist area of Punta Cana, on the eastern end of the country, was the most productive market last year in the Caribbean region, with over 50% growth in travel demand; while the capital Santo Domingo is ranked among the top ten markets in the region.
“With a lot of available flights, a wide choice of hotels and a sunny climate all year round, the Dominican Republic has been a constant leader of the demand for travel and has been recognized as one of the most demanded destinations in the Caribbean for travelers from major markets, including the US, UK and Canada,” says Demetrius Canton, director of Expedia Accommodation Service for the Caribbean.
The Expedia group also announced an increase of more than 60% of total demand generated for the Dominican Republic through mobile devices in 2014 compared with the previous year.
Expedia market management team will assist the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), the main Dominican tourism fair to be held from 28 to 30 April in Punta Cana. In early 2015, Expedia group strengthened its presence in the Dominican Republic by opening its first local offices in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.
With a team of experts in market management, local offices offer expert advice to hotel partners to improve their marketing strategies.
“As demand continues to grow, both for the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region, the competition between hoteliers will also increase. Expedia is keen on providing its partners the ability to excel with the primary objective of generating income and maximum visibility to new audiences relevant to the destination,” states Miriam Hernandez, Expedia’s Area Manager for the Caribbean.
Expedia plans to continue adding more properties to its portfolio in 2015, with an additional 150 hotels contracted in 2014 in the Dominican Republic and the region. By working with Expedia group, hotels in the Dominican Republic gain exposure in more than 150 websites in over 70 countries worldwide.
