German tourism has fallen more than 50%

[batich]

Originally Posted by Tuan

Batich: "I can't imagine a more sexually deprived person on earth than the NA male ... am I wrong?"

Yes, you are wrong. You forgot to consider the NA female....

No, I do not forget about them. But this is DR forum, not NA.

Anyway I personally know some gringas in their 40s and older who live in Sosua area without any cultural or social life, without having families, without decent infrastructure and without decent healthcare for one reason only - excellent athletic muscle hard-bodied 25 y.o. sunkies from El Gymnasio or from watchimen. Sex addiction is the healthiest addiction of all.

[KeithF]

Originally Posted by IslandDreaming

Left feet

The German economy is doing quite well, in fact their currency (Euro) is at historic highs against the USD and they are traveling in great numbers to the USA

I think the Peso is pretty much "dollar based" so I would think the Euro would receive a very favorable exchange and make it cheap for German tourists to visit the DR?

With respect, that's too simplistic. The Euro has indeed strengthened against the dollar but the German economy has been weakened by joining the Euro. At the same time as the stronger economies in Europe were supporting the weaker ones (leading, for example, to massive growth in Ireland etc) they were also in and out of recession. This has been the case for well over a decade now. Statistics from 2003 showed that half a million less people were employed in Germany then than in 2002. BBC NEWS | Business | Germany on brink of recession

The Dom Rep became more expensive for German tourists at the same time as German tourists had to start spending less money. The German economy has just begun to sort itself out (slightly) over the last 12 months (although still doubtful that it is a full recovery). But it's too late. Once people find 'somewhere new' to go, it takes a lot to get them back.

German holiday makers & property owners in Spain are down over the last decade too.

The Dominican Republic remains one of the fastest growing destinations for British holiday makers.

[mountainfrog]

Originally Posted by laurapasinifan

....the german ambassador ...He helps the cause by making the remarks in a manner that will draw attention to the remedies, which is the goal anyway.

Whose goal?
I have yet to see that criticism, though well founded it may be, is seen as a constructive element by Dominicans.

Listín Diario Digital - El periódico de los dominicanos

Listín Diario Digital - El periódico de los dominicanos

Listín Diario Digital - El periódico de los dominicanos

m'frog

[Ken]

The headline of the Listin Diario indicates the criticism was not well received.

Foreigners going to another country and criticizing normally are not, no matter which country it is.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by batich

That in all other aspects DR cannot compete with places like Antalia, Hurgada, Sousse, Limassol and Slunchev Briag.

Boy, that's a relief!

[Rocky]

Ken & KeithF's explanations are closest to explaining the decline.
Eddy actually touched on a factor that did play a role.
It's a combination of many factors, but the predominant and major factor is what Ken describes.
KeithF''s economic input, confirms the economic reasons.
And Eddy's "chica thing" has a lot to do with it, when it comes to single travelers.

As it's far for Germans to fly here, and prices rise, it is getting near impossible to offer a competitive AI vacation to them, while the North Americans are a lot closer, and we all know that the Americans have been catching onto the DR in the last 6 or 7 years, filling the void left from the declining Germans.

[gjsuk]

Originally Posted by KeithF

The Dominican Republic remains one of the fastest growing destinations for British holiday makers.

Sorry mate but have a look at the ABTA travel trends report (2005 is the last year available...2006 data not yet processed...you'll have to google it, I have a copy but it's too big to attach here) as it directly contradicts your statement

The DR is most certainly NOT on UK travellers "radar screens", in fact the DR does NOT even merit a mention anywhere in the report. A damning indictment indeed.

[xamaicano]

Well, the point I was trying to make was that Germans tend to be more economical when it comes to tourism as oppose to Americans who spend less time (less vacation) and spend more money. I find myself spending less money per day on longer vacation and I have gotten some great deals from a German friend. As far as sex tourist comment, Germans have the worst reputation as sex tourist. If quite a few places they have the reputation of being the biggest pedophiles.

Originally Posted by batich

For most of those american tourists going to DR is the only opportunity to have sex.

Germans are allowed to have plenty of sex in their country so they can look beyond this basic instinct.

[xamaicano]

Originally Posted by Rocky

As it's far for Germans to fly here, and prices rise, it is getting near impossible to offer a competitive AI vacation to them, while the North Americans are a lot closer, and we all know that the Americans have been catching onto the DR in the last 6 or 7 years, filling the void left from the declining Germans.

It is a simple as that. Good, bad or indifferent, once a tourist destination starts being attractiveto Americans it becomes less so for some Europeans. Americans tend to spend more because they spend less time on vacation. Which one of the reasons I tend to go places frequented by Europeans. A lot cheaper.

[PlantaFULL]

Perhaps the explanation is much simpler. Look at the massive development of AI resorts in Cuba over the last years. Picture what will happen when Cuba "opens" to Americans... Major decline of American tourism in DR maybe the headline. Back in the 90's the DR was the hotspot for cheap AI tourism, nowadays there are more options for that.

And as far as booking AI goes and leaving the wallet at home. Thats the whole idea of AI, isn't it? Some can say no you have to buy souvenirs and tip everyone, but I am sure for many people AI means just that, ALL inclusive, no extra money required. If thats not the case they shouldn't call it AI to begin with.