ARC: Dominican Republic flight refunds up 127 percent
Airlines Reporting Corp says Mexico and the rest of the Caribbean are reaping benefits from the Dominican Republic’s tourism crisis.
There has been a small upward swing in bookings to other destinations in the region as refunds increased for D.R. flights.
ARC data showed ticket refunds surged by127% for the period January 1, 2019 through June 23, 2019 compared to last year.
Flight bookings for the Dominican Republic made outside the US decreased by 28% in June, and refunds were up 8%.
ARC said air ticket purchases for other Caribbean destinations and Mexico rose 3% in the same period.
Dominican Republic tourism is facing its biggest crisis for years after scrutiny intensifies over the deaths of 13 Americans on vacation there in the past year.
This is despite claims by the tourism ministry that the deaths are not linked.
Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Schumer called for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to support the FBI and local law enforcement in their investigations into the deaths.
"Given that we still have a whole lot of questions and very few answers into just what, if anything, is cause for the recent spate of sicknesses and several deaths, the feds should double their efforts on helping get to the bottom of things," Schumer said in a statement.
There is still string suspicions that some of the deaths are down to the consumption of tainted alcohol.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025