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Dominica bounces back after Hurricane Maria devastation
Dominica says it has bounced back after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, with a 321% year-on-year increase in overall visitor arrivals for the first half of 2019.
Overnight stays for the six-month period totalled 43,774, representing a 66.7% increase over the same period in 2018.
Cruise visitors to Dominica increased by 760% over 2018, supported by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which launched a 14-day volunteering cruise allowing passengers help to restore the islands hiking trails.
Director of tourism Colin Piper said: "We are delighted to see the island bouncing back and seeing a huge increase in overall visitor arrivals.
"What gives us greater satisfaction is the 7.9% increase we have experienced over the first half of 2017s figures, which was pre-Hurricane Maria.
"We predict this will continue to increase for the rest of 2019 and into 2020 with the opening of new luxury hotels including Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, Kempinski Cabrits Resort and Spa and Anichi Resort and Spa."
The UK arrivals accounted for 28% of the overall increase on 2018 and this number is expected to increase with the addition of 10 hotels to Funway Holidays’ 2019/2020 programme.
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Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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