The Dominican Republic has all the credentials of a Caribbean paradise nation, including palm-fringed white sandy beaches and warm azure seas, yet it is the Republic government's policies designed to encourage investment that are helping this holiday hotspot to attract increased attention from international visitors.

The government and private sector are united in nurturing the tourism and real estate industries in the Dominican Republic as visitors and investors are fundamental drivers of the overall economy, which is why the destination is an increasingly enticing place for a holiday and holiday home investment.

With significant investment into everything from road infrastructure to the enhancement of amenities and facilities for lifestyle tourism, the attraction of the Dominican Republic is increasing annually, and this is being reflected in increased visitor numbers.

Not only has sustained investment led to a rise in tourist numbers, it has also supported increased investment interest in the Dominican Republic's property market. It was the nation's Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez who announced the 8 per cent increase in visitor numbers so far in 2008, and this has been backed up by statistics from the Central Bank suggesting that in the first four months of 2008 1.6 million visitors arrived to soak up the Dominican Republic's sunshine, an increase of almost 6 per cent year on year from 2007.

To further enhance the appeal of the nation, its accessibility and economic success, Jimenez has also just announced details of the Dominican Republic's 2008 - 2012 Tourism Plan. The plan is an outline for investment and it is designed to enable an increase in international visitors of around 170,000 visitors per year, generating 200 million dollars in annual revenue and reaching 5 million annual visitors by 2012. 

Supporting the 2008 - 2012 Tourism Plan is a significant drive to increase hotel bed capacity and also increase the amount of residential resort style real estate in the Dominican Republic. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that this period of intensive advancement in tourism will result in at least a 3.7 per cent annual increase in real GDP growth for the nation's travel and tourism economy over the next decade.

""For those seeking the ultimate property investment opportunity now could be the perfect time to invest into the undeniable potential that the Dominican Republic represents," says Steve Worboys, managing director of Experience  International. "Not only is the nation affordable and committed to maintaining its accessible status as one of the most reasonably priced Caribbean destinations, but millions of dollars of investment are going into everything from golf courses to marinas, from boutique-style shopping malls to spas and sports facilities."

One Dominican Republic development, Swaying Palms, offers investors 7 per cent annual rental guarantees and 20 per cent capital growth predicted per annum by the developer. Properties are available for sale with 50 per cent mortgages from $140,000 from Experience International.  

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Article first published 15 July 2008