•4.6 million people visited the Dominican Republic in 2012, 6.6% increase on 2011

•President sets goal of 10 million visitors by 2022 

•Chinese travellers targeted in aggressive marketing campaign 

Keen to tap into the 80 million Chinese who travel the world today, the Dominican Republic’s Tourism department has set out on an aggressive marketing campaign to make the idyllic Caribbean paradise into one of the Far East’s favourite destination.

Leading by example, President Danilo Medina personally welcomed two high profile Chinese families who were holidaying on the island to the National Palace recently as well instructing the production of an Asian orientated infomercial and fashion magazine spread.

Commenting on the island’s tourism successes and future plans, Robert Gavin, Director and Founding Partner of unique worldwide investment company Property Horizons, says,

“The Dominican Republic is a prime example of how, even in the midst of an economic downturn, it is possible to drive tourist growth. Promoting every diverse attraction the island has to offer, the Dominican Republic has worked hard to outpace not only global tourism growth (4%) but the Caribbean too (4.8%) recording the highest regional growth at 6.6% for the second year consecutively in 2012. And that’s not an easy feat!

“Carefully chosen as the location of our new ultimate lifestyle investment, the 5* Eco Beach Resort & Spa, the Dominican Republic is already highly popular tourism destination with US, Canadian and European visitors alike but now the word is spreading that it’s not only the perfect vacation but also property investment destination with buyers welcomed from near (Venezuela) and far (China).”

With an average annual temperature of 25 degrees, sun kissed beaches, a lush mountainous interior to explore as well a rich history, welcoming people and some of the most affordable real estate in the world, the Dominican Republic can indeed live up to its claim to ‘have it all’. An attractive Spring Break destination for North American snowbirds as well as a popular second home location for Europeans and Asian buyers, the island’s rental market is buoyant and properties are selling fast.

One resort development receiving plenty of interest is the 5* Eco Resort & Spa available through Property Horizons. Located on the north coast, the resort lies only 45 minutes from Gregorio Luperon International Airport Puerta Plata, with daily direct flights from the UK, Europe, Canada and the US.

The development has full town hall planning for 320 luxury properties (phase 1), ranging from luxury apartment suites to 5 bedroom bespoke detached villas. Solar power generation, recycling and fresh spring-fed water supply are some of the features that will contribute to the resorts eco credentials.

Amenities include restaurants, Champagne Bar, Spa Kitchen, 24-hour in-villa dining and service, Spa, Swimming Pools, Gym – fitness, steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis, tennis centre, horse riding, water sport centre with diving, wind surfing, sailing, entertainment centre and Helipad.

These luxury properties are available on a whole ownership or fractional ownership basis from USD $199,950. There is currently a 20% pre-launch discount, up to 9% annual returns during the construction phase, up to 10% rental guarantee for 2 years and a 50% revenue share at projected thereafter.

Property Horizons will be at the Property Investor Show at ExCeL London on 19 and 20 April 2013, where Robert Gavin will be speaking at the seminars. If you can’t wait until then, more information can be obtained by calling Property Horizons on +44 (0) 1908 888 999, visiting www.propertyhorizons.co.uk or contacting the team on info@propertyhorizons.co.uk.