All over 2 million Americans travel to the Dominican Republic every year, but following a number of mysterious deaths on the island, trippers are rethinking whether they want to travel there.
So far nine Americans have died in the Dominican Republic in the keep on year and dozens more have reported illnesses, raising concerns about the safety and security of travelers.
Tourism officials on the islet say as of now the cases are isolated events, but reports suggest tainted alcohol could be the culprit.
The FBI in conjunction with local authorities are considering the deaths, however results are not expected for weeks.
With so many unanswered questions, travelers are thinking twice in their summer getaway to the Caribbean nation.
“We have a survey out in the field…the early signs are that demand has been reduced somewhat…how long it lasts is really going to be up to the Dominican Republic government and the result of the FBI investigation,” Zane Kirby, president of the American People of Travel Advisors (ASTA) told CNBC.
According to a new survey conducted by ASTA, nearly 60% of travel advisors take cancelled trips for U.S. clients to the Dominican Republic in the last week.
Data from Forward Keys, which analyzes onto 17 million flight bookings a day, paints a similar picture, with flight cancellations up 45% in the first half of June beared to the same period last year.
Analysts at SunTrust expect the decline in tourism to have a negative impact on players like Playa Hotels and Resorts which has roughly 20% exposure to the island. It operates five resorts and is outlining to open two new properties on the island.
“It is difficult to precisely quantify the financial impact on PLYA [Playa Hotels] but we have lavish certainty it will negatively impact visitation to the DR,” said Patrick Scholes, managing director, lodging and leisure justice research at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey to clients in a note.
As hotels await the results of the investigation, some are making switches to assure guests they are taking a proactive approach. Hard Rock Hotels said it is removing liquor dispensers from visitor rooms. Alcoholic beverages will still be available 24 hours a day, the company said.
“All of the alcohol on property intent continue to be brand name and sourced from the U.S., with the exception of a Dominican Republic specialty, Mama Juana, and local beer, Presidente, that we announce to support our community,” the company said.
Cruise operators Carnival and Royal Caribbean, both of which have pull ups in the Dominican Republic, told CNBC they are monitoring the recent events and reviewing the information from the State Turn on.
The U.S. State Department currently has the Dominican Republic at a Level 2 out of 4 in its Travel Advisory system.
On Thursday, Congressman from New Jersey Open Pallone penned a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and FBI Director Christopher Wray urging the State Reckon on to reassess its travel advisory.
“I’m extremely saddened by the deaths of 9 Americans in the Dominican Republic. One of the victims was from my district in New Jersey,” Pallone tweeted to his pupils.
Online travel platform BookIt.com said while it has seen an increase in cancellations to the Dominican Republic, many of its patrons have rebooked trips to other Caribbean islands and Mexico.
“For our travelers that have decided to change their vacation envisages, we are seeing an uptick into Jamaica, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and other smaller Caribbean islands. In addition, Cancun has waxed its share of our all-inclusive business,” said Bud Finlaw, CEO of BookIt.com, told CNBC over email.
Experts say this thing is likely to continue.
“When incidents arise such as this they do tend to ask more questions and be more discreet about where they travel,” Kirby said. “So we have seen some cancellation and rebooking to islands in the Caribbean, in particular Puerto Rico and other destinations that might have a safer reputation than the Dominican is experiencing right-wing now.”