August saw an increase of 12.8 percent in foreign tourists in the Dominican Republic compared to August 2013, the country announced on Sunday. Most of the tourists came from the United States.

Local authorities said that that the increase is a new record "for the sector," as reported by EFE.

According to the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Tourism, 424,715 tourists came to the country in August. Since the beginning of this year, over 3.6 million tourists who do no reside in the Dominican Republic arrived.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism said that in August 2013, 301,397 foreign tourists arrived in the Dominican Republic, which is "a 9.1 percent hike over the same period a year before," EFE reports.

"That growth is another record that we have achieved this year, where we have an average overall growth of 9 percent, when the growth projected by the World Tourism Organization for this year oscillates between three and four percent," the entity said in a communique.

Interestingly enough, it is mostly travelers form the U.S. who are visiting the Caribbean destination. In Aug. 2014, 16.1 percent more Americans went to the country -- a total of 173,525 travelers -- than in Aug. 2013.

Following U.S. travelers were those from Canada, who totaled 32,608 at a 14.2 percent increase.

The Ministry of Tourism also noted a large number of travelers from France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Puerto Rico, Argentina, England and Brazil. Exact numbers were not provided, however.

According to the ministry, the increase in tourists is a result of a decent economy and successful campaigning.

Recently, both The Huffington Post U.K. and AOL U.K. named the Dominican Republic as the latest travel hot spot.

"Whether you want to practise your golf swing, go birdwatching in the forest or spend your days reading by the glittering ocean, this is the place to be," AOL U.K. reported.

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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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