The Dominican Republic is emerging as a strong property market prospect as Caribbean holiday bookings rise, a new report has stated.

Investment firm Macleesipps has noted a report by Hayes and Jarvis has identified an 800 per cent jump in such bookings in the country in the past year and suggested this will inevitably bolster the holiday rental market.

Investors seeking property in the Dominican Republic may be encouraged by this trend and Macleesipps managing director Gary McArd said: "The growth of tourism in the area has been staggering and this can only feed the appetite for investing in property that is excellent value for money."

He suggested the country is a "particular favourite" with Britons.

And the company noted the island has been nominated in 14 categories for this year's World Travel Awards.

International Living Magazine's Global Real Estate Index recently identified the Las Terrenas region of the country as a particularly strong project, with its assets including a recently-completed road linking it with the capital Santa Domingo with less than two hours driving time.