Tourism fuels Dominican economy

Santo Domingo.- The tourism sector in the Dominican Republic has become a key driver of economic growth, generating approximately US$85,469 million in foreign exchange over the past 13 years. In 2023, the industry saw a 17% increase compared to 2022, highlighting its continued expansion. Tourism now accounts for 8.2% of the country’s GDP and represents more than 20% of its foreign currency income.

The Dominican Republic has evolved from a traditional economy to one where services, particularly tourism, are increasingly important. The country’s hotel infrastructure consists of 981 establishments with 87,723 rooms, concentrated mainly in six destinations. Bavaro-Punta Cana, located in La Altagracia province, leads with 60.26% of the rooms, followed by Puerto Plata, the National District, Samana, and San Pedro de Macoris.

The Dominican Republic aims to break its tourism record in 2024 by welcoming 11.5 million visitors, surpassing the 10.3 million who arrived in 2023. Punta Cana’s airport is the busiest, handling over 50% of international arrivals, with the José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport (Las Américas) receiving around 30%. This growth is linked to the concentration of hotel rooms in these regions, particularly in La Altagracia.