Santo Domingo—Yomaris Macdonald, Acting U.S. Consul General in the Dominican Republic, said the DR is a very safe tourist destination, which is why the number of visitors from the U.S. to the Caribbean island nation has grown in recent years.
He said the country is a great partner for the United States; in that sense, they are working together to improve security in tourist areas.
He said that last year, they carried out a series of trainings in Punta Cana, Santiago, Las Terrenas, and other areas, together with the Tourist Police (Politur) and the prosecutor’s office, with a view to working together to protect U.S. citizens who arrive in the Dominican Republic.
In addition, he recalled that in February, an agreement was signed with the U.S. Consulate in the country, Politur, and the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) to strengthen relations further and create a protocol for the management of possible events involving U.S. citizens, as well as the timely exchange of information between the different parties about U.S. tourists in the country.
He explained that the above is very important because, according to Hoy, Americans are getting out of hotels more and more and exploring the country on their own.
He cited that problems such as medical emergencies, petty theft, or scams can arise; this is one of the most common, primarily by dating apps.
Macdonald said that in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, there are offices to help Americans (not consular services, only emergency assistance).
It is recalled that the United States is the first country of origin of tourists to the Dominican Republic, with more than four million tourists each year.
In 2023, of the total number of non-resident tourists arriving in the country, Americans accounted for 47%, a growth of 22%. In March 2024 alone, the United States contributed 49 percent of tourists.