Punta Cana.- The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) announced that tourism contributes approximately 10% of the government’s tax revenues, generating over RD$155,000 million in taxes in 2022. These remarks were made during the opening of the XXXVI Commercial Exhibition at Blue Mall Punta Cana, attended by Vice President Raquel Peña, Minister of Tourism David Collado, and Asonahores’ business community.
David Llibre, president of Asonahores, emphasized that for every peso the government exempts from tourism taxes, the sector generates 12 pesos through its interconnected productive chain, which includes purchasing goods and services totaling RD$139,000 million. He urged the government to enhance the current tax structure to attract investments while continuing to support the tourism industry.
Llibre also highlighted that the Dominican tourism sector is a significant source of foreign direct investment, accounting for about 30% of the country’s foreign currency earnings, which helps maintain exchange rate stability. To attract an additional two million visitors, he noted that $5,000 million in foreign investment is needed, achievable only with supportive legislation.