Santo Domingo.- In the first two months of 2025, the General Directorate of Internal Revenue (DGII) collected RD$1.015 million from the US$10 tourist card fee, marking a 3.4% increase from the RD$982.2 million collected in the same period last year. February alone contributed RD$569.1 million, a 1.1% rise compared to RD$562.6 million in 2024. January, benefiting from high visitor influx during holiday celebrations, saw a 6.4% increase, reaching RD$446.4 million. Despite this growth, total collections fell 5.5% short of the RD$1.074 million projected.
One factor affecting collections is the growing number of non-resident Dominicans requesting refunds of the tax, according to Civil Aviation Board (JAC) President Héctor Porcella. Airlines still collect the fee from all passengers, pending a ruling from the Superior Administrative Court on the airlines’ legal challenge. Porcella emphasized that authorities continue seeking a mechanism to exempt Dominicans from the fee while ensuring consistent revenue. Additionally, recent agreements eliminating visa requirements for travelers from Colombia, Jamaica, and Peru may contribute to future revenue increases, as these visitors will now be subject to the tourist card tax.
