David Collado calls for higher hotel rates and tourist spending
Punta Cana.- Tourism Minister David Collado called for a new stage in the Dominican Republic’s tourism development focused not only on attracting more visitors, but also on raising hotel rates and increasing tourist spending so that the sector’s growth generates greater economic benefits for Dominicans, according to El Dinero.
Speaking at the Asonahores 2026 Trade Show in Punta Cana, Collado said the country has made significant progress in increasing visitor arrivals and should now prioritize raising the economic value generated by each tourist.
“We need to increase hotel rates. Tourist spending needs to be much higher,” Collado said, stressing that tourism growth should translate into more income and opportunities for the Dominican population. “What’s good for tourism and tourists has to be better for Dominicans,” he added.
The minister said this next phase must also be guided by sustainability and territorial planning, particularly in destinations experiencing rapid tourism and urban expansion. He identified Bávaro-Punta Cana, Samaná, Puerto Plata, La Romana and Bayahíbe as areas where stronger planning will be necessary.
Collado argued that the sector’s success should ultimately be measured not only by the number of tourists arriving in the country, but also by the economic impact of their visits and the extent to which tourism contributes to improving the income and opportunities of Dominicans.
His proposal places higher visitor spending, greater profitability, sustainability and territorial planning at the center of what he described as the next stage of Dominican tourism development.
Collado only cares about his rich buddies. Not the Dominican people! Raise hotel prices to make more profit for him and his buddies. Simple as that.
Take it easy! If Mexico becomes cheaper adios!
Raising hotel rates is tourism suicide. Tourists select the RD for the opportunity to receive the best benefits while touring on a tight budget. Higher hotel rates will steer prospective tourists away from the RD to other countries where they get more bang for their bucks. How can tourists increase their spending when consumer prices for just about anything is rising. Don’t know where Minister Collado is drawing his information? It could be suspect it is from information sources wanting to benefit in return for him stating under his name for what they desire.
I guess the tourism tax isn’t enough. At $125 per person even if you’re there for only 6 hours on a cruise isn’t enough. How many planes fly in daily? How many cruise ships come in daily? A ship with about 5000 Tourists. Do the math…that’s a lot of money coming in every day. DR should be like Wakanda by now, no?