Dominican tourism is moving towards a more diverse and higher value offering

Dominican tourism continues to evolve towards a more diversified offering aimed at attracting visitors with greater spending power, driven by the arrival of luxury hotel brands, the growth of new destinations, and the development of segments such as nautical, sports, gastronomic, and business tourism.

This was the view of Juan Bancalari, president of the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), who highlighted that the growth of the sector is not only reflected in the number of visitors that the Dominican Republic receives, but also in a progressive transformation of the quality of the offer and the profile of the tourist.

” Statistics are published every month and show sustained growth, practically breaking records,” Bancalari said, referring to the performance of the tourism industry.

From budget tourism to a higher-end offering

Bancalari argued that over the last few decades, the Dominican Republic has undergone a significant transformation in its tourism model.

He recalled that some 30 years ago, the supply was mainly concentrated on low-cost “all-inclusive” packages, while currently the country has establishments and experiences aimed at higher-income segments.

The presence of major international hotel brands and the development of luxury resorts are, in his opinion, evidence of this evolution.

“Today we have top-tier hotels and rooms that can reach prices of $1,000 and even $2,000. That raises the overall average tourist spending, although budget tourism continues to be an important part of the industry,” he said.

The business leader pointed out that activities such as golf, sailing, and other sports also contribute to increasing the average spending of visitors.

Furthermore, he highlighted a change in tourist behavior, as tourists no longer stay exclusively in hotel complexes.

” Tourists are going out to restaurants more and looking for other experiences, which generates additional spending. That’s why it’s important to continue strengthening the gastronomic offering,” he said.

An increasingly diversified tourist map

For Bancalari, one of the main attributes of the Dominican Republic is the diversity of experiences its various tourist destinations offer.

Each region of the country, he explained, has particular characteristics that allow it to attract different market segments.

In Puerto Plata, for example, he highlighted the growth of cruise tourism, which has become one of the main drivers of the province’s economic activity. He also mentioned the expectations generated by the Punta Bergantín project and its potential to further boost hotel and real estate development in the area.

Cabrera, for its part, is emerging as a destination linked to luxury tourism and high-value properties, while Samaná combines a wide range of natural resources, including beaches, waterfalls, humpback whale watching, and protected areas that strengthen its potential for ecotourism.

Bancalari also highlighted the development of real estate and hotel activity in this province, as well as investments related to maritime and cruise tourism.

Miches: the rapid emergence of a new tourist destination

One of the destinations that, according to the president of Asonahores, has experienced one of the most rapid transformations is Miches.

The businessman recalled that before the 2020 pandemic, this municipality had a limited presence on the national tourism map. However, in just a few years, it began to attract significant investment and the construction of high-end hotels.

Currently, the destination has several tourist establishments and is undergoing rapid expansionprocess .

” Miches is a phenomenon. A few years ago it practically didn’t exist as a tourist destination, and now it has enormous growth, with top-notch hotels and new investments in development,” he stated.

The area’s beaches and natural features, along with luxury tourism projects, have made Miches one of the country’s leading emerging destinations.

Punta Cana maintains its leadership

Despite the emergence of new tourist destinations, Bávaro-Punta Cana remains the main hub of the Dominican tourism industry.

The area concentrates a significant share of the national hotel supply and has developed a wide variety of activities, including beach tourism, golf, sports, and nautical experiences.

Bancalari highlighted the celebration of international sporting events as an important element in promoting the destination and the country.

He also noted that the growth of Punta Cana has allowed for the development of a broader complementary offering of restaurants, recreational activities, and other services.

“When a destination has a good offering of beaches, golf, sailing and gastronomy, it generates a multiplier effect and attracts new investments,” he said.

The businessman recalled the transformation Punta Cana underwent over the past decades, from a small community with limited tourist infrastructure to an internationally recognized destination.

La Altagracia seeks to expand its offerings beyond hotels

The tourism development of Punta Cana also presents the challenge of extending the benefits of the activity to other communities in the province of La Altagracia .

Bancalari believes that towns like Higüey and Boca de Yuma can be more strongly integrated into the tourism sector, but points out that each community must develop its own products and attractions.

In his opinion, it is not enough to improve connectivity between Punta Cana and other municipalities.

“There have to be attractions. Higüey, for example, has the Basilica, which represents an important cultural element, but each community must use its creativity and develop its own offering,” he stated.

This diversification would allow visitors arriving in Punta Cana to explore more of La Altagracia and generate a greater economic impact on the communities.

Infrastructure and land-use planning: the major challenges

The rapid growth in tourism has also generated new challenges, especially in terms of infrastructure and land-use planning.

Bancalari considered it essential to continue investing in highways, improve internal roads, and develop solutions that reduce traffic congestion in the fastest-growing areas.

Among the problems identified, he mentioned the increase in traffic on some roads in Verón-Punta Cana and on the routes connecting the airport with other tourist destinations.

“After an eight- or nine-hour flight, being stuck in a traffic jam is not a pleasant experience for any visitor,” he said.

The president of Asonahores insisted that land-use planning and infrastructure investment must accompany tourism development to ensure its sustainability.

For the businessman, the growth of the industry generates new opportunities for investment and development, but it also obliges the country to respond with adequate planning.

” Growth brings growth and brings investment, but it is important to work on infrastructure and sustainability so that this development can be maintained over time,” he concluded.