Asonahores credits incentives for tourism growth

Santo Domingo.- The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) marked its 62nd anniversary with a panel discussion titled “Past, Present, and Future of Tourism in the Dominican Republic.” The event underscored the critical role that incentives have played in the development of the tourism industry.

President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado led the event, emphasizing the capacity of the country’s diverse tourist destinations to attract visitors, generate foreign currency, and promote economic growth across various provinces and regions.

David Llibre, President of Asonahores, highlighted the tourism sector’s commitment to developing the national productive chain through initiatives and collaborations with other business associations. He noted that in 2022, the hotel sector’s total purchases amounted to 139,000 million pesos, with significant contributions to agriculture (6,700 million pesos), industry and construction (28,200 million pesos), and services (104,000 million pesos).

Asonahores reported a significant growth of 361% in foreign direct investment in tourism from 2013 to 2023, totaling US$8,732 million. In 2023 alone, investment reached US$1,182 million. The tourism industry contributed approximately US$22,000 million to the Dominican Republic’s GDP in 2022, accounting for 19% of the GDP. It also generates 10% of the country’s tax revenue and 18% of total employment, providing around 721,912 jobs. The sector is a major source of foreign currency, with hotel guests spending an average of $139.19 daily and cruise passengers $116.30.

Asonahores aims to attract 15 million tourists by 2030, requiring the expansion of hotel rooms, enhanced air connectivity, and the development of new tourist centers. These initiatives include the relaunch of Puerto Plata with the new Bergantín project and the development of Cabo Rojo in Pedernales, along with the ongoing promotion of Miches and Samaná. Asonahores believes that the current competitive structure will support continued investment, job creation, foreign currency generation, and the economic revitalization of other sectors in the country.