MICE tourism drives higher spending and diversification in Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Visitors who travel to the Dominican Republic for meetings, conferences, conventions and other business events can spend up to three times more than traditional tourists, according to Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores).

Lendor explained that convention tourists generate a significant economic impact through spending on accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment and other services, making the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector particularly important for Santo Domingo.

Foreign non-resident visitors spent an average of US$179.48 per day in the Dominican Republic during the first half of 2026, according to Central Bank data. Based on the three-times-higher spending estimate cited by Lendor, MICE tourists could spend around US$538 per day.

Although there is no precise figure for the number of visitors arriving specifically for business events, Lendor estimated that they account for approximately 4% of the country’s total tourist arrivals. Between January and August, the Dominican Republic received 6,610,258 air visitors.

Speaking at the opening of SDQ MICE 2026, Lendor said the growth of convention tourism forms part of the industry’s efforts to diversify the country’s tourism offering beyond its traditional sun-and-beach model.

He noted that the sector is gaining strength in Santo Domingo, Santiago and several destinations in the eastern region, while generating new business opportunities and strengthening local supply chains.