Dominican Republic Sees Record-Breaking Tourist Arrivals

The Dominican Republic has reported its highest-ever number of tourist arrivals for the month of July, signaling a robust recovery in its tourism sector. The country welcomed over 1 million visitors, driven by strong demand from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, this marks a 12% increase over July 2024 and a 25% jump from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The country attributes the surge to improved air connectivity, promotional campaigns, and expanded hotel capacity.

Popular destinations such as Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata saw near full occupancy, with many resorts reporting 95-100% bookings. The introduction of more direct flights from major cities has also boosted inbound travel.

Minister of Tourism David Collado highlighted the country’s efforts to maintain security, cleanliness, and infrastructure upgrades as key factors behind the success. He added that new investments in the pipeline could push numbers even higher in 2026.

The government also reported a rise in average tourist spending, up 8% from last year, as visitors engaged more in excursions, culinary experiences, and cultural tourism. The average stay has also increased to 7.2 nights.

The Dominican Republic continues to lead the Caribbean region in tourism growth and is positioning itself as a year-round destination for both leisure and MICE travelers. Experts expect this momentum to continue through the high winter season.