The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector has achieved unprecedented growth, demonstrating remarkable resilience and economic vitality. According to Tourism Minister David Collado, the nation welcomed a staggering 10,284,251 visitors by November 30, 2025, representing a monumental 52% increase compared to the 6.7 million tourists received in 2019.
This explosive growth becomes even more significant considering the loss of approximately 600,000 annual visitors from Russia and Ukraine due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts. The sector has shown consistent upward trajectory with a 13% improvement over 2023 figures and a 3.1% increase compared to 2024 performance. The eastern region and numerous destinations nationwide are experiencing exceptional demand, with hotels reporting complete occupancy from December through April.
Air arrivals between January and November reached 7,884,421, marking a 3% increase over 2024 and a substantial 35% surge compared to 2019. Cruise tourism similarly flourished with 2,399,833 arrivals, also reflecting a 3% growth pattern. The visitor composition included 6,585,380 foreign tourists (+2%) and 1,299,041 Dominican nationals traveling with international passports (+8%).
Projections indicate the sector will conclude 2025 with approximately 11.7 million visitors and generate over US$12 billion in foreign exchange earnings. The tourism boom has created employment opportunities for more than 800,000 individuals across tourism, agriculture, and commerce sectors. The industry contributed US$16.781 billion to GDP and provided RD$73.6 billion in government revenue, funding essential services including education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.