SANTO DOMINGO — The Dominican Republic’s leading tourism industry body is pressing public officials to reevaluate a series of recent increases to passenger transport fees, sounding the alarm that steadily climbing travel costs could erode the Caribbean nation’s standing as a competitive global tourism destination.
Speaking at the 2026 Americas Investment Forum, Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (known locally as Asonahores), outlined the sector’s growing concerns. Lendor noted that already, airfares for travel to and from the Dominican Republic lag behind those offered by peer destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America when it comes to price competitiveness. While each individual fee adjustment may seem small and insignificant on its own, Lendor warned that the compound cumulative effect of multiple hikes adds significant cost that could shift the decisions of budget-conscious international travelers when they select their next vacation spot.
The tourism sector is the backbone of the Dominican Republic’s national economy. Current data estimates that it contributes between 16% and 18% of the country’s total gross domestic product, and sustains more than 800,000 jobs across direct, indirect and induced categories. Lendor emphasized that he recognizes the government’s legitimate need to generate additional public revenue through fee adjustments. Even so, he stressed that regulatory bodies must conduct a thorough, data-driven assessment of how higher passenger charges will impact the country’s core tourism industry, which drives growth across nearly every other economic segment.
Asonahores is pushing for a full, comprehensive review of all existing taxes and fees tied to air travel to the Dominican Republic. The association says this broad review is a critical step to protect the nation’s reputation as an affordable, attractive getaway for international visitors and safeguard the long-term stability of its largest economic driver.