At the 2026 Miami International Tourism Tradeshow, a top Dominican aviation official has underscored the irreplaceable role of air transport in powering the Caribbean nation’s thriving tourism and broader economic landscape. The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) has released new data showing that nearly 98 percent — 97.8% to be precise — of all international tourists entering the Dominican Republic reach the country via commercial air travel, a statistic that paints a clear picture of aviation’s centrality to the national economy.
IDAC Director General Igor Rodríguez Durán, who presented the findings during the industry event, emphasized that this overwhelming dependence on air connectivity confirms the strategic priority of expanding and improving air access for the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector. For a small island nation heavily reliant on international visitor spending, robust air links are not just an infrastructure convenience — they are a foundational driver of growth, job creation, and global visibility.
Rodríguez noted that participation in major global tradeshows like the 2026 Miami event is a direct investment in advancing that strategic goal. The gathering brings together key players from across the global tourism and aviation ecosystems, including senior airline executives, leading international tour operators, and other major industry stakeholders, creating a critical space for relationship-building and collaboration. By engaging with these partners directly, the Dominican government aims to strengthen existing air routes, attract new direct flight connections, and solidify the country’s standing as one of the most competitive, accessible, and attractive travel destinations in the entire Caribbean region.