SANTO DOMINGO — The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, one of the nation’s largest economic engines, has pushed back against recent criticism over foreign hiring practices by releasing new data showing that over 90 percent of all hotel industry employees across the country are Dominican citizens. Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of the Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), outlined the figures in a recent public address, emphasizing that Dominican workers hold roles at every level of the sector — from frontline operational positions to senior management teams.
Beyond addressing hiring debates, Lendor detailed the sweeping economic and employment impact of tourism across the Dominican Republic. The sector currently supports more than 800,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs throughout the country, accounting for a substantial share of the nation’s total employment. Social Security contribution payments from tourism businesses also saw an 18 percent year-over-year increase recently, climbing to nearly 11 billion Dominican pesos (RD$), a gain that reflects both growing sector activity and expanded formal employment.
Even with the high local employment rate, Lendor confirmed that tourism businesses across the country still have hundreds of open roles, particularly for skilled technical positions including electricians, plumbers, and maintenance specialists. To connect unemployed and underemployed Dominican workers with these opportunities, Asonahores maintains a dedicated national job bank that matches job seekers with open positions at hotels, resorts, and other tourism establishments across the country’s top travel destinations.
The economic benefits of the sector extend far beyond direct employment, Lendor added. Forecasts for 2025 show the sector is on track to generate roughly RD$220 billion in local economic activity and domestic purchases. More than 80 percent of all food, supplies, and services consumed by hotels and resorts are sourced from domestic Dominican businesses, creating spillover benefits for local restaurants, transportation providers, independent tour guides, agricultural suppliers, and small businesses across every major tourism region. This high local sourcing rate locks in additional economic growth that would otherwise leave the country, strengthening local communities and supporting broad-based economic development.