The Dominican Republic’s tourism boom began in earnest in August 2020, in the midst of the reopening period during the pandemic.
At least, that’s the date Tourism Minister David Collard points out.
But when you look at the numbers, it’s hard to disagree.
A total of just under 32 million tourists have visited the country since August 2020, a sustained boom that far outpaces other Caribbean countries.
Even last month, one of the slower periods for tourism in the Caribbean than normal, air arrivals to the country totaled 811,192, up 2% compared to July 2023 and 37% compared to July 2019, before the pandemic began.
In an update this week, Collado said this is “exponential growth” and that it’s not just limited to its traditional stronghold of Punta Cana.
Thanks to targeted efforts, destinations such as Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and La Romana have seen significant increases in tourist numbers in recent years, a testament to their continued leadership in the region.
The only question is, what happens next?
The Dominican Republic’s Deputy Tourism Minister Jacqueline Mora told Caribbean Journal earlier this year that the country aims to reach 12 million total visitors by the end of 2024, combining cruise and air visits.
For now, the country appears to be on its way to achieving that.
CJ Expert Opinion: Anyone who has observed the Dominican Republic’s tourism efforts over the past five years will acknowledge that the country’s comprehensive approach to tourism has paid off in terms of both hotel development and overall tourism growth.
