PUNTA CANA — New official figures through October confirm Punta Cana’s overwhelming role in Dominican tourism: of the 9,283,767 visitors who entered the Dominican Republic between January and October, 60% arrived via Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), underscoring the region’s central position in the country’s travel economy.
Key figures at a glance
- Total visitors (Jan–Oct): 9,283,767 (tourists and cruise passengers)
- Share via PUJ: 60%
- Economic contribution (value added): US$15,562 million
- Jobs supported: 815,000 direct and indirect positions nationwide
- New rooms under construction: 6,200 (majority in the East corridor)
- Rooms opened this year: 4,200; remainder expected by mid-2026
Economic ripple effects
The inflow of visitors is translating into sizeable economic activity concentrated around accommodation, ground transport, food and beverage, and excursions—most of which are centered in Punta Cana and Bávaro. The tourism sector’s reported US$15.56 billion in value-added activity highlights how arrival patterns are directly tied to local business performance and regional supply chains.
Employment and social impact
According to Tourism Ministry data, tourism sustains approximately 815,000 jobs across the nation. A large share of these positions are based in hotels, tourism services and ancillary sectors operating in the eastern corridor, reinforcing Punta Cana’s role as an employment engine for the Dominican economy.
Hotel growth and infrastructure pipeline
Hotel development is keeping pace with demand. Of the 6,200 rooms currently being built nationwide, thousands are concentrated in Punta Cana’s tourism corridor. With 4,200 new rooms already opened this year and the remainder slated to begin operations by mid-2026, industry planners anticipate further gains in capacity that should support larger visitor flows and longer stays.
Outlook and implications
Punta Cana’s dominant share of international and cruise arrivals consolidates its status as the country’s primary tourism hub. For hoteliers, transport providers and local businesses, the continued expansion represents both an opportunity and a challenge: meeting growing demand while maintaining service standards, environmental safeguards and community benefits will be essential as capacity increases.
For policymakers, the data underlines the need to balance infrastructure upgrades—airside and on the ground—with diversification strategies that spread tourism benefits more evenly across the country.
