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Santo Domingo.- The tourism sector in the Dominican Republic has become a key driver of economic growth, generating approximately US$85,469 million in foreign currency over the last 13 years. In 2023, the industry saw a 17% increase compared to 2022, highlighting its continued expansion. Tourism currently represents 8.2% of the country's GDP and represents more than 20% of its foreign exchange earnings.
The Dominican Republic has evolved from a traditional economy to one where services, particularly tourism, are increasingly important. The country's hotel infrastructure is made up of 981 establishments with 87,723 rooms, concentrated mainly in six destinations. Bávaro-Punta Cana, located in the La Altagracia province, leads with 60.26% of the rooms, followed by Puerto Plata, the National District, Samaná and San Pedro de Macorís.
The Dominican Republic aspires to break its tourism record in 2024 by receiving 11.5 million visitors, exceeding the 10.3 million that arrived in 2023. Punta Cana airport is the busiest and serves more than 50% of international arrivals , with the José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport (Las Américas) receiving around 30%. This growth is linked to the concentration of hotel rooms in these regions, particularly in La Altagracia.
