PUNTA CANA, DR – A new year has begun in the Dominican Republic with the same shared wish echoing across homes, hotels, and resorts: that 2026 brings happiness, peace, and—above all—good health. Because without health, dreams and projects become that much harder to achieve, whether for the poorest, the wealthiest, or the growing middle class.
On the night of December 31, families across the country gathered around tables filled with food, affection, and tradition. There were kisses at midnight, warm hugs, and countless toasts—some small and intimate, others in big celebrations—each household celebrating the turn of the year according to its means. Tourists joined in as well, raising their glasses to new opportunities and the hope that their plans for 2026 will come to life.
Hotels Packed and Working at Full Capacity
Across the Dominican Republic, hotels welcomed tens of thousands of visitors who chose the country to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one. New Year’s Eve parties were held in ballrooms, on terraces, by the pool, and on the beach, with carefully prepared dinners, live shows, and fireworks lighting up the Caribbean sky.
Behind every celebration, an army of tourism professionals worked tirelessly:
- Waiters and bartenders
- Reception and front desk staff
- Drivers and tour guides
- Cooks, stewards, and cleaning teams
- Entertainment, security, and maintenance crews
Their goal was simple but demanding: to ensure that every guest—from Bayahibe to Uvero Alto—experienced an unforgettable start to the year.
For Tourism Workers, January 1 Is Not a Day Off
While much of the world slowed down for the holidays, for tourism workers December 31 and January 1 were just as busy as any other peak day. For them, the calendar date doesn’t change the level of responsibility.
Whether it’s January 12, June 6, or October 4, the reality is the same:
Tourism doesn’t stop. It doesn’t press pause. It doesn’t go on holiday.
During Christmas and New Year, it is arguably the most active and well-oiled industry in the country, and in many cases, practically the only one that doesn’t shut down. Hotels, resorts, excursion companies, and transport services stay fully operational so that thousands of visitors—many of whom closed their own businesses abroad for the holidays—can relax and enjoy their time in the Dominican Republic.
From Bayahibe to Uvero Alto: A Country in Service Mode
Throughout the eastern region, from Bayahibe to Uvero Alto, tourism activity never slept. The same was true in Miches and San Pedro de Macorís, as well as in the northern destinations of Puerto Plata and Samaná.
In every corner of the country where tourists chose to spend the end of the year, there was a professional, committed team working behind the scenes:
- Preparing buffets and special menus
- Coordinating airport transfers and excursions
- Decorating spaces for New Year’s Eve galas
- Managing check-ins, check-outs, and last-minute requests
- Ensuring safety, cleanliness, and comfort at all hours
Thanks to these efforts, visitors enjoyed the beaches, music, gastronomy, and hospitality that define the Dominican Republic—often without fully seeing the scale of coordination that makes their holiday experience seamless.
A New Year Built on the Work of an Entire Sector
As 2026 begins, the tourism sector once again proves why it is one of the key pillars of the Dominican economy. Its continuity during the festive season not only guarantees foreign exchange and employment, but also reinforces the country’s image as a reliable and welcoming destination, capable of operating at full capacity even when the rest of the world slows down.
While many celebrated, thousands of tourism workers stayed on their feet—serving drinks at midnight, checking in late flights, guiding families to their rooms, and making sure every detail was ready for the first sunrise of the year.
Their work is the invisible backbone of a New Year’s Eve that, for tourists, feels like a dream—and for the Dominican Republic, represents both a responsibility and an opportunity to shine once again before the eyes of the world.
