Dominican tourism is currently in a very strong and successful position, superior to other countries in the Region, due to its rapid recovery after the pandemic.
Likewise, the diversification of Dominican tourism has led tourists from all over the world to get to know the country beyond “sun and beach.”
This was stated by the president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (wttc), julie simpsonwho attributes this success and diversification of Dominican tourism to the great union between the public-private sector.
“The Dominican Republic is receiving visitors from all over the world, from United States, Canada, Europe. They have leadership. I was in the Republic a few months ago and I got to know its president and the minister, and they really work hand in hand with the private sector, of course the two respect their different worlds, but I can say that the government of the Dominican Republic understands very well the value that sustainable tourism brings to his country,” he said.
Simpson highlighted that “the performents” of tourism in the Dominican Republic is really very strong, since in 2019 it represented some 16 billion dollars, almost 16% of the economy, according to Acento.
Citing the Annual Economic Impact Report (AND GO) of the WTTC, Simpson indicated that, by the end of 2022, the travel and services sector of the Dominican Republic reached 16.7 billion dollars. “We are looking at the end of last year, it already exceeded the numbers of 2019.”
The WTTC forecasts that, by the end of 2023, the tourism sector will contribute some 17.7 billion dollars. “Also, we look to the future in the next 10 years, and we are saying that by 2033 it will represent 25 billion dollars, so it is a sector that is growing very strongly.”
“It is true that the Dominican Republic is currently more successful than other parts of the Caribbean, in the sense that it is getting back to pre-pandemic numbers faster than other parts of the Caribbean,” he added.
In Simpson’s opinion, the country must continue with the strategy that is giving results. “The Dominican Republic is being very successful, first of all not losing what is making it successful, which is the great union between the private and public sectors.”
Regarding the diversification of Dominican tourism, Simpson said “there is a lot of diversity in the Republic, there is sun and beach which is very important because they are precious and beautiful, but the biodiversity, the people who want to do…, but there are also luxury trips and what they have done very well. In the DR there is a lot of variety, there are opportunities for each type of person, and that is very important”.
The president of the WTTC highlighted that beyond the beautiful beaches of the country, the Dominican Republic has a super interesting and important history, which she was able to appreciate. “When I was in its central city, I visited all its museums…history is very important, and there is also a lot of life in the city.”
Sipmson added that “Santo Domingo is a historic, beautiful city, which is being renovated in a very respectful way with history, some beautiful houses, some boutique hotels, a safe night life, really very well, also the history that It’s very interesting all over the island, so I enjoyed it.”
He also said that sports tourism is very important, as he noted that “there is a long tradition of sports in the country.”
During her visit to the country, the president of the WTTC toured some tourist spots in the country, especially in Punta Cana. “I was in Punta Cana, I saw how the corals are cared for there. He Puntacana Group It has a system to protect corals that, as you know, are affected by climate change. They are also working with local fishermen to protect the fish species.”
In this sense, Simpson praised the work done by the Puntacana Group, which has a scientific center, where they are growing coral “is truly something incredible.”
The executive highlighted that sustainability has a lot to do with work in the communities, and was able to see that many hoteliers in Punta Cana have contributed and supported their citizens, opening schools and centers for disabled children.
“I have seen it myself, they are helping people. They are building apartments and houses for workers in the sector. This is a very important part of the sustainability of the communities that are in the world of tourism”.
Julia Simpson understands that more coordination is needed between the countries of the region and to have a plan, which would give her better results.
“I always like to look at the Caribbean as a whole region. It is a region and of course, there is competition in the Caribbean, but I have always said that if the Caribbean could operate more like a region and have a plan, it would be more successful”, suggested the president of the WTTC.
In this sense, Simpson gave an example that if a regional airline operated in the region so that people could visit other Caribbean countries, this could greatly help domestic tourism in the region.
Simpson said that there are many people in the Caribbean who would like to visit the Dominican Republic, and right now it is very difficult to do this, since you have to go via the United States “and it’s a shame.”
In Simpson’s opinion, the Dominican Republic is currently in a leadership position and “I think it is very successful in everything, so it should continue doing what it is doing now, but one of the improvements for me would be, in some way, to have more movement within the Caribbean region, would need a regional line”.
He stressed that the Dominican Republic and Jamaica They are the two leaders in the region, and this airline is also a way to diversify tourism. “Formerly they received many visitors from Europe and less from the United States. Now there are more from the United States, and those from Europe return, but that is the ability to change the focus ”.
However, Simpson admires the country’s initiative to continue promoting the recovery of tourism, attracting travelers from South America, with a special interest in Brazilwithout ruling out Chili and Argentinian