Santo Domingo, DR. – The Dominican Republic marked World Tourism Day by celebrating its industry successes and simultaneously addressing the challenges it needs to overcome to achieve the desired competitiveness and sustain its growth.
The main event to commemorate this global travel and tourism day involved a Eucharist gathering with a special attendance of the Minister of Tourism, David Collado and the president of Dominican Republic Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), David Llibre.
The thanksgiving mass at noon on Friday in the San Miguel Arcángel Parish Church of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo was led by the Franquelys Rodríguez. He emphasized the industry’s crucial role in the Dominican Republic and urged people to safeguard and “coexist with tourism.”
According to the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, the Dominican Republic shattered all records in the sector, making it a peaceful celebration day because the political class of this nation have matured and recognized the significance of social tranquility.
Asonahores rejoices but voices its concerns
World Tourism Day, according to David Llibre, comes at a favourable time because all conditions are in place for sustaining the growth of tourism. He expects a positive climate “provided they can sustain the incentives,” the taxes that have attracted the current foreign investments.
Llibre also mentioned the challenges of air connectivity, the construction of new hotel rooms, and the reduction in costs of hotel operations.
“The need for that incentive or competitiveness law is crucial for reducing these differences, putting the Dominican Republic on a competitive level with other countries that are also drawing in tourist investments,” Llibre stated at the end of the religious ceremony.
These comments from Asonahores’ president comes while the government is deliberating the plan to introduce a tax reform that might lead to the elimination of State incentives for industrial sectors; a project that according to David Llibre, Asonahores are not aware of its specifics.
“We are expressing concerns in case this scenario involves the reduction or elimination of exemptions for the tourism sector. As of today, we are waiting for tangible information as we know that the authorities are reconsidering the different incentives available to various economic sectors of the country,” Llibre expounded.
The outstanding growth of tourism according to the Minister of Tourism
Upon the Eucharist conclusion, the Minister of Tourism delivered a speech stating that World Tourism Day was a celebration day – acknowledging what the Dominican Republic has accomplished in its tourism industry, and the global recognition it’s gained.
He lauded the position the Dominican Republic brand has achieved, surpassing all records in tourist arrivals, air connectivity and the presence of new hotel chains expanding into the country – such as several prestigious international brands establishing in Uvero Alto, Miches, Punta Bergantín in Puerto Plata and Pedernales.
“The Dominican Republic is indeed steadfast, solid. It’s the best time for the private sector to continue investing in the Dominican Republic. Our country is celebrating World Tourism Day today having experienced the best year in the history of tourism in 2023 and is currently witnessing the best year in the history of Tourism in 2024,” Collado stressed.
The total visitor count in the Dominican Republic amounts to 7.8 million. “Today is a day to celebrate, to acknowledge our accomplishments, the international recognition that the Dominican Republic brand has received, our established air connectivity and the new hotel chains entering the country,” said Collado.
He divulged that tourist reservations for end-of-year vacations in the country for November and December have doubled from 2023, which was the best year in the history of Dominican tourism. According to Collado, December’s reservations are expected to be 15% higher than the ones from the same period last year.
In regards to its destination promotion initiative, he announced the country’s participation in the English tourism expo, meeting in Toronto, Montreal in Canada, Argentina, and Brazil. These are markets with growing numbers of tourists to the Dominican Republic, which compensates for the decline in European visitor arrivals.
The tourism challenges as outlined by the Minister of Tourism.
While everything in the Dominican Republic’s travel and tourism industry is progressing well, David Collado mentioned their main challenges as adding new hotel accommodations to match the increasing visitor volume, and expanding air connectivity in a bid to reduce flight costs.
He labeled the exorbitant prices during Christmas season as extremely excessive, citing the example of economy class air tickets from New York which can rise up to two thousand dollars when compared to $200 to Mexico.
“Tourism thrives where there is peace”, Collado reminded, praising the maturity of the Dominican political class that has brought about social and economic stability in the country.