Spanish
Santo Domingo. — The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the Dominican Republic is on its way to experiencing the best tourist winter in its history, after closing September 2025 with record figures that consolidate the country as a leader in growth in the Caribbean.
Between January and September, the country received 8,592,694 visitors, which represents a 49% increase compared to 2019, 13% compared to 2023, and 2.6% more than in 2024, according to the report presented this Monday in a hotel in the capital.
In September alone, 588,131 visitors entered, of whom 490,431 arrived by air and 97,700 through cruises. The monthly air flow grew 4.6% compared to 2024, while cruise passengers registered a cumulative increase of 4% in the first nine months of the year, reaching 2,017,211 passengers.
Collado explained that these results are achieved in an international context marked by the fall of the US market in the Caribbean close to 5%, although the Dominican Republic managed to maintain the stability of that segment, which represents 38% of arrivals. The Southern Cone, on the other hand, showed notable growth: Argentina (+29%), Brazil and Chile with double-digit increases, and Colombia (+30%) consolidating among the four main issuers. By airports, Punta Cana concentrated 59% of arrivals in September (+9.5% compared to 2024), followed by Las Américas (25%), Cibao (12%) and Puerto Plata (3%). In total, 4,437 flights were made, an increase of 6% compared to the previous year, with an average occupancy of 73%. The minister highlighted that the 2025-2026 winter season projects historic results, driven by the recovery of the European market with England, Germany, and Spain growing and the expansion of international brands that are betting on the "all-inclusive" model. Among them is the recent opening of the world's first W all-inclusive hotel in Dominican territory. Collado also mentioned the advances in Punta Bergantín (Puerto Plata), PROMICHES (Miches) and Las Terrenas, along with the projects of territorial planning and recovery of public beaches. In addition, he recalled the signing of the open skies agreement with the United States, which will strengthen the country's air connectivity. During the meeting, the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, chaired by Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva, recognized Collado as an Honorary Member, in the presence of representatives of ASONAHORES, hoteliers and executives of the sector. "These results reflect the joint effort of the public and private sectors. We have maintained sustained growth, even amidst global uncertainty," the minister pointed out.
