Analysis by the Ministry of Tourism and Visa identifies eight consumer profiles and reveals that 71% of visitors traveling to the south pay in cash
SANTO DOMINGO.– Tourists from the United States spend between US$116 and US$223 per day during their stay in the Dominican Republic, depending on their preferences, the destinations they visit, and the type of travel they choose, according to an analysis by the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), conducted in collaboration with the multinational payments company Visa.
The study identified eight consumption patterns among travelers from that market, considered the main source of visitors to the country. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), 3.3 million passengers arrived by air from the United States during the first eight months of the year.
The research seeks to determine how tourists allocate their resources during their vacations, in order to guide promotional strategies towards the segments with the greatest consumption potential and to boost economic activities such as accommodation, gastronomy and commerce.
During the presentation of the results, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, expressed that the country seeks to continue innovating and deepening its knowledge of travelers who choose the Dominican Republic as a destination.
Punta Cana accounts for a significant portion of the spending
Americans who organize their own trips register the highest average daily expenditure, at US$223. However, this profile represents only 1.7% of the total spending analyzed.
On the other hand, those staying in all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana and other destinations in the eastern region spend around US$196 per day and account for 26.7% of the spending recorded during the period studied.
Meanwhile, visitors who travel through the country's metropolitan area spend an average of US$116 per day, although they represent 21.9% of total consumption, according to figures published by Mitur.
Similarly, Dominicans residing in the United States who travel to their country of origin spend approximately US$139 per day. This segment is also distinguished by their extended stays, which can last up to 34 days.
Differences in consumption between the north and the south
The report indicates that traveler spending also varies depending on the region they visit. Those traveling south spend an average of US$173 per day, while those traveling north spend around US$156 per day.
Meanwhile, tourists who explore the Dominican Republic through excursions, guided tours, or organized packages register an average consumption of US$138 per day.
These results allow us to identify opportunities to diversify the tourism offer and adapt promotional campaigns to the characteristics of each segment, with the purpose of better distributing the economic benefits of the activity in the different areas of the country.
Luxury tourists spend up to US$2,403 per day
Additional profiles identified by the study include luxury visitors, cruise passengers, travelers with a residence in the Dominican Republic, and those who use the territory as a transit destination.
In this regard, luxury tourists exhibit the highest level of spending among the featured segments, reaching up to US$2,403 per day. This spending is linked to the type of accommodation, reservations, and experiences they book during their stay.
As for cruise passengers, the analysis indicates they can spend up to US$105 each time they disembark. This spending represents an opportunity for businesses and service providers located in cruise destinations.
The south needs to expand digital payment options
One of the main findings of the analysis is that 71% of payments made by tourists visiting the southern region are in cash. This occurs despite these travelers registering an average expenditure of US$173 per day.
Referring to this situation, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, explained that the limitations are related to the lack of banking services for commercial establishments in the area.
He also urged the financial sector to support financial inclusion initiatives that expand the use of digital tools and offer alternatives to cash.
The incorporation of these mechanisms would facilitate transactions between visitors and merchants, while also helping to make better use of the resources that enter the local economy from tourism.
Finally, the Ministry of Tourism indicated that it hopes to replicate this type of research in other source markets, with the aim of better understanding the consumption habits of different nationalities and designing promotional strategies more tailored to their preferences.
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