The president of the ABA, Rosanna Ruiz, highlighted the added value of the country's tourism industry, which over the last 35 years has grown at an average annual rate of 6.6%, almost 30% above the Dominican economy, which, during the same period, grew at 5.1%
SANTO DOMINGO.- The sustained growth of the tourism sector, reflected in the increase in visitors, the generation of jobs and its contribution to the gross domestic product, demonstrates a constant confidence and an increasingly robust offering, which finds in the Dominican banking sector a key ally for the expansion and diversification of the Dominican Republic as a destination.
This was the conclusion reached by representatives of both sectors during the forum "Capital, Trust and Growth: Banking and Tourism," held this Tuesday by the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) and the Association of Multiple Banks of the Dominican Republic (ABA), at the Hotel El Embajador.
In his opening speech, the president of Asonahores, Juan Bancalari, reported that the Dominican multiple banking sector has increased its loan portfolio destined for tourism by 67% between 2020 and 2025, reaching more than RD$112 billion, which demonstrates the confidence of the financial system in the sector.
"This financing has been key to the construction of new projects, the modernization of the hotel infrastructure, and the expansion of complementary services," added Bancalari, during the event which was attended by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado; the Superintendent of Banks, Alejandro Fernández W.; presidents and other senior executives of trade associations, financial institutions, and the Dominican business sector.
For her part, the president of the ABA, Rosanna Ruiz, highlighted the added value of the country's tourism industry, which over the last 35 years has grown at an annual average of 6.6%, almost 30% above the Dominican economy, which, during the same period, grew at 5.1%.
Ruiz also reported that over the past three decades, credit to the tourism industry grew at an average annual rate of 24%, which represents an increase 60% faster than that of the commercial sector portfolio, which was 15%.
As a result of this strong and sustained expansion, he explained, tourism's share of the commercial loan portfolio rose from 1.2% in 1996 to 9.2% in 2025. "This percentage is even higher if we only consider loans in foreign currency, where tourism's share rises to 21%," he added.
The ABA president also stated that in this exponential evolution of tourism, the banking sector has not been a spectator, but an active partner and a strategic ally that has accompanied the development of the sector with a long-term vision.
"Financing tourism is not just about granting loans: it's about investing in the country. It's about believing that stability is maintained, projects are consolidated, and the capital invested today has the potential to multiply into jobs, foreign exchange, and well-being," he said.
During the event, the Dominican Republic's Multiple Banking Association (ABA) presented an award to the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening and revitalizing the national economy. The award highlighted his management of the sector's sustained recovery, the promotion of the country in key markets, and the creation of conditions that have boosted investment and the growth of tourism as a strategic driver of the Dominican economy.
Authorities present tourism development
During the forum "Capital, Confidence and Growth: Banking and Tourism", the participating authorities agreed that tourism has evolved to become a cross-cutting axis of the Dominican economy, with a proven capacity to boost different productive activities and generate development opportunities throughout the national territory.
In this regard, Tourism Minister David Collado emphasized the importance of trust as a central element in positioning the country as a regional leader. “The Dominican Republic is experiencing one of its best tourism periods thanks to trust. Trust from investors, banks, airlines, and, above all, the millions of visitors who choose us. This record growth in arrivals, connectivity, and occupancy is the result of a shared vision between the public and private sectors, which has made tourism the main engine of our economy,” Collado stated.
Collado also highlighted the crucial role played by Dominican multiple banks during the pandemic, emphasizing their ability to support the tourism sector during one of its most challenging times, contributing to its recovery and stability.
For his part, the general advisor of the Superintendency of Banks, Enmanuel Cedeño, reported that the delinquency rate for tourism is only 0.3% at the end of March 2026, one of the lowest in the entire banking portfolio.
He indicated that by the end of 2025, non-bank financing to the tourism sector, channeled through closed-end investment funds, reached US$1.231 billion, equivalent to approximately 66% of the sector's bank loan portfolio. "Tourism is one of the major drivers of the economy, and bank financing is one of its fuels," he stated.
The event also included the participation of the Technical Vice Minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, who spoke about the size of the Dominican tourism market, with significant increases in its impact on GDP (18%), the number of visitors to the country, the tourism offer, hotel rooms and the investment of the financial sector.
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