SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has once again turned to Mexico as a strategic partner for tourism growth. Minister David Collado led the Meet in Paradise 2026 , an event that brought together more than 1,600 tour operators, travel agents, and industry representatives, confirming the growing importance of Mexico on the regional tourism map.
The event brought together professionals from multiple Mexican cities, including Guadalajara, Cancun, Monterrey, Puebla and Veracruz, in a day designed to present the Dominican tourism proposal and strengthen ties with key players in the sector.
A showcase to display the Dominican offer
During the event, the Ministry of Tourism presented a proposal that combined beaches, cultural heritage, gastronomy and hotel infrastructure, along with products geared towards segments such as luxury, weddings, MICE tourism and personalized experiences.
The meeting was conceived as a platform for direct connection between the Mexican tourism ecosystem and the Dominican destination, with a focus on promoting comprehensive experiences beyond hotel infrastructure.
Collado emphasized this vision by stating that the initiative seeks to showcase “a unique experience that Mexicans should live ,” while also putting into context the relevance of that market for the sustained growth of national tourism.
Mexico gains importance as a source market
The figures reflect this progress. In the last year, 163,579 Mexican tourists visited the Dominican Republic, representing a 39.3% increase compared to 2014. With this performance, Mexico positioned itself as the eighth largest source market, surpassing countries such as Chile, Brazil, and France.
This influx of visitors is part of a broader tourism expansion. The country closed 2025 with 11.6 million visitors , the best result in the sector's history, consolidating a model capable of sustaining its growth even in a complex international environment.
Experiences to connect with the country brand
The agenda combined interactive training sessions, thematic panels, and cultural activities designed to connect attendees with Dominican identity. These included rum tastings, Caribbean dance classes, and workshops related to local traditions, all designed to strengthen an emotional connection to the destination.
One of the distinguishing features was the participation of the academic sector. In total, 57 students and representatives from universities such as UNAM and Anáhuac University took part in the event, creating a space for interaction between the tourism industry and the new generations.
Air connectivity and increasing demand
The growth of tourism between the two countries is also supported by increased connectivity. In 2025, approximately 1,461 direct flights were recorded, with an average occupancy rate of 64%, a capacity that facilitated access to the destination and met growing demand.
The profile of the Mexican traveler helps to explain this dynamism: 47% travel for rest , 24% for hotel quality and 18% motivated by the cultural offer, factors that translate into an average stay of close to eight days.
Training and strategy for growth
With Meet in Paradise, the Ministry of Tourism presented its roadmap for the year and reaffirmed its commitment to the Mexican market, relying on training, professionalization and the strengthening of the tourism ecosystem as foundations to sustain the growth of the sector.
The initiative was also designed to generate new opportunities for cooperation and investment, consolidating Mexico as one of the priority markets for the Dominican Republic within its international tourism promotion strategy.
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