SANTO DOMINGO.- Just days before the start of Holy Week, hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic has already exceeded 80%, with high demand projected in the country's main tourist destinations during one of the busiest periods of the year.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic (MITUR), open occupancy stands at 84.3%, while room availability reaches 87.4%, reflecting a favorable scenario for tourist mobility in the coming days.
This behavior prior to Holy Week confirms the dynamism of the sector and anticipates a significant flow of visitors both in beach destinations and in other areas of interest.
Tourist hotspots concentrate the highest demand
The highest occupancy levels continue to be concentrated in traditional destinations such as Punta Cana–Bávaro, Bayahibe, La Romana and Puerto Plata, which are positioned as the most visited spots during this season.
These areas not only have the largest hotel infrastructure in the country, but also high air connectivity and a consolidated supply, factors that directly influence their high demand compared to other regions.
In contrast, emerging destinations maintain a more moderate occupancy rate, which demonstrates an unequal distribution of tourist flow at the national level.
Background: 2025 of record figures
The current performance finds a point of reference in what happened during Holy Week in 2025, when the country registered record numbers in the arrival of visitors.
According to MITUR, 201,889 tourists entered the country by air during that period, marking a record compared to previous years and consolidating the Dominican Republic as one of the most active destinations in the Caribbean.
In terms of occupancy, hotel chains reported averages close to 81%, exceeding 2024 levels and demonstrating strong demand during that season.
Positive projection for 2026
Given this background and current occupancy levels, everything points to Holy Week 2026 maintaining a similar or even better performance than the previous year.
The flow of bookings, along with the historical behavior of these dates, positions the tourism sector in a scenario of high activity, especially on weekends, where the highest peaks are traditionally recorded.
A key barometer of tourism
Holy Week not only represents a holiday period, but also a key indicator to measure the performance of tourism in the country.
Previous occupancy levels, combined with historical trends, suggest a significant impact on economic activity linked to the sector, from hotels to transportation and complementary services.
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