SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Republic received more than 8,592,694 visitors in the first 9 months of this year, demonstrating the consistent growth of tourism and its impact on the economy, reported the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
In announcing the results of the industry's performance during the January-September period at a hotel in the capital, Collado said that visitor arrivals in the first nine months of the year registered a growth of 49% compared to 2019, 13% compared to 2023, and 2.6% compared to last year.
The official reported that in the period January-September the country received 6,575,483 tourists by air, which represented a growth of 32% compared to 2019, 9% in relation to 2023 and 2.3% in comparison to 2024.
In the first nine months of this year,2,017,221 cruise passengers.
“Those two numbers mark another record: the arrival of 8,592,694 visitors in 9 months. We did it again,” Collado said.
The official reported that in September alone the country received a total of490,431 tourists by air, representing a growth of 4.6% compared to last year, as well as the arrival of 97,700 cruise ship passengers.
The countries of origin that contributed the most visitors were the United States with 38%, Colombia with 10%, Canada with 8%, Argentina with 7%, and Mexico, Puerto Rico and England with one percent each.
The airports that received the most tourists were Punta Cana with 59%, Las Américas with 25%, Cibao with 12%, Puerto Plata with 3% and La Romana and others with 1%.
David Collado explained that, despite all the adversities worldwide, Dominican tourism continues to grow steadily.
“It has been a feat to achieve these numbers given the international situation,” Minister Collado emphasized.
During the event, the president of the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva, presented Collado with an award declaring him a distinguished member of the organization.
