The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that in 2024 this segment represented 6.3% of total tourism spending in the country, with an average daily consumption per visitor of US$208, higher than vacation tourism.
SANTO DOMINGO.– In less than two years, the Dominican Republic has consolidated its place on the map of international meetings, congresses and events tourism, generating millions of dollars in revenue, positioning new destinations and attracting high-profile visitors that boost the local economy.
From the luxurious ballrooms of Punta Cana to the business hotels of Santo Domingo, and including emerging gems like Miches and Santiago, the country has demonstrated its readiness and drive to lead the MICE
(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. MICE is an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, a segment of the tourism industry focused on attracting diplomatic events, corporate gatherings, medical congresses, international trade shows, award ceremonies, and business activities that draw large crowds, demand high-quality services, and generate an immediate economic impact on hotels, transportation, restaurants, and local businesses.
Economic impact
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that in 2024 the MICE segment represented 6.3% of total tourism spending in the country, as visitors in this sector spend an average of US$208 per day, a figure that exceeds that of the traditional holiday tourist.
In 2024, visitors attending meetings, conferences, and incentives (MICE) events spent the equivalent of between $706 million and $951 million, depending on whether only international tourism is considered or total spending that includes domestic tourists. This segment stands out not only for its volume but also because its visitors spend more.
Although there are variations depending on the method or period analyzed, the most up-to-date and supported data for 2024, according to the Central Bank, is an average consumption of US$167.30 dollars per person per day, in traditional tourism, while more conservative estimates indicate figures between US$136 and US$165 dollars per day.
According to the WTTC, in 2024 international tourist spending in the Dominican Republic reached US$11.2 billion, plus domestic consumption of US$3.9 billion, for a total of approximately US$15.1 billion. These figures not only strengthen the economy but also diversify the tourism model, generate skilled employment, and stimulate complementary sectors such as gastronomy, production, transportation, technology, and commerce.
The Vice Minister of Tourism, Magaly Toribio, reported that most of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups come from the United States, Canada, Spain, and Latin America, and that the Ministry maintains an active schedule of participation in international trade shows such as FITUR, IBTM, IMEX, and other key platforms to promote the country to corporate tourism.
The president of the Santo Domingo Hotel Association (AHSD), Yudit García, also stated that while there are venues with capacity for up to 2,500 people, “the convention center promised by the government is urgently needed because the market's potential is exceeding the current infrastructure.”
It is worth noting that the former Hotel Santo Domingo, with its prime location, will be demolished to make way for a convention center in the Dominican capital.
More than 3,000 events are planned for 2024.
According to data from the Dominican Association of Health Tourism and Asonahores, in 2024, 3,312 MICE events were held in the Dominican Republic, with more than 280,000 attendees and 41,000 rooms booked, representing a vital boost to non-traditional tourism.
Santo Domingo, which does not have a convention center, led in the number of activities thanks to its business hotel facilities, private rooms and adaptable spaces such as the Sans Souci Tourist Port, followed by Punta Cana, which shone internationally when it was recognized in August 2024 by the magazine Convenciones Latinoamérica as the “Best Latin American City for MICE Tourism”.
The easternmost destination in the Dominican Republic received the Medal of Excellence in Meetings & Events, an award that highlighted its air connectivity, hotel capacity, security, and logistical efficiency—key conditions for attracting global congresses and events.
Health tourism alone invested US$1.4 billion globally in medical conferences over the past 18 months.
Among the most outstanding activities are:
-The Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State (March 2023) held in Santo Domingo with the participation of presidents, foreign ministers and delegations from 22 countries.
-The International Wedding and Destination Events Congress (January 2025), which brought together more than 500 international organizers at the Jaragua Hotel.
-SDQ MICE + ICCA Summit 2024
-Puerto Plata Construction Expo 2025
-DATE 2025 (Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange)
– Expoturismo Santiago 2025
– RefriAméricas 2025
– GT Challenge of the Americas 2025
– Corales Puntacana Championship (PGA TOUR) 2025
– Barbarella Festival 2025
– Agro-Food Fair 2025
- Dozens of medical congresses, organized in hotels in the capital, with an estimated expenditure of 12 million Dominican pesos per event.
“We are ready to lead”
David Collado, the Minister of Tourism, is aware of the strategic importance of meetings tourism for diversifying the country's offerings: “We are ready to host more congresses, more business, and more events. Punta Cana, Santiago, Miches, and Santo Domingo have the potential, and we provide the support from the government,” he stated.
With this vision, the Ministry of Tourism has allocated RD$1.2 billion through Decree 296-22 for the acquisition of land and construction of the Santo Domingo Convention Center, a long-awaited project expected to boost the capital as a regional hub for major congresses and trade shows.
Furthermore, the Ministry has strengthened the Convention Bureau, a public-private organization that coordinates international promotion efforts and has implemented incentives to attract organizers of these types of meetings, including logistical support, tax exemptions, and joint positioning campaigns with offices abroad.
Most active MICE destinations
Santo Domingo: Ideal for government, medical, and corporate events. It boasts over 70 hotels and meeting rooms, though dedicated infrastructure is needed.
Punta Cana: All-inclusive hotels with large ballrooms, renowned for their logistical excellence and spectacular beaches for leisure time.
Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Miches: Growing destinations that attract regional events, business retreats, and developing congresses.
The Dominican Republic, beyond its beaches, sun, and adventure, is committed to a strategic vision and is developing the capabilities to become a regional hub for meetings and conventions tourism. With thousands of events already held, millions in revenue, and new investments on the way, the country is moving steadily toward a leadership role that extends beyond tourism, enhancing its business, diplomatic, and cultural profile on the world stage.
