SANTO DOMINGO. - The Dominican Republic received 3,348,716 visitors during the first quarter of this year, representing a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 16% increase compared to 2023, reported the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
He indicated that in relation to 2019, this number of visitors represents a historic increase of 234%.
“Despite the uncertainty in the global landscape, which has affected the flow of international tourism, our tourism remains strong, registering a notable increase in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period in previous years,” Collado highlighted.
He said that the country received 2,320,725 tourists by air alone between January and March of this year.
Although this amount implies a slight decrease of 0.6% in relation to 2024, it represents an increase of 12% compared to the first quarter of 2023 and a growth of 24% compared to 2019.
It should be noted that these year-on-year results were influenced by seasonal factors such as the leap year (February 2025 had one less day than in 2024) and the Easter calendar (which in 2024 was celebrated in March, unlike this Easter).
Cruise tourism at its best
The greatest increase in visitors in the first quarter of this year came from cruise tourism.
During the period January-March 2025, the country received 1,027,991 cruise passengers, representing an increase of 15% compared to last year, 27% compared to 2023 and a growth of 167% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Also in the first three months of the year, the country received 18,473 commercial flights (with an overall seat occupancy of 76%), as well as 367 cruise operations.
Similarly, the hotel industry recorded an average occupancy of 81%, with the Punta Cana-Bávaro area leading the way with 89% occupancy and La Romana with 85% of all available rooms.
