SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican tourism continues to reach extraordinary growth figures, receiving more than five million visitors in the January-May period, representing an increase of 12% more than the same period in 2023, 49% more than in 2022 and 43% more than in 2019.
This was reported by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, in his usual monthly presentation on the behavior of the sector, which, on this occasion, took place at the Embajador Hotel in the Dominican capital.
Minister Collado said that in May, the country received 677,475 tourists by air alone, registering an increase of 9% compared to the same month last year, 27% compared to 2019 and 28% compared to 2019.
He stated that the sustained growth shown by the national tourism industry is also reflected at the level of cruise ship passengers.
He indicated that in May alone the country received 169,260 visitors by sea, which is equivalent to an increase of 24% more than the same month last year, 194% higher than in 2022 and 212% above in 2019.
David Collado presents the monthly report on tourist arrivals to the country. (External source).
"May was an extraordinary month with the arrival of 846,735 visitors, representing an increase of 12 percent more than May of last year, 45 percent above the same month of 2019 and 54 percent more than 2018," the official highlighted.
He indicated that in the first five months of this year, 3,716,262 tourists arrived in the country, representing a 10% increase compared to the January-May period of last year, 24% more than in 2019 and 30% above 2018.
He noted that from January to May the country received a record 1,310,728 cruise passengers, exceeding last year's arrivals by 17%, 154% more than the same period in 2019 and 174% above 2018.
Collado highlighted that the joint effort with the private sector has been worthwhile, as the arrival of tourists increased month after month.
"When you see figures like the ones we have achieved in the first five months of this year, you should feel proud as a Dominican: 5,026,990 visitors from January to May, that is a great number," Collado said.
The main countries of origin for tourists in May of this year were the United States with 53%, followed by Canada with 11%, Colombia with 5% and Argentina with 4%.
