SANTO DOMINGO. – The government's goal is for the Dominican Republic to reach 12 million visitors by 2025, supported by the large real estate investments being made in various tourist destinations such as Miches, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Pedernales.
In announcing yesterday, December 2nd, alongside Tourism Minister David Collado, the arrival of 10 million visitors, President Luis Abinader commented that the nation's new goal is to achieve 12 million tourists arriving in the Dominican Republic next year.
“But next year, David, we have to aim for 12 million tourists. And we can do it, because we're going to keep working, we're going to continue with the public-private partnership that has been so successful for us these past four years,” the president added, after celebrating the figure reached in 2024.
11.5 million by the end of this year
The goal of government authorities is to end this year with 11.5 million foreigners, for which the country must register the arrival of 999,200 new visitors in the remainder of the year.
“When we celebrate these 10 million, and soon these 11 million, we celebrate development, prosperity,” the ruler said, and acknowledged that each time “it becomes more difficult for us to surpass the previous year’s records.”.
According to the figures presented, in November, the country received 881,499 foreigners (both by air and sea), which is 54% more than in the same month of 2019. The figure also represents 15% more than in 2022 and just 2% more than last year.
President Abinader and the Minister of Tourism led the presentation. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
Collado specified that in November the country received approximately 667,745 non-residents by air, representing a 44% increase compared to November 2019, which registered 435,547. This figure also represents a 17% increase compared to 2022, and a 5% increase compared to 2023, a year that ended with 636,432.
The numbers, however, were not entirely positive. Cruise ship arrivals decreased by 7%, comparing the figure for November of this year, which was 214,454, with that of November 2023, which was 230,077. This represents 15,623 fewer cruise ship passengers this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The downward trend in visitors arriving by sea was caused by atmospheric phenomena both in the country and in the Caribbean region, which affected cruise ship traffic, the minister explained.
Tourism projects: a support for the goal
Abinader said that next year he will open the Pedernales destination, a project that seeks to boost tourism development in the southwest region of the country.
“We are going to open the first hotel. And in 2026 at least two more hotels from the Pedernales trust will open, and possibly one from the private sector,” the president noted.
“That is another pole, it is another hope that is opening up in our country and, in which the Government is supporting together with the private sector, which has co-sponsored, with us, this great project,” he added.
Abinader also mentioned Punta Bergantín, in Puerto Plata, another tourism project that will include hotel complexes, commercial areas, and even a golf course. In August, the head of state broke ground on the Hyatt Zilara Hotel, which is part of the 4,000 rooms planned for the complex.
“It will be the relaunch of the north coast of the Dominican Republic, where we will begin construction on several projects by international brands: Hyatt, Hilton, and Meliá will have hotels in Bergantín,” he explained.
Abinader highlighted the expansion of Punta Cana, heading towards Miches, which will "perhaps" have another five new hotels.
“This is extremely important in any economy. Therefore, we are not only consolidating the tourist areas where we are growing, but we are also creating new areas that will guarantee that new tourists will come,” he said.
The Minister of Tourism reiterated that tax incentives for the tourism sector will be maintained, due to the growth it has experienced in recent times.
