Santo Domingo – In 2024, the Dominican Republic experienced growth in its tourism offerings, with three new destinations successfully welcoming their first guests, highlighting a greater dispersion of tourism throughout the country, going beyond traditional destinations and offering travelers a more diverse range of experiences.
Globally, Airbnb guests, on the world's most popular platform, experienced an unprecedented year of exploration across different countries. They traveled to more than 14,000 new destinations, including cities and towns, making last year a significant increase compared to 2020. In Latin America, the number of places that received their first booking in 2024 exceeds 200 destinations, according to a press release.
It states that in the case of the Dominican Republic, the new destinations that tourists are visiting include:
- Cibao Norte, Valverde: Its mountainous landscapes, ecotourism routes and agricultural wealth make it a destination of interest for those seeking authentic experiences outside the traditional circuits.
- Yuma, San Pedro de Macorís: This town is of great interest due to its history linked to sugar, its vibrant cultural heritage, and its artistic expressions. Furthermore, its proximity to coastal areas and its Caribbean culinary offerings make it an attractive stop for both national and international visitors.
- Cibao Sur, Duarte: Recognized as one of the country's main cacao producers, it offers experiences related to agricultural and gastronomic tourism. Added to this is the warmth of its people and a constantly evolving cultural scene.
"The successful integration of these destinations into the tourism market suggests a growing interest in authentic and unusual travel experiences within the Dominican Republic, which can help contribute to regional economic development and help showcase the country's vast and varied attractions," the press release states.
He adds that Airbnb's internal data from 2024 indicated that nearly 40% of travelers were locals exploring within their own country.
The platform, the statement notes, is helping to promote local tourism, since in 2024 the percentage of domestic nights in rural destinations represented almost 40% of the total booked.
