The Ministry of Tourism reported yesterday the arrival of 6,295,667 visitors in January-July of this year.
SANTO DOMINGO.– The arrival of 6,295,667 visitors to the country in January-July of this year represents a 27% increase compared to the same period last year, when 4,941,138 people arrived, according to data released yesterday by the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR).
Tourism Minister David Collado said in his usual monthly presentation that the Dominican Republic continues to reach unprecedented numbers in the tourism sector, registering the arrival of 792,981 non-residents in July alone this year, making it the best month in the country's history and surpassing July and December 2022, which had been the only months until now in which the country had managed to break the 700,000 tourist barrier.
In presenting the results of the tourism industry's performance, Collado explained that of those 792,981 tourists, 652,506 were foreigners and 140,475 were Dominicans, representing a growth of 34% compared to 2019, 41% compared to 2021, and 8% compared to last year.
Of the total, 77.5% entered the country by air (4,879,656 tourists). The remaining 22.5% arrived via cruise ship excursions (1,416,011), representing a 214% increase compared to the same period in 2022, when 658,928 people arrived by sea.
"This shows us, clearly and precisely, that we are closer to the goal of 10 million tourists by the end of the year," Collado emphasized.
The official said that this sustained growth is also reflected in the cruise industry, noting that the country received 148,560 cruise passengers by sea in July alone. He highlighted that 1,416,011 cruise passengers arrived in the Dominican Republic between January and July, “something never before seen in the history of tourism,” he emphasized.
“If we add the 792,981 tourists who arrived last month by air and the 148,560 visitors who arrived by sea, we are talking about 941,541 visitors. A record number for the month of July,” said Minister Collado.
Countries of origin
The main countries of origin for tourists in July were the United States with 54%, Canada with 8%, Puerto Rico with 5.1%, Colombia registered 3.7%, as did Spain.
The top cities are New York with 6.8%, followed by Miami, Bogotá, Lima and Santiago.
Most visited destinations
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, highlighted that foreigners in the country stayed for an average of eight days during July, with La Altagracia, Greater Santo Domingo and La Romana being the three most visited destinations.
"Now, in this first semester, there was an increase of almost 20% in tourist spending, so the impact of those tourists' stay is much greater," he emphasized.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Tourism of 7,485 tourists determined that 55% of tourists spent less than $100, 40% spent between $100 and $250, and 5% spent more than $250.
By segment, 49% was family, 22% adult, 20% adventurer and 9% senior.
In the case of non-resident Dominicans, the average length of their visit during July was 17 days. Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago and La Vega were the most visited territories.
