More than 1M visitors arrive in April, marking 7% growth

[Dolores]

The Ministry of Tourism reported 1,020,646 visitors in April 2025, a 7% increase over the same month in 2024.

Minister of Tourism David Collado noted during the monthly statistical presentation, held this time in Santiago, that the number of visitors in April 2025 of 7% from April 2024, is up 18% compared to April 2023, and 55% compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019.

The minister also highlighted that during the first four months of this year, the country has welcomed a record-breaking 4,369,288 visitors. The goal for this year is to set a 11 million tourist arrival record.

“This translates to a 4% growth compared to the same period last year, a 17% increase from 2023, and a remarkable 50% rise from 2019,” Collado stated.

Of these visitors, 3,069,832 arrived by air, and 1,299,456 by sea. The airport at Punta Cana led the way with 64% of air arrivals between...

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[CristoRey]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they put half as much effort into fixing the never ending water and electricity problems?

 

[Gadfly]

Tourism up, now it’s down, now it’s up, who cares?

 

[CristoRey]

Tourism up, now it’s down, now it’s up, who cares?

Tourism isn't doing anything for the people at the bottom yet it's all they ever talk about.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Tourism isn't doing anything for the people at the bottom yet it's all they ever talk about.

As long as Luis is president don’t expect this to change. A new President might have a different focus.

Really it’s a catch 22 for the DR government, given the amount of money the previous and current governments invested in tourism, they have to promote it. Especially with a possible recession looming and Mexico and other Caribbean destinations doing everything it can to lure more tourists.

The government’s tourist visitor stats are really just feel good announcements, public pap needed after major disasters like the JetSet roof collapse. Honestly, I don’t think the average Dominican gives a rat’s nass unless they’re directly employed in the tourism business.

I question the validity of the stats because they include cruise ship visits. I suspect the value to the DR economy and the local employment they generate is a lot less than that generated by the AI’s.

 

[CristoRey]

Especially with a possible recession looming and Mexico and other Caribbean destinations doing everything it can to lure more tourists.

Not happening stateside.
Americans will continue coming down by the thousands this summer. Problem is a huge chunk of the money they spend is done in controlled environment from the time they arrive until the time they leave.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Not happening stateside.
Americans will continue coming down by the thousands this summer. Problem is a huge chunk of the money they spend is done in controlled environment from the time they arrive until the time they leave.

CR. The US econompic numbers released yesterday indicate the economy is strong despite the tariffs. The likely hood of a US recession is lower since China and the US have reduced their respective tariffs. The DR is and will continue to be a big draw for US citizens because of very competitive AI vacation prices and the strength of the US greenback. On the Canadian side, WestJet Vacations has reduced flights and packages to US vacation destinations and increased the number of flight and packages to the DR and Mexico. Expect to see more Canadians in the DR this winter.

 

[lifeisgreat]

CR. The US econompic numbers released yesterday indicate the economy is strong despite the tariffs. The likely hood of a US recession is lower since China and the US have reduced their respective tariffs. The DR is and will continue to be a big draw for US citizens because of very competitive AI vacation prices and the strength of the US greenback. On the Canadian side, WestJet Vacations has reduced flights and packages to US vacation destinations and increased the number of flight and packages to the DR and Mexico. Expect to see more Canadians in the DR this winter.

West jet cancelled all summer flights to POP

 

[SKY]

West jet cancelled all summer flights to POP

That is on POP, not anything else...............

 

[josh2203]

West jet cancelled all summer flights to POP

Meanwhile, the calendar for docking cruise ships for both ports in POP are very full... The only days without traffic jams around the port are those when no ships are docked... I don't know where those people come from, but more than ever before, we need to plan when to do errands or go to the beach, as things are often very packed...

 

[Ecoman1949]

West jet cancelled all summer flights to POP

As they normally do at the end of high season. They restart flights to POP in early November.

 

[lifeisgreat]

As they normally do at the end of high season. They restart flights to POP in early November.

Not true…10yrs puddle jumping in and out summers with west jet.

 

[lifeisgreat]

That is on POP, not anything else...............

That’s why I said POP

 

[Ecoman1949]

Not true…10yrs puddle jumping in and out summers with west jet.

I’m a bit confused. Your first post says Westjet cancelled all summer flights to POP and your last post says that for the past ten years you can use Westjet to return to Canada. Are you referring to a recent change in Westjet flights out of POP? I fly from Atlantic Canada and flights from Halifax to the DR during low season aren’t available, Westjet, Air Transat, Air Canada, Sunwing, etc. I can get there on a Halifax-Boston- POP flight but it is very expensive.

 

[windeguy]

West jet cancelled all summer flights to POP

Large numbers of tourists stopped flying to POP many years ago. The snowbirds have gone back home, so little reason to have those flights in summer.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Large numbers of tourists stopped flying to POP many years ago. The snowbirds have gone back home, so little reason to have those flights in summer.

Windy. If the proposed plans for Playa Bergantine and Playa Dorada actually happen, I expect to see an increase in flights to POP from all countries, even in the off season. At least until the novelty wears off. They made the expensive effort to upgrade the runway to accommodate the larger new class of aircraft. Something must be planned.

 

[lifeisgreat]

Large numbers of tourists stopped flying to POP many years ago. The snowbirds have gone back home, so little reason to have those flights in summer.

Totally get it...just spoiled last 10 yrs...

 

[windeguy]

Windy. If the proposed plans for Playa Bergantine and Playa Dorada actually happen, I expect to see an increase in flights to POP from all countries, even in the off season. At least until the novelty wears off. They made the expensive effort to upgrade the runway to accommodate the larger new class of aircraft. Something must be planned.

There are certainly plenty of new condos going in already on the north coast. Over 300 within a mile or two of where I live, and plenty more in other locations from Puerto Plata to Gaspar Hernandez. So there will either be plenty of expats and/or plenty of frustrated AIRBNB owners trying to rent them in a place with too many options.

Playa Bergantin would add a significant number of condos, villas and some AI resorts to that already growing number. Progress at Playa Bergantin is so far non-existent, but maybe someday. Will all of that make a difference in flights? Perhaps, but I don't expect huge differences from the few flights we have now.

The problem is, once tourism leaves an area , it does not come back. Pedernales is the new place the DR government is focusing on.