Pace of tourism slows, global uncertainties put a dapper on tourism increases

[Dolores]

The year had started out as usual, with a significant increase in travelers in January 2025. In January 2025, a new record for the month was hit with 1,155,484 visitors, up 53% from the pre-pandemic year of 2019, 22% compared to 2023 and 8% compared to 2024. The numbers also reflected the strong maritime tourism numbers. Air arrivals were 759,929 tourists, with cruise ship tourists reaching a high 395,555.

Yet for the first time in four years, when reviewing the monthly statistics, Tourism Minister was not able to announce another record in travel arrivals. Tourist air arrivals in February 2025 were 588,212, down 9.85% compared to the 652,487 visitors in February 2024.

It is important to take into consideration that 2024 was an out-of-the-ordinary year because, as occurred in 2023, it accumulated the thousands of vacations people who had postponed vacationing in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due...

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[drstock]

I would guess that the large decrease in European tourism is due to the much higher air fares.

 

[aarhus]

I would guess that the large decrease in European tourism is due to the much higher air fares.

I am getting my DR residency renewed now. It expired in 2021. But I am not moving back here yet. It is for later. So I was planning on traveling here twice a year but it is becoming difficult. European expats in the DR is also a decreasing group I think.

 

[DrNoob]

I would guess that the large decrease in European tourism is due to the much higher air fares.

There are not many daily all-year round options to the DR from Europe, except Punta Cana or SDQ.

That said, I would have thought the Canadians would flock more to the DR instead of Florida thus bumping up the numbers

 

[PJP]

Once people see that there are other and possibly better options out there they tend to move on. Can't blame them. You can have a wonderful life in a surprising number of other places either for a lot less at the cheap end or much more lux at about the same costs as the DR. If you're willing and able to try other places.

 

[aarhus]

Once people see that there are other and possibly better options out there they tend to move on. Can't blame them. You can have a wonderful life in a surprising number of other places either for a lot less at the cheap end or much more lux at about the same costs as the DR. If you're willing and able to try other places.

That is very true. In hindsight I would probably have done something else. Now it is here I know. I have recidency here and a vacation home. Friends and contacts. But for many different reasons it is not ideal. I have thought about exploring somewhere else. I have been thinking about South Brazil and South East Asia. Also in Europe Spain and Portugal..

 

[JD Jones]

Is anyone here on the board following DR1 Robert's voyage on FB? I'm jealous!

 

[aarhus]

Is anyone here on the board following DR1 Robert's voyage on FB? I'm jealous!

I have seen some of his posts. A real nomad.

 

[SNH]

Is anyone here on the board following DR1 Robert's voyage on FB? I'm jealous!

link?

 

[aarhus]

My impression from this forum is that many members will be thrilled with less tourism from Europe and the prospect of less European expats.

 

[chico bill]

There are not many daily all-year round options to the DR from Europe, except Punta Cana or SDQ.

That said, I would have thought the Canadians would flock more to the DR instead of Florida thus bumping up the numbers

I don't think Canadian numbers are down. But definitely Europeans and Americans are down. And probably Russians are down too.

But Chinese seemed to be increasing but I don't think they are considered tourists, more like immigrants.

 

[keepcoming]

My impression from this forum is that many members will be thrilled with less tourism from Europe and the prospect of less European expats.

Why would you think that? I doubt that is anyone's impression.

 

[CristoRey]

Once people see that there are other and possibly better options out there they tend to move on. Can't blame them. You can have a wonderful life in a surprising number of other places either for a lot less at the cheap end or much more lux at about the same costs as the DR. If you're willing and able to try other places.

Agreed.

I spent just over a month in Turkiye in the Summer of 2023. It was less expensive (at the time) than the DR with plenty to see and do. I absolutely loved it over there. The beaches around Bodrum are amazing. If I were still living in Europe it would be my # 1 travel destination mainly to due the prices, proximity and frequency of flights to all major European airports.

 

[CristoRey]

Is anyone here on the board following DR1 Robert's voyage on FB? I'm jealous!

Link please.

 

[Ecoman1949]

There are not many daily all-year round options to the DR from Europe, except Punta Cana or SDQ.

That said, I would have thought the Canadians would flock more to the DR instead of Florida thus bumping up the numbers

Canadians are still going to the Punta Cana AI’s in decent numbers because Canadian airlines promote that area to the max. Prices are very competitive there. More direct Canadian flights to there than anywhere else in the DR. Playa Dorada used to be a draw but it’s changing to more and more condo’s. I still say, if residency was a lot easier, more Canadian expats would buy in the DR, especially those selling up and leaving Florida and many are leaving. Mexico is still a draw for Canadians as is Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Belize. Cuba less and less as conditions worsen there.

Airline fare increases, tariffs creating uncertainty, and the threat of a recession affect discretionary spending in Canada and Europe. Europeans have a long list of nicer places to visit close to home with a climate similar to the DR. Canadians are travelling less in the US and more in Canada now but once winter hits, they prefer to head somewhere South.

Let’s not forget there’s been a large amount of negative publicity about DR resorts in the Canadian media during the past three years. People remember.

 

[aarhus]

Why would you think that? I doubt that is anyone's impression.

We are becoming a minority among expats. Although a higher percentage of us are legal expats haha

 

[keepcoming]

We are becoming a minority among expats. Although a higher percentage of us are legal expats haha

That is not what you posted. This is what you posted: My impression from this forum is that many members will be thrilled with less tourism from Europe and the prospect of less European expats. So basically, you are trying to provoke other posters.

 

[aarhus]

That is not what you posted. This is what you posted: My impression from this forum is that many members will be thrilled with less tourism from Europe and the prospect of less European expats. So basically, you are trying to provoke other posters.

You are pointing me out specifically for being guilty of provoking other posters. Well maybe the fact you are doing that with me and not other posters proves my point. Maybe there is some truth to it. That you are biased.

 

[CristoRey]

We are becoming a minority among expats. Although a higher percentage of us are legal expats haha

Interesting.
At what point were you the majority?

Most all of the expats I socialize with here in Santiago are Italian. I think they are the biggest group of expats in the city after the Dom Yorkers.

 

[CristoRey]

That is not what you posted. This is what you posted: My impression from this forum is that many members will be thrilled with less tourism from Europe and the prospect of less European expats. So basically, you are trying to provoke other posters.

Clearly he's still a little disgruntled over another conversation we had in a different thread recently regarding Europeans. Dude, let it go.

If I disgree with someone I let it be known and when I agree, I do the same.
I click "like" for his post all of the time but judging from his very blunt F.U. response that ended said discussion, I'm guessing his emotions are still running high. Perhaps a little less soy and a bit more protein in the diet would help...
but I could be wrong 😅