Tourist arrivals continue to set records in the Dominican Republic. The half year mark for 2024 is now at 5,90,726 visitors. Last year was the first time the Ministry of Tourism recorded more than 10 million visitors with a record-setting 10.5 million visitors. Tourism Minister David Collado expects 2024 to be another record-breaking year.
Minister of Tourism Collado announced the encouraging figures during a press conference held in the capital city. He highlighted the significant increase in air arrivals, with 758,719 visitors in June alone, representing a 7% growth compared to June 2023. This positive trend extends to cruise tourism as well, with 165,017 cruise passengers visiting in June, marking a 15% increase from the same month last year.
“This means that in June alone, the country received 923,736 visitors, 9% more than in 2023, 28% more than in 2022, and 58% higher than the previous year,” Minister Collado emphasized.
The data for the first six months is equally impressive. The Dominican Republic welcomed 4,474,981 tourists by air and 1,475,745 cruise passengers, bringing the total to 5,950,726 visitors. This represents a remarkable 11% growth compared to the first half of 2023, 45% over 2022, and 43% compared to 2019.
Minister Collado expressed his optimism for the remainder of the year, projecting a total of 11.4 million visitors by the end of 2024. He also noted that despite the usual low season, hotel occupancy rates remain strong at 72%.
The tourism boom is attributed to various factors, including the country’s diverse natural attractions, world-class hospitality, and ongoing government initiatives to promote and support the industry. The recent open skies agreement with the United States is expected to further boost tourism arrivals.
“The tourism industry is in its best moments,” Minister Collado declared, emphasizing the sector’s significance for the Dominican Republic’s economic growth and development, according to a press release from the Ministry.
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Ministry of Tourism
9 July 2024