President Luis Abinader has declared that the current business climate is the most favorable in the region for investing in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the tourism sector. Speaking during a presentation on the country’s half year tourism performance, Abinader emphasized the stability and profitability of the nation as a destination for investment.
“We don’t see another place in the region offering greater returns—politically, economically, and socially,” the President stated. He reiterated his administration’s continued support for the tourism industry, regardless of domestic or global challenges. “You have a government that will stand by your side, no matter the problems we face—international or national—we will solve them together,” he assured investors and industry stakeholders.
The President’s remarks in the presentation when Tourism Minister David Collado announced a major milestone: the Dominican Republic welcomed more than six million visitors in the first half of 2025.
The figure exceeded expectations, surprising both public and private sector leaders, especially given the backdrop of a difficult international tourism environment. The downturn in visitors from the United States and Europe had raised concerns earlier in the year.
However, a surge in tourist arrivals from Latin America helped reverse projections and has sparked optimism. Officials now believe the country could reach a record 12 million visitors by the end of 2025.
Tourism Minister David Collado highlighted the significance of this growth during his presentation of the January–June arrival report. He noted that despite uncertainty in the United States travel market—which accounts for over half of all visitors—the Dominican Republic managed to achieve robust numbers.
“This situation has impacted many countries that depend on North American tourism,” Collado said, “but we’ve managed to grow by diversifying our source markets, especially in Latin America.”
The airports of Punta Cana, Las Américas (Santo Domingo), Cibao (Santiago), Puerto Plata and La Romana (Casa de Campo) are reported as the main gateways for tourists entering the country.
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El Dia
15 July 2025