Dominican Republic maintains record arrivals: nearly 6 million visitors through June

Nearly six million visitors arrived in the Dominican Republic in the first half of this year, a record that continues the sector’s streak of steady growth.

This was announced by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, while reporting that in June alone, the country received 758,719 tourists by air, representing 7% more than the same month of 2023, 17% more than in 2022, and 39% compared to 2019.

He indicated that June’s growth is also reflected in the arrivals by sea, with 165,017 cruise passengers visiting, which reflects an increase of 15% compared to the same month last year, 111% compared to 2022, and 182% compared to 2019.

“This means that in the month of June alone the country received 923,736 visitors, 9% more than in 2023, 28% more than 2022 and 58% higher than last year,” Collado said.

He said that in the January-June period, the country received 4,474,981 tourists, a growth of 9% compared to the same period in 2023, 26% to 2022, and 31% to 2019.

He also reported that in the first six months of this year, the country received 1,473,642 cruise passengers, registering a growth of 16% compared to 2023, 166% compared to 2022, and 159% compared to 2019.

“Those two arrivals give us, again, the big number: 5,950,726 visitors by mid-year. We did it again,” he emphasized.

The minister said that the 5,950,726 visits represent an increase of 11% over the first half of 2023, 45% over 2022 and 43% over 2019.

He also predicted that by the end of the year, the country would receive 11.4 million visitors since, despite the so-called low season, hotel occupancy is 72%.

Minister Collado took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the open skies agreement for the country and the positive impact it will have on tourism, “which is at its best moment.”