The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), projects that by the end of 2025, the travel and tourism sector in the Dominican Republic could reach a new - all time high, bringing more than $21 billion to the national GDP, representing 15.8% of the country's economy.
This projected growth, with a year - on - year increase of 3.3% reflects that the Caribbean country's commitment to solid, sustainable and resilient tourism development.
The Dominican Republic’s tourism success stems from its strategic combination of diverse natural attractions, strong infrastructure including multiple international airports, targeted marketing, and government collaboration with private stakeholders.
Key factors also include geographic proximity to major markets like the U.S. and Canada, a reputation for hospitality and safety, and sustained efforts to diversify the tourism product beyond beaches to include eco - tourism, community - based tourism, and cultural experiences.
Investment in international airports and port facilities easier access for tourists and cruise ships, developing infrastructure, including high - speed internet, supports diverse traveller needs from digital nomads to healthcare travellers are undoubtedly other relevant copmponents of the country’s success.
A further factor is also the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and private businesses, absolutely crucial for promoting the destination and driving growth.
The Caribbean Country's tourism sector is performing exceptionally well, with record-breaking visitor numbers and significant contributions to the national economy. The country has seen a significant rise in tourist arrivals, with 10.3 million visitors in 2024, and exceeding 2019 levels by more than 28%.
Tourism is a vital part of the Dominican Republic's economy, contributing $20.5 billion to the GDP in 2024 that represented 16.1% of the national economy. The tourism sector is a major employer that generated over 876,000 jobs last year, representing 17.6% of total national employment.
That same year, international tourism expenditure amounted to $11.2 billion, while domestic tourism expenditure reached $3.9 billion, representing an increase of 17.6% and 12.3% compared to 2019, respectively.
Further data provided revealed that during 2024, leisure travel accounted for 93.7% of the total, compared to 6.3% for business tourism and among the main source markets were the United States, 39%, Canada, 14%, and Colombia, 4%.
Following these remarkable performances, according to the latest EIR, Economic Impact Research, prepared by the WTTC in collaboration with Oxford Economics, a leading global economic advisory firm providing data – driven insights and forecasts to help clients navigate complex economic landscapes, the tourism sector would employ almost 893.000 workers in 2025, equivalent to 17.9% of the national workforce.
By 2025, the contribution is expected to reach $86 billion, with a share of 18.2% in the regional GDP. In addition, employment in sector is expected to exceed 3 million jobs, that is 16.1% of the regional total.
It is also expected that, by the end of this year, international tourism spending will reach $11.4 billion, while domestic tourism spending is projected to reach $4.1 billion, consolidating the importance of the domestic market along with the global positioning of the destination.
President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, Julia Simpson said that the Dominican Republic continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in the region, consolidating itself as an international tourist destination.
The projections for 2025 reflect a sector that continues to strengthen, with real impact on the economy and employment congratulating President Luis Abinader and the Dominican WTTC members for their vision, commitment and contribution to the growth of this sector that is so vital for country.
Founder and Chairman of Gruipo Puntacana and member of the WTTC Executive Committee, Frank Rainieri commented that this performance is the result of the close public - private collaboration achieved in Dominican tourism to promote this line of the economy, which has such a direct impact on the reduction of the poverty rate.
Projections of the Travel and Tourism sector towards 2035 are highly positive, the WTTC projects that the sector could contribute more than $29 million to GDP, with an annual growth of 3.3%.
It it estimated that the sector will employ 980.000 people, which would mean the creation of more than 87.000 new jobs in the next ten years with the countrycontinuing to be a leading regional destination in the coming years.
