The Dominican Republic continues to break its own tourism records having set another record in February (2023).

The new record was set when the Caribbean destination reported more than 661,000 stay over visitor arrivals. It was the best February in the history of the country, according to Tourism Minister, David Collado. This is a 17 per cent improvement over February 2022 and a 9 per cent increase over February 2019. 

Hotel occupancy numbers are reported as “sizzling” and “standing at 82 per cent in February 2023, while more than 5,070 commercial flights arrived at Dominican airports”. The Caribbean destination is now aiming to meet its 10-year development plan of attaining 10 million visitors over a 10-year period.

That target was set a decade ago when the Dominican Republic articulated its ambitious plan of achieving 10 million annual visitors by the year 2023. It was an ambitious goal only to be impacted by the pandemic but with the accelerated tourism growth by the Dominican Republic, the target is within striking distance.

Ten years ago, 10 million visitors seemed like a dream. However, 10 years later, it seems like only a year or two away, particularly as the country develops new tourism destinations like Miches and more recently, Pedernales. Just over two-thirds of visitors coming to the country vacationed in the broader Punta Cana area (including Punta Cana, Bavaro and Bayahibe) with about eight per cent staying in Santo Domingo with a similar number in Puerto Plata.

Four per cent of those visitors went to La Romana, three per cent in Samana and two per cent in Santiago. New York continues to send more travelers to the Dominican Republic than any source market. 

Last month saw the highest number of cruise passengers of any February in the Dominican Republic’s history, almost tripling the cruise arrival numbers from February 2022, Collado explained.

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