The strengthening of the connectivity aerial and the construction of more rooms hotel companies are the two main challenges that the tourism Dominican If you want to raise the bar and break the 12.5 million mark tourists in 2025.
The approach was made today by minister of Tourism, David Colladoafter receiving the Canadian tourist Bruce Pirt upon his arrival at Punta Cana International Airportand which symbolically represents the 11 millionth visitor to the country, exceeding the goal set in 2023 by more than one million visitors.
When speaking to the press, Collado stated that this December will culminate with 860,000 passengers by air -much more than the average 700,000 that arrive per month-, which would allow the country to exceed 11.2 million visitors three days before the end of 2024.
Connectivity aerial: “the strategy major”
Collado assured that, to reach the projection of 12.5 million visitors by 2025, the expansion of the connectivity air will be “the strategy “principal” of the Government, which it considers will be achieved through the recently signed agreements of open skies with USA and Argentina.
He highlighted the signing of the Agreement Heavens open with the United States, achieved before the end of 2024, and after more than 25 years of negotiations to achieve it.
“We are a pro-business, pro-entrepreneurship country with respect for free competition, but flights are extremely expensive for our country, especially for the Dominican diaspora (…), Open Skies will not lower tickets, but it will generate greater competitiveness, allowing lines like Sky High to go to other routes in the United States without prior permission.”The Minister of Tourism
As an example, Collado cited that this December alone, the flights to and from Canada (the second largest emitter of tourists to the Dominican Republic) were up to 25% higher.
Reduce up to 30% fee
Although the minister of Tourism indicated that the prices will depend on free competition, he pointed out Free Diary that the signature of Heavens open It could lead to air tickets dropping up to 30% in price or, at least, that is what is expected.
He pointed out that this percentage has been the average by which the prices in Latin American destinations such as Argentina, Brazil or Colombia, after the entry of the airline low-cost Arajet to this market.
In North America, the cost remains high. As an example, he indicated that a ticket for a family of five from Texas, United States, to the Dominican Republic could cost up to $6,500an extremely high price compared to competitors like Mexico, whose tickets can cost just $1,100.
Increase the supply of hotels
Collado pointed out that the construction of more rooms hotels to increase the ability of the tourism industry to accommodate more touristsas the country attracts a greater volume of visitors.
“All the hotels from the east, in the high season, they are full abilitymore than 95 percent,” he explained.
This must be accompanied by a greater strengthening of the infrastructure tourism and citizen security, although he stressed that the country continues to be one of the safest destinations for tourists travel in the Caribbean region.