The Dominican Republic reached a historical record in 2025 of 11,676,901 visitorsthe result of a profound and sustained transformation of the tourism sector in recent five yearsThe Minister of Tourism reported this Thursday, David Colladowhen presenting the results of the industry’s performance between January and December of the year just ended.
When announcing the figures in a hotel in the capital, Collado explained that the arrival of visitors During 2025 it represented a growth of 37.8% compared to 2022, 13.3% compared to 2023 and 4.3% compared to 2024, thus consolidating the better performance of the history of dominican tourism.
The official explained that due to the airway the country received 8,861,169 touristswhich represents an increase of 23.7% compared to 2022, 10% compared to 2023 and 3.8% compared to 2024.
Meanwhile, for the seathe growth was even more notable, with the arrival of 2,815,732 cruise passengerswhich represents an increase of 114.6% compared to 2022, 25.3% compared to 2023 and 6% compared to 2024.
“These arrivals, both for airway as maritime, marked another historical annual record for the country, by receiving 11,676,901 visitors“said Collado.
air arrivals
The minister also reported that only in December 2025 did the country receive 1,392,649 visitorswhich reflects a growth of 40.5% compared to 2022, 16.6% compared to 2023 and 14.2% compared to 2024. Of that total, 976,747 arrived by airway and 415,902 for sea.
“We are approaching million tourists by air in a single month“said Collado about the December results, defining it as a growth of almost 50% compared to the trend observed in the years prior to the pandemic.
The main countries of origin of visitors during the period were USACanada, Argentina and Colombia.
Punta Cana
Regarding distribution by air terminals, the airports that received the most tourists in 2025 were Punta Canawith 51%; The Americas, with 28%; Cibao, with 12%; Puerto Plata, with 4%; El Higüero, with 2.5%; and La Romana, also with 2.5%.
As the main destination visited by tourists, the Punta Cana Airport registered a year-on-year growth 8% last year, being the main entry route for 5.4 million passengers, 61% of all air tourists.
Hotel occupancy and tourist satisfaction
Collado also reported that the hotel occupancy exceeded 71% throughout the year, while tourist satisfaction levels reached 4.4 points out of 5.
“It is important to highlight that, despite the adversities derived from the international situation, the dominican tourism registered the further growth of its history,” the minister stressed.
“In five years we have silently transformed the dominican tourism“said the minister.
He third destination of cruises in the Caribbean
Last year, the Dominican Republic also stood out with the arrival of 2,815,732 cruise passengers159,427 people more than the 2,656,305 visitors, for a growth of 6%.
Blackberry asserted that the country could have reached 3 million visitors, had it not been for the cancellations of scheduled maritime routes during the year – October being one of the most significant due to the passage of the Tropical Storm Melissa–.
“We are the third destination of the Caribbeanafter Bahamas and Cozumel“he asserted Blackberrywho indicated that prior to the pandemic it was the seventh destination in the Caribbeana reality that has been reversed to the benefit of the industry thanks to its strengthening and promotion.
Red Capethe newest cruise port of all, has already surpassed 176,690 cruise passengers in 2025 after receiving 42 maritime operations, ranking fourth among all ports of entry, for a growth of 1,420% compared to 2024, the year of its inauguration and installation of the new shipping lines.
