He sports tourism has become one of the fastest growing trends worldwide and the Dominican Republic It has all the elements to lead the Central American region and the insular Caribbean. However, the country has not yet capitalized on its potential.
This is what he says Yerik Perezpresident and founding member of the Dominican Association of Sports Tourism (Adoturd), who assures that the country is facing “its best moment” for transform events sports in a profitable industrysustainable and measurable.
Although 10% of tourism worldwide is driven by sports, in Dominican Republic Only 2% of visitors arrive motivated by sports activities, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Tourism.
“That speaks of the great potential that we have to capitalize on sports tourism”says Pérez.
Measure to demonstrate impact
For Pérez, the first step to capitalize on this industry is measure the real economic impact of each sports activity massive.
Give as an example ocean manan international open water swimming event that brought together 1,250 athletesof which 82% were foreigners. Added to their companions, they generated more than 3,000 tourists in a single weekend in Bayahibe.
Pérez explains that when this impact is demonstrated with data, then you can attract investmentjustify state support and convince the private sector to replicate it.
Turn events into complete experiences
He sports tourist has a average expense greater than the traditional tourist because he consumes restaurants, hotels, transportation, extra activities and local culture.
Pérez indicates that people not only come for the competencethey come for everything that lives outside of it, that experience to know beyond the field, the town and the country where the event was held.
The Eastern region has already given clear signs of what works: PGA Tourchildren’s tournaments baseball and soccer, ATP 2050 (tennis), international exhibitions, and events such as the Mediterranean International Cup (Barça Academy). These events fill hotels, move transportation, and generate local consumption.
But Pérez points out that the missing step is standardize and measureto then export that model to the North, South and Greater Santo Domingo.
Baseball: tourist product that RD has not yet packed
Although Dominican Republic is world power of the baseball with 155 players placed last season in the Major Leagues and houses academies of the 30 organizations of the Major League Baseballthe country has not capitalized on that asset as a tourist destination.
Pérez explains that in USA Thousands of South Koreans and Japanese travel just to see the Spring Training (spring training). A part of that public, he says, would be willing to come to the country if there was a tourist proposal structured.
Furthermore, Dominican legends such as David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez and Vladimir Guerrero They are icons that generate as much interest internationally as great footballers or basketball players.
Pérez comments that the country has many tourist experiences that can be created to attract an audience, but that it takes a good marketing. He insists that Dominican Republic It is a destination that can be exploited with a focus on baseball.
Pérez understands that the Dominican Republic has conditions that lend themselves to replicate experiences successful sports destinations like Miami or Mexico.
Pérez is a lawyer who graduated with honors in 2008 from UNIBE (where he is a professor) with a master’s degree in corporate law (PUCMM) and a specialty in international arbitration at the University of Miami. He joined the MLB office in Santo Domingo in 2009 as an assistant, went through departments such as research, and between 2018 and last May he served as general director, the eyes of the league in the main supplier of international talent to the circuit.
Upon leaving the MLB he founded Canvas Strategy Consulting and since June he has served as special advisor to the Senate of the Republic. The Dominican Sports Tourism Association (Adoturd) promotes initiatives focused on the development of the Dominican sports industry from both the public and private sectors.
The advantages that the DR offers to sports tourism
Yerik Perez points out the advantages of Dominican Republic he warm weather all year round, the strategic location in the Caribbean, the flexible visa (entry with European or American visa), beaches, mountains and cities capable of hosting very diverse sports.
It aims to have one of the most efficient airport systems in the Caribbean, with direct flights from North America, Europe and South America is a plus that reduce costsshortens travel times and facilitates the arrival of athletes, companions and organizing teams.
With more than 90,000 rooms and constant growth, the country offers solutions for athletes, families, technical teams and organizers. The Dominican hotel industry is a strategic asset for sporting events.
Destinations like miches, FlintsPunta Brigantín, Bayahibe and the North Coast expand hotel capacity and allow the sports tourism is distributed territorially.
Pérez affirms that the country has a lot to offer and the year 2026 It will be unprecedented in sports tourism history due to the number of large-scale events. But Pérez clarifies that it is not enough to have large events. The key is to turn that exposure into repeatable business.
The calendar of 2026 -with the World Classicthe game Barça–Real Madrid and the Central American Games and the Caribbean—will be the great showcase of the country.
”There is a momentthere is a fertile groundjust touch take action and take advantage of it.”
The Adoturd was created precisely to unite what was previously dispersed: federations, clubs, hotels, organizers, tour operators and public sector.
The importance of sports tourism It is already recognized by key players in the sector. Proof of this is that Asonahores dedicated his Annual Forum of Tourism Investment on the subject, with specialized panels that analyzed opportunities, challenges and the economic potential of sport as a driver of development.
