Tourexpi
Dominican Republic’s Tourism Sector Projected to Generate Over US$21 Billion
This
would represent 15.8% of the country's total economy, reflecting sustained
growth and resilience in one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant tourism markets.
According
to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), conducted in partnership with
Oxford Economics, this projected growth marks a 3.3% year-on-year increase and
highlights the Dominican Republic’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism
development.
The
WTTC estimates that nearly 893,000 people will be employed in the sector by the
end of 2025, accounting for 17.9% of the national workforce. International
visitor spending is projected to reach US$11.4 billion, while domestic tourism
spending is expected to rise to US$4.1 billion, underscoring the dual
importance of both global appeal and domestic market strength.
A
Look Back at 2024
In
2024, the tourism sector contributed US$20.5 billion to the GDP, making up
16.1% of the national economy. It supported over 876,000 jobs—approximately
17.6% of the country's total employment. That same year, international tourism
spending reached US$11.2 billion, while domestic spending hit US$3.9 billion—up
17.6% and 12.3% respectively compared to 2019 levels.
WTTC
President & CEO Julia Simpson stated:
"The
Dominican Republic continues to show exemplary leadership in the region,
establishing itself as a world-class tourism destination. The 2025 projections
are a testament to a sector that is growing stronger and delivering real
economic and employment benefits. We applaud President Luis Abinader and our
Dominican Members for their vision and commitment."
Frank
Rainieri, Founder and Chairman of Grupo Puntacana and WTTC Executive Committee
Member, added:
"This
performance is the result of close public-private collaboration in Dominican
tourism, driving economic growth and contributing directly to poverty
reduction."
Tourism
Spending and Travel Trends
The
report also revealed that in 2024, leisure travel accounted for 93.7% of total
tourism, while business travel made up 6.3%. The leading source markets were
the United States (39%), Canada (14%), and Colombia (4%).
Tourism
Sector Outlook to 2035
Looking
ahead, the WTTC projects that by 2035, the sector could contribute over US$29
billion to the Dominican GDP, with an annual growth rate of 3.3%. Employment in
the sector is expected to reach nearly 980,000, creating more than 87,000 new
jobs over the next decade.
Regional
Data – The Caribbean Context
In
2024, the Caribbean’s travel and tourism sector contributed US$81.4 billion to
regional GDP—representing 17.6% of the economy and surpassing 2019 levels by
more than 28%. In 2025, this contribution is expected to rise to US$86 billion,
accounting for 18.2% of the regional economy. Employment in the sector is
projected to exceed 3 million jobs, or 16.1% of the total regional workforce.
For
additional data and to access the full technical report, including the latest Environmental
& Social Research (ESR) by the WTTC, please visit the WTTC Research Hub.
Image
Credit: © AA
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