The biggest beneficiary of medical tourism is the Dominican people themselves

International

The Dominican Republic ranks first in the Caribbean, second in Latin America, and 19th worldwide in the Medical Tourism Index.

In 2022, the country welcomed 338,747 international tourists traveling to undergo medical treatment, consolidating its position as one of the world's leading health tourism destinations.

However, more than 80% of these visitors were Dominicans living abroad, especially in the United States, who returned to the country for dental checkups, plastic surgery, and other medical procedures. Low costs, quality of service, and proximity are the main factors motivating their choice.

This growing demand has served as an incentive for medical centers in cities such as Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, Bávaro-Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata to invest in infrastructure and staff training.

These data justify and support the statements made by Diario Libre's Amelia Reyes Mora, vice president of the Dominican Health Tourism Association (ADTS): “The biggest beneficiary of health tourism is not the tourist, it is the Dominican people themselves, because all that infrastructure, all those procedures, all those protocols, are going to benefit those of us who live here.”

According to the aforementioned association, this segment generates seven times more spending than conventional tourism, as they cover more than 90% of the costs out of their own pockets and contribute more than $1.3 billion to the economy in 2022. This impact extends to sectors such as transportation, hospitality, and gastronomy.

The president of the ADTS, Alejandro Cambiaso, and its vice president, Amelia Reyes Mora, emphasize the importance of maintaining high standards of quality and safety. In this regard, they promote local and international accreditation of medical centers, as well as the creation of specialized departments to care for foreign patients and coordinate with international insurance companies.

For the ADTS, attracting more second- and third-generation Dominicans living abroad will depend on strengthening trust and combating negative perceptions, while always guaranteeing safe and quality care.