The Dominican Republic is poised for a record-breaking December in its travel and tourism sector, driven primarily by an impressive increase in air arrivals that is breaking previous records. This surge is leading the country toward potentially achieving the highest annual visitor count in its history.
Tourism Minister David Collado announced that from December 1 to December 17, the Dominican Republic welcomed 390,000 air travelers, marking an eleven percent rise from the same period in 2024 and a remarkable sixty percent increase compared to December 2019, prior to the pandemic’s impact on global travel.
Collado made these remarks during an event in Bayahíbe, where officials inaugurated a new parking facility designed to enhance traffic management and pedestrian safety at one of the nation’s favorite beaches. This facility accommodates 58 buses, 157 light vehicles, and 58 motorcycles, reflecting the growing influx of tourists to the La Romana–Bayahíbe region.
The Minister projected that December is likely to emerge as the strongest tourism month ever for the Dominican Republic, with total air arrivals anticipated to exceed 900,000 for the first time within a single month. The growth extends to cruise tourism as well, with more than 400,000 cruise passengers expected to dock in December, setting yet another monthly record. The Port of La Romana, operated by Central Romana, has been integral to the increasing volume of cruise visitors.
Collado emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy revolves around establishing the country as a leading global tourist destination through ongoing investments, innovative practices, and infrastructure improvements, with locations like Bayahíbe playing a pivotal role in this success.
This December surge caps off an already remarkable year for Dominican tourism. January 2025 began with a record high of 1,155,484 visitors, equating to a 53 percent increase from 2019 and an 8 percent year-over-year growth. By the end of March, arrivals had reached 3,348,716, fueled by robust demand in both air travel and cruising.
The positive trend continued into the summer months, with more than 6.14 million visitors recorded from January to June, the highest total for that period in history. By August, cumulative visitor numbers had already surpassed eight million. In November, the Ministry of Tourism revealed that over 10.28 million visitors had traveled to the country within the first eleven months of the year, indicating that arrivals for 2025 will likely exceed eleven million, setting a new all-time high.
The achievements of the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector reflect not only a successful recovery from the pandemic but also a strong and growing appeal as a travel destination, promising a bright future for the industry.