Standing in front of a screen displaying 1,083,448 visitors, Minister David Collado presented the results for July 2026. Behind this record-breaking tourism figure in the Dominican Republic, authorities want to highlight concrete impacts on employment, suppliers, and government revenue. But the figures also reveal a concentration of arrivals in just a few regions.
A New Milestone Reached in July
The Dominican Republic welcomed 921,718 tourists arriving by air and 161,730 cruise ship passengers in July, for a total of 1,083,448 visitors. This figure represents a 2.9% increase compared to July 2025, a 6.4% increase compared to 2024, and a 60.6% increase compared to 2019.
In the first seven months of 2026, the country welcomed a total of 7,700,118 visitors: 5,885,259 arrived by air and 1,814,859 by sea. The cumulative total is 7% higher than in 2025 and 10.4% higher than in 2024. Tourism in the Dominican Republic thus confirms a growth trend that is not based on a single exceptional month.
Punta Cana accounts for 58% of air arrivals
This is a national record, but the distribution remains uneven. In July, Punta Cana Airport handled 537,204 passengers, accounting for 58% of all air arrivals. Las Américas received 219,494 passengers, or 24%, while Cibao handled 119,662, or 13%. Puerto Plata accounted for 3%, compared with 1% each for La Romana and Samaná.
This breakdown highlights Punta Cana’s significance to tourism in the Dominican Republic. However, other destinations are also experiencing strong activity. Nationwide hotel occupancy reached 76%, with 92% in Bayahíbe, 83% in La Romana, 82% in Miches, and 80% in the Bávaro–Punta Cana area.
183,000 jobs generated by occupied rooms
Authorities estimate that hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs and that approximately 605,000 people depend economically on the tourism industry. The kitchen is the largest source of hotel jobs, with 42,460 positions. Restaurants account for 28,991, and bars for 14,443.
In addition to these occupations are services, maintenance, security, tours, transportation, and retail. Yanira Eusebio, a beverage vendor on Guayacanes Beach, explained that the renovation of her sales stand and customer service training had helped her increase her income. Her story serves as a reminder that tourism in the Dominican Republic is not limited to hotel resorts.
Salaries, Suppliers, and Taxes
In July, the total payroll for hotels reached 4.77 billion Dominican pesos. Purchases from suppliers totaled 11.59 billion, or more than 374 million pesos per day. The sector also paid 8.729 billion pesos in taxes, according to data presented by the ministry.
The supply chain amplifies these benefits. According to Deputy Minister Jacqueline Mora, 92% of the farmland that supplies hotel kitchens is located outside the Eastern Region. Consequently, a portion of the spending generated by tourism in the Dominican Republic benefits producers located far from the popular beaches.
Do visitors leave the hotels?
Six out of ten tourists reportedly participated in activities outside their accommodations, including excursions, tours, snorkeling, or buggy rides. This tourism activity can support tour guides, transportation providers, restaurant owners, and small businesses. It also allows visitors to explore regions and cultural heritage sites beyond the scope of an all-inclusive vacation. Satisfaction levels remain high: an average of 4.4 out of 5, with 91% of respondents saying they would like to return and 59% stating they would recommend the destination.
What the record doesn't show yet
These results illustrate the sector’s economic strength, but not its full distribution. They do not specify job stability, wages by occupation, or the share of revenue retained in each municipality. Nor do they measure the impacts on housing, water, waste management, or coastal areas. The next challenge for tourism in the Dominican Republic will therefore be to transform record visitor numbers into sustainable value. After 1,083,448 visitors in July, the question is no longer just how many people are arriving, but how many local communities, workers, and businesses are thriving alongside them.
The Dominican Republic welcomed 1,083,448 visitors in July 2026. This total includes 921,718 tourists arrived by air and 161,730 cruise passengers.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs. In July 2026, they are said to have paid 4.77 billion pesos in wages, purchased 11.59 billion pesos in goods and services from suppliers, and generated 8.729 billion pesos in taxes.
Punta Cana remains the country’s main gateway for tourists. In July 2026, its airport welcomed 537,204 passengers, or 58% of air arrivals, ahead of Las Américas with 24% and Cibao with 13%.
