With almost 12 million visitors by 2025, the Dominican Republic is set to become Latin America’s second-largest tourist destination, just behind Mexico. The announcement was made on February 27, 2026 by Luis Abinader during his State of the Nation address on the occasion of Independence Day.
Behind this figure – over 11.7 million visitors to be precise – lie major economic, geopolitical and structural challenges for a region of 11.5 million inhabitants. Tourism performance contrasts with a slowdown in economic growth, from 5.1% in 2024 to 2.1% in 2025.
11.7 million visitors: a performance on a national scale
According to the Dominican Head of State, 2025 will see annual growth of 4.3%, i.e. almost 500,000 more visitors than in 2024, and over 4 million more than in 2019. One indicator is particularly striking: the country now receives more than one visitor per inhabitant. Few destinations achieve this ratio. In the Caribbean and Latin American space, this places the Dominican Republic in the category of the world’s major tourist powers. The country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, thus confirms its position as a major hub for regional tourism.
Cruises: over 3 million passengers
This performance is not based solely on air tourism. The Dominican Republic welcomed over 3 million cruise passengers in 2025, representing 6% growth over 2024. This maritime dynamic consolidates the country’s position on Caribbean itineraries. It also boosts indirect economic spin-offs: excursions, catering, port services and logistics.
Dominican tourism thus relies on a double strength:
- – seaside resorts with high hotel capacity,
- – the rise of cruise ports.
Punta Cana and Santo Domingo: two structuring pillars
The Dominican Republic’s international reputation remains closely linked to its beaches, particularly those of Punta Cana in the east of the country. The all-inclusive model remains dominant, structured around large hotel complexes. Conversely, Santo Domingo offers a different view of the country, based on its colonial architecture and World Heritage-listed historic center. This seaside/heritage duality enables the destination to diversify its appeal.
It is precisely this combination that explains the resilience of the Dominican model: a massive offer, but also a cultural dimension that can be exploited.
Economic growth slows sharply
While tourism is posting record figures, the Dominican economy is marking time. Growth has fallen to 2.1% in 2025, from 5.1% in 2024, below even the 2.5% forecast by the central bank. However, the President noted that by January 2026, growth had already reached 3.5%, with a projection of 4.5% for the current year.
This discrepancy between tourism performance and the global slowdown raises a central question: can tourism alone sustain national growth?
The technological gamble: agreement with Google and space ambitions
During his speech, Luis Abinader mentioned an agreement worth over 500 million dollars signed with Google for the construction of the first international digital exchange port in Latin America. This project positions the Dominican Republic in the strategic field of digital infrastructures.
Even more symbolic was the announcement that no rocket or satellite would be launched from Dominican territory before 2028. This statement reflects the country’s determination to pursue a path of technological innovation that goes beyond tourism.
French market: a strategic objective
Around 150,000 French people visit the Dominican Republic every year. The French market is considered a priority, with a target of 260,000 French visitors by 2026. The resumption of direct flights by Air France reinforces this ambition. The country is also counting on the presence of the world’s largest Club Med on its territory to attract European customers.
For the wider Caribbean, this orientation confirms a strategic repositioning: consolidating Europe as a stable issuing market in the face of North American fluctuations.
Latin America's second-biggest destination: a strategic turning point
Becoming Latin America’s second-largest tourist destination is not just a political slogan. It’s a structural marker. With over 11.7 million visitors, annual growth of 4.3%, more than 3 million cruise passengers and an exceptional visitor/inhabitant ratio, the Dominican Republic has confirmed its status as a Caribbean powerhouse. But the year 2025 also shows that tourism performance does not automatically guarantee equivalent economic expansion.
The Dominican Republic welcomed over 11.7 million visitors in 2025, representing annual growth of 4.3%. This volume places the country just behind Mexico and confirms its status as a regional tourism powerhouse.
The country has registered over 3 million cruise passengers in 2025, up 6% on 2024. Marine tourism is a major pillar of the country’s tourism economy.
Despite record tourism performance, economic growth is forecast at 2.1% in 2025, compared with 5.1% in 2024. Projections for 2026 point to a rebound to around 4.5%.
