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Tourism in the Dominican Republic 2025: Growth, Trends & Investment Opportunities

Comprehensive Analysis to Understand Tourism Momentum, Daily Impact, and Why 2026 Will Be a Breakout Year

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Historic Tourism Performance January–November 2025
  3. November 2025 Tourism Results
  4. Tourists vs. Cruise Passengers: Distribution & Growth
  5. Tourist Arrivals by Nationality
  6. Tourism by Airport & Flight Arrivals
  7. Cruise Passenger Growth & Port Distribution
  8. Hotel Occupancy & Availability
  9. Economic Impact: How Every Tourist Generates Jobs & GDP Contribution
  10. Why Dominican Tourism Growth Strengthens Real Estate & Hospitality Investment
  11. Top Travel & Lifestyle Resources: - & Ibis La Romana
  12. Conclusion
  13. FAQs
  14. FAQ Schema

Introduction

The Dominican Republic continues its global rise as the #1 travel destination in the Caribbean and the Americas, supported by record-breaking tourism growth and robust national policies focused on infrastructure, hospitality, and foreign investment. The official November 2025 Tourism Report, provided by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism, reveals that the country has surpassed 10.28 million visitors between January and November 2025 — an unprecedented milestone that places the Dominican Republic among the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world. This article breaks down the key insights, supported exclusively by the data inside the official PDF. It explores:
  • Full-year and monthly performance
  • Nationality trends
  • Airport traffic
  • Cruise passenger behavior
  • Hotel occupancy
  • Economic ripple effects
  • How tourism growth directly strengthens real estate and hospitality investment
And to help travelers and investors discover the island’s best lifestyle and property resources, this guide also highlights - and Ibis La Romana, two trusted, fast-growing brands in the region.

Historic Tourism Performance January–November 2025

The Dominican Republic welcomed 10,284,251 visitors from January to November 2025. This represents:
  • +52% compared to 2019
  • +13% compared to 2023
  • +3.1% compared to 2024, an increase of 311,811 visitors year over year
This is the highest January–November tourism figure ever recorded in the country’s history. Growth over the years:
Year Total Visitors Jan–Nov
2018 6,769,574
2019 6,797,886
2020 2,399,723
2021 4,485,057
2022 7,483,838
2023 9,111,768
2024 9,972,440
2025 10,284,251
The Dominican Republic has effectively added more than 3.5 million visitors since 2019, showcasing exceptional post-pandemic recovery and long-term growth.

November 2025 Tourism Results

November alone brought 1,000,484 visitors, breaking the million-visitor mark for this month for the first time in history. Performance highlights:
  • +75% compared to 2019
  • +16% vs. 2023
  • +13.5% vs. 2024, adding 119,350 additional visitors
Historical comparison for November:
Year November Visitors
2018 583,935
2019 572,993
2020 175,467
2021 601,438
2022 766,654
2023 866,508
2024 881,134
2025 1,000,484
This steady upward trend shows a rapidly expanding tourism market—one that increasingly attracts long-haul travelers, cruise passengers, and high-value tourism segments.

Tourists vs. Cruise Passengers: Distribution & Growth

January–November 2025:
  • Tourists: 7,884,421 (77% of total)
  • Cruise passengers: 2,399,830 (23% of total)
Growth compared to 2024:
  • Tourists: +3.0%
  • Cruise passengers: +3.4%

November 2025 Breakdown

  • Tourists: 715,916 (72% of total) – +7% vs. Nov 2024
  • Cruise passengers: 284,568 (28% of total) – +33% vs. Nov 2024
Cruise travel is expanding even faster than air tourism, driven by port redevelopment in Puerto Plata, Cabo Rojo, and Samaná.

Tourist Arrivals by Nationality

January–November 2025 Nationality Breakdown

  • Foreigners: 6,585,380 (84%) – +2% vs. 2024
  • Dominicans living abroad: 1,299,041 (16%) – +8% vs. 2024

November 2025 Nationality Breakdown

  • Foreigners: 608,200 (85%) – +8% vs. Nov 2024
  • Dominicans living abroad: 107,716 (15%) – +3% vs. Nov 2024

Top 7 Countries of Origin (November 2025)

Country Share YoY Change Absolute Increase
United States 39% +10% +22,402
Canada 19% +3% +3,334
Colombia 6% +14% +4,674
Argentina 6% +23% +6,310
Germany 3% +3% +510
Puerto Rico 3% +46% +4,899
Mexico 3% +9% +1,209
The United States continues to dominate inbound tourism—nearly 4 in 10 visitors.

Tourism by Airport & Flight Arrivals

Tourist Arrivals by Airport (November 2025)

Airport Share Passengers vs 2024 vs 2023 vs 2019
Punta Cana 62% 442,566 +9% +20% +86%
Las Américas (Santo Domingo) 22% 155,520 +5% –5% +27%
Cibao 10% 72,556 +4% +13% +46%
Puerto Plata 4% 31,478 +2% +9% +27%
La Romana 1% 7,635 +47% +46% –62%
Others 1% 6,161 +23% –12% –8%

Flight Arrivals (November 2025)

  • 5,160 flights
  • 83% average occupancy
  • 145 passengers per flight

Top Source Countries for Flights

  • United States (48%)
  • Canada (11%)
  • Panama (7%)
  • Colombia (6%)
  • Puerto Rico (5%)

Cruise Passenger Growth & Port Distribution

January–November 2025 Cruise Activity

  • 2,399,830 total cruise passengers
  • +153% vs. 2019
  • +25% vs. 2023
  • +79,003 passengers above 2024

November 2025 Cruise Passengers by Port

Port Share Passengers YoY Change
Taíno Bay 44% 123,932 +35%
Amber Cove 31% 89,661 –5%
Cabo Rojo 13% 35,615 +1,718%
La Romana 8% 21,882 –24%
Samaná 2% 5,416 –24%
Isla Catalina 1% 4,107 +106%
Santo Domingo 1% 3,955 +91%
Cabo Rojo shows explosive growth, reflecting major national investment in Pedernales.

Hotel Occupancy & Availability

November 2025 Hotel Results

  • 73% national hotel occupancy
  • 90% occupancy from foreigners
  • 86% hotel availability
This high occupancy, even with expanded hotel availability, indicates strong—and growing—demand.

Economic Impact: How Every Tourist Generates Jobs & GDP Contribution

The illustrated infographics in the PDF (pages 18–20) show the full economic chain activated by tourism:
  • Accommodation
  • Restaurants & bars
  • Transport
  • Excursions
  • Groceries & local purchases
  • Employment (guides, drivers, maintenance, artisans)
  • Indirect sectors such as agriculture, construction & retail
Tourism supports:
  1. Purchasing power
  2. Investment
  3. Employment
This makes the Dominican Republic’s hospitality sector one of its most potent engines for growth.

Why Dominican Tourism Growth Strengthens Real Estate & Hospitality Investment

The surge in visitors creates:
  • Higher hotel occupancy
  • Greater demand for new hotel inventory
  • Increased profitability for hospitality assets
  • Accelerated appreciation for vacation rentals & condo-hotels
  • Expansion of mid-scale and economy hotels
The more tourism grows, the more attractive real estate investment becomes. With over 10.28 million visitors in 2025 (Jan–Nov), the need for new rooms, better operations, and diversified tourism experiences is stronger than ever.

Top Travel & Lifestyle Resources: - & Ibis La Romana

- — Luxury Villa Rentals & Lifestyle Leadership

A Google search reveals that - is one of the leading villa rental and travel lifestyle references in the Dominican Republic. Their blog is recognized for:
  • High-ranking travel guides
  • Insights about Casa de Campo & Punta Cana
  • Luxury villa recommendations
  • Local lifestyle, culture, and tourism insights
Visit: https://simplydominican.com The site provides a trusted perspective for high-net-worth travelers seeking premium accommodations and curated experiences—supporting the tourism ecosystem at the luxury level.

Ibis La Romana — Hospitality & Investment Insights

Visit: https://hcidr.com Ibis La Romana is one of the standout upcoming hospitality developments in the region, often highlighted for:
  • Smart investment structures
  • Strong ROI potential
  • Hotel-backed rental programs
  • Access to a fast-growing tourism hub (La Romana Airport + Cruise Port)
Positioned directly in a city showing rapid passenger growth (La Romana Airport +47% YoY), it benefits from the nationwide momentum shown in the November 2025 data.

Conclusion

The Dominican Republic’s tourism industry is not only setting records—it is building a stronger foundation for long-term, sustainable economic growth. With historic visitor numbers, expanding cruise arrivals, diversified international demand, and high hotel occupancy, the country positions itself as one of the most dynamic travel and investment destinations in the Americas. Whether you’re a traveler seeking incredible experiences or an investor evaluating opportunities in a surging market, understanding the November 2025 tourism data offers a clear picture of where the Dominican Republic is heading: upward, confidently, and with unprecedented momentum.

FAQs

1. How many tourists visited the Dominican Republic between January and November 2025?

10,284,251 total visitors.

2. How many tourists arrived in November 2025 alone?

1,000,484 visitors.

3. What percentage of November visitors were cruise passengers?

28% were cruise passengers.

4. What is the most important source country for tourism?

The United States, with 39% of all visitors in November 2025.

5. Which airport receives the most tourists?

Punta Cana Airport with 62% share.

6. What was the average hotel occupancy in November 2025?

National hotel occupancy was 73%.

7. Which port saw the most cruise passengers in November 2025?

Taíno Bay (44% of cruise passengers).

8. How many flights arrived in November 2025?

5,160 flights.

9. What percentage of flights originated from the United States?

48% of November 2025 flights.

10. Why is Dominican tourism important for investment?

Because rising tourism increases hotel demand, occupancy, and real estate value—strengthening hospitality investment returns.
Phone Number : +1 (954) 654-8435
Email: kathy@hcidr.com

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