Dominican Republic reports record tourism trade fair and falling inflation

The Dominican Republic is seeing significant economic activity within its tourism and hospitality sectors. The 38th Asonahores Commercial Exhibition recently concluded in Punta Cana, setting a record with 323 occupied spaces and over 5,000 visitors. According to Asonahores, 85% of participating companies were returning exhibitors, highlighting strong business confidence. The tourism sector currently contributes approximately 15% to the national GDP and generates over US$11 billion in foreign exchange. Hotel sector local purchases exceed RD$200 billion annually, while payroll costs reach approximately RD$60 billion.

In terms of macroeconomic indicators, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic reported that annual inflation fell to 5.13% in August 2026, marking a second consecutive month of decline. This trend shows a gradual convergence toward the target range of 4.0% ± 1.0%. While core inflation also decreased to 4.76%, certain sectors like education saw monthly increases due to the start of the school year.

Additionally, the hospitality landscape continues to evolve with new developments, including the debut of the Hyatt Vivid brand in Punta Cana and the integration of Casas del XVI into the IHG Vignette Collection. However, environmental concerns remain, as experts note that rapid coastal development poses a threat to migratory shorebirds by causing habitat loss in wetlands and mangroves.