Dominican Republic tourism reaches 9.2 million visitors through September

The Dominican Republic has seen significant growth in its tourism sector, receiving over 9.2 million visitors between January and September 2026. This represents a 7.5% increase compared to 2025. Of these visitors, approximately 7.1 million arrived by air and 2.1 million arrived via maritime routes. Tourism Minister David Collado projected that the country could exceed 12.4 million visitors by the end of 2026.

In Puerto Plata, the cruise industry is expanding, highlighted by the inaugural visit of the Disney Dream to the Taíno Bay terminal. This arrival marks the first time Disney Cruise Line has included the Dominican Republic in its itineraries. In September alone, the country saw a 54.7% increase in cruise passengers.

To support this growth, the Ministry of Tourism is investing heavily in local infrastructure. In the Maimón district of Puerto Plata, over RD$168 million is being allocated for the reconstruction and paving of 14 streets covering 7.4 kilometers. Additionally, work is progressing on the renovation of Playa Mino in Río San Juan with an investment of approximately RD$33.9 million. These projects are part of a broader strategy to improve mobility and quality of life in tourist destinations.