The goal of 10 million visitors was surpassed. The final figure for 2023 was 10,366,517. More than 8 million by air and more than 2.2 million on cruise ships. This is 23% more than in 2018, 25% more than in 2019, and 12% more than in 2022. To understand the relevance of this important progress, we must record that on a global scale, tourism decreased by 4%.
Since surpassing the goal of 10 million is a story already known, it is more interesting to begin to unpack the meaning and the impact that this important achievement has had on the economy.
To speak of the economy, the tourism sector (identified as hotels, bars, and restaurants in the official statistics of the Central Bank), grew by 10.9% last year and is responsible for 41% of the growth of the economy, according to the latest report cut to last September.
The figure for the sector’s formal purchases in the country, estimated from data from the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, reached RD$352,236 million, 59% more than in 2018, 47% more than in 2019, and 13% more than in 2022. Of this significant sum RD$175,695 million corresponds to hotels.
The month in which the lowest figure for formal tourism sector purchases was reported was January with RD$26,614 million and the highest was December with RD$33,805 million. Airlines spent RD$13,919 million and travel agencies RD$28,39 million.
Formal jobs in tourism reached 183,373. Of these 100,294 in hotels and 57,753 in restaurants. Altagracia province has the highest figure (receiving more than 60% of tourists) with 78,714 jobs and is followed by the National District with 38,664. Employment grew by 3.8% compared to 2019 and 6,138 tourism businesses were registered.
Foreign exchange production was US$19,739 million and advertising expenditure was US$60 million, a big difference comparing 2019’s advertising investment of US$74.97 million with an income of US$7,348 million.
The level of tourist satisfaction recorded by the survey (324 thousand respondents) was 4.4 out of 5; 91% said they would return to the country and 60% would recommend the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination. In our main market, the United States, and in the second, Canada, satisfaction is 4.4. In the list of the top 10 markets are Chile and Colombia and satisfaction in both is 4.5. In Germany and the United Kingdom, it is 4.3 and in the rest of the countries, it is 4.3.
The survey reports Punta Cana as the most visited destination by 42% of those surveyed. Forty-seven percent visited the country for the first time, and 95% would repeat the visit.
Criticism is never lacking, but these results speak very well of our tourism offer, of the Tourism Cabinet, of President Luis Abinader, and Minister David Collado and his team. Well done. This is a reminder that it is easier to get to the top than stay there.
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