- David Collado presented the record figures in Santiago
- He highlighted that in April 1,020,646 visitors arrived
In Santiago, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, presented the results of the visitors the country received in April 2025, highlighting that the Dominican Republic hosted 1,020,646 visitors, making it the best April in the country’s entire tourism history.
During the meeting, Collado stressed that this figure represents 55% more visitors than in April 2019, before the pandemic, 18% more than in 2023 and 7% more than in 2024.
90 million pesos given to upgrade areas of Santiago, including the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration.
The official reported that in the January-April period, the country received 4,369,288 visitors, which represents a growth of 50% compared to 2019, with 3,069,832 of them arriving by air and 1,299,456 by cruise ships.
The official announced that Punta Cana continues to be the main gateway, concentrating 64% of tourists, followed by Las Américas (19%) and Cibao airport (9%), which was the fastest growing in 2024. Puerto Plata, La Romana and Samaná also continue to recover.
“Tourism in the Dominican Republic is experiencing its best moment. Today we are a global example of recovery, innovation and growth”
David Collado – Minister of Tourism
Source markets
As for the source markets, he indicated that the United States continues to lead with 42% of visitors, although with a slight 5% decrease. Canada accounted for 22% while Argentina registered a 98% growth in the first four months of the year, consolidating itself as one of the most dynamic markets along with Colombia, Brazil, Italy and Mexico.
Collado said that the average stay of foreigners was 8 days, with 81% staying in hotels.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that non-resident Dominicans stayed an average of 20 days, which also has a positive impact on the local economy, especially in sectors such as agriculture, where purchases worth more than 1,600 million pesos were generated.
During the presentation, Collado also reported that Holy Week 2025 was the best recorded in history, with 200,889 tourists by air, hotel occupancy above 85% and an economic spill of more than 242 million dollars.
He highlighted the diversification of local tourism, with more than 60% of visitors participating in activities outside the hotel, including visits to Saona Island, the Colonial City, excursions, as well as gastronomic experiences that exceeded the expectations of 75% of tourists.
394 cruise ships in four months
The Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) reported that the country managed to move towards the goal of breaking the barrier of three million cruise passengers this year with the arrival of 394 cruise ships in the first four months of 2025.
The head of the institution, Jean Luis Rodríguez, stressed that a significant part of the cruise ships received in this period correspond to large-scale ships, including several Oasis Class, the largest category in the world.
A press release indicated that these ships, with capacity for more than 6,000 passengers, are successfully docking in ports such as Cabo Rojo, in Pedernales, thanks to the structural improvements promoted by the current administration.
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