The acting Consul General stated that the Dominican Republic is a great partner for the United States, and that’s why they are working together to improve security in tourist areas. Yomaris Macdonald, the acting Consul General of the United States in Santo Domingo, affirmed that the Dominican Republic is a very safe tourist destination, which is why visitors from the United States have been increasing in recent years.
The United States is the leading source country of tourists to the Dominican Republic, with more than four million tourists each year.
In 2023, out of the total number of non-resident tourists who arrived in the country, Americans represented 47%, marking a growth of 22%. In March 2024 alone, the United States contributed 49% of tourists.
Macdonald mentioned that the Dominican Republic is a great partner for the United States, and that’s why they are working together to improve security in tourist zones. She detailed that last year they conducted a series of training sessions and workshops in Punta Cana, Santiago, Las Terrenas, and other areas, in collaboration with the Tourist Police (Politur) and the prosecutor’s office, aiming to work together to protect American citizens who come to the Dominican Republic.
She recalled that in February, an agreement was signed with the Consulate of the United States in the country, Politur, and the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) to further strengthen relations and create a protocol for handling potential events involving American citizens, as well as the timely exchange of information among the different parties about American tourists in the country.
She emphasized the importance of this, as Americans are increasingly venturing out of hotels and exploring the country on their own. She mentioned that issues such as medical emergencies, minor thefts, or scams can arise, with scams being one of the most common, especially through dating apps.
Macdonald stated that they have offices in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana to assist Americans.
On another note, the American consul affirmed that in the coming months, the waiting time for tourist visa applications for Dominicans traveling to the United States will be reduced because they will be hiring more staff for that area. She said they particularly open more appointments on Wednesdays.
Last year, they processed over 275,000 tourist visa applications and 70,000 for residencies. This year, they expect to process over 300,000 applications. There are currently more than 500,000 Americans residing in the Dominican Republic.
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