- Tourism Expected to Generate US$21.1 Billion for the Dominican Economy in 2025
- An Annual Growth Rate of 3.3% Is Projected Through 2035
In 2024, 876,100 jobs were linked to the tourism sector.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that by the end of 2025, tourism will contribute US$21.1 billion to the Dominican Republic’s economy, accounting for 15.8% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
During a breakfast briefing with the media, Roxana Puente, the regional manager of the organization, explained that this figure represents a 3.3% increase in the sector’s contributions compared to 2024, and a 22.9% increase compared to 2019.
According to the analysis by the WTTC research team and Oxford Economics, tourism-related jobs are expected to rise to 892,700 in 2025—an increase of 1.9% compared to 2024, and 11.7% compared to the pre-pandemic period.
“All these growth trends, especially considering that 2019 was one of the strongest years for tourism prior to the pandemic downturn, represent historic numbers,” Puente stated.
Spending by international visitors is expected to exceed US$11.4 billion, while spending by domestic tourists is projected to reach US$4.1 billion in 2025.
The Next Decade
In the medium and long term, projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) point to sustained growth. By the year 2035, the tourism sector in the Dominican Republic is expected to contribute more than US$29.3 billion to the country’s GDP, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.
This expansion will also be reflected in employment, with nearly 980,000 people working in the sector—implying the creation of more than 87,000 new jobs over the next decade.
US$20.5 Billion in 2024
In 2024, tourism in the Dominican Republic contributed US$20.5 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for 16.1% of the country’s economy.
The sector also generated over 876,100 jobs. In terms of spending, international tourism reached US$11.2 billion, while domestic tourism totaled US$3.9 billion.
Diversification of Dominican Tourism
The Dominican tourism industry is undergoing an expansion process that requires a strong commitment to diversifying its offerings beyond the traditional sun-and-beach model—a trend that more and more countries are embracing.
Aguie Lendor, Executive Vice President of Asonahores, emphasized that the Dominican Republic now receives over 11 million visitors per year, which has prompted authorities to broaden the country’s tourism offerings.
She pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism has launched destination-specific campaigns, aligning each region with its unique strengths, thus reinforcing the national diversification strategy.
“Santo Domingo continues to position itself as a destination for historical tourism, business tourism, convention tourism, religious tourism, and has great potential for entertainment,” Lendor stated.
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