Dominican Republic Smashes All-Time Tourism Record As Destination Skyrockets In Popularity

Last Updated 3 months ago

New data reveals that Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic are more popular than ever with travelers as the country smashes its all-time arrivals figures, welcoming more than 750,000 travelers to the sunny island in July.

Travel to the tropical nation has been on the rise since the end of the health crisis, with the Dominican Republic reporting back-to-back growth in arrival numbers in recent years.

With the Dominican Republic being one of the trendiest destinations right now for American travelers, here’s the latest on the country’s skyrocketing travel numbers.

Punta Cana Retains Its Position As A Magnet For Travelers As Resorts Fill Up

Summer may be over soon, but traveler interest in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic shows no signs of stopping. New statistics from the country’s Tourism Ministry reveal that a whooping 792,000 international tourists set foot in the sun-drenched country in July alone, a new all-time record.

July was only the third month in the country’s history in which over 700,000 travelers flocked to enjoy the Dominican Republic’s warm weather and excellent beaches. The new arrival data paint a bullish picture for the months to come, which are expected to be just as busy, if not more.

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In relative terms, travel to the tropical island grew by 34% compared to 2019, which was already a record-breaking year. While air travel has grown steadily, cruise ship popularity has exploded, recording multiple-digit growth for several months already, with destinations like Puerto Plata recording massive growth.

Punta Cana, the crown jewel of the country’s resort destinations, retains its spot as the most popular destination for travelers, welcoming nearly 70% of all international tourists.

A large pool and palm trees in Punta Cana

Overall, some 6.2 million tourists visited the Dominican Republic in the first seven months of the year, also a new record. The summer has been the busiest on record, but analysts expect the number of tourists in the country to grow sharply in the fall, especially around the holidays.

The inbound travel market continues to be dominated by North America, with the United States representing nearly 60% of all travelers, followed by Canada at 8%. Although currently representing a much smaller share of the total, over a million Canadians are projected to visit the Dominican Republic this year following the signing of the historic Open Skies Treaty earlier this year.

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Why Travel To The Dominican Republic Is Soaring This Year

The Dominican Republic is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean and for good reason. It’s one of the safest countries in Latin America, boasting an excellent tourism police body – the Politur – to protect and assist millions of travelers.

Home to a handful of famous resort destinations – Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Samaná, just to name a few – the Dominican Republic is just a short flight away for millions of Americans.

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And the country is home to an increasing variety of stunning destinations waiting to be discovered. Some, like Miches, are already home to new resorts, while others, like Pedernales, are seeing a construction boom as resort chains set their sight on the Caribbean nation.

Home to some of the best – and most affordable – resorts in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic offers travelers more bang for their buck compared to Mexico or other competing destinations.

Aerial view of a white sand beach in Punta Cana

Soaring demand means travelers can fly to the Dominican Republic from more destinations than ever before. Delta, American Airlines, and Sunwing Airlines are just several airlines that have announced new flights to the popular destination this winter.