The Dominican Republic achieved a remarkable milestone in its tourism history by welcoming its 11 millionth visitor on January 2, 2025.
Canadian traveler Bruce Pirt, accompanied by his wife and daughters, received a special welcome at Punta Cana International Airport after arriving on an Air Transat flight.
The celebration carried extra significance for Pirt, who had celebrated his wedding in the Dominican Republic two decades ago. "The Dominican Republic is a wonderful place, and we are happy to celebrate our anniversary here," he said during the ceremony.
Tourism Minister David Collado, who led the welcome reception, highlighted the profound economic impact of this achievement. Tourism now accounts for nearly 20% of the nation's GDP, generating US$26 billion and creating 949,000 direct and indirect jobs. The sector also contributed 130 billion Dominican pesos in tax revenue.
This latest accomplishment builds upon the country's previous milestone of 10 million visitors in 2023. Minister Collado attributed the continued growth to successful collaboration between public and private sectors, positioning the Dominican Republic as a leading tourism destination in the Caribbean region.
"Overcoming the barrier of 11 million visitors is a historic achievement that consolidates the Dominican Republic as a tourism leader in the region," Collado said, expressing optimism for the sector's future growth.
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