The Dominican Republic recorded 8,005,257 tourist arrivals between January and August 2025, marking a new national tourism record and a 49% increase over the same period in 2019.
Of these visitors, 6,085,053 arrived by air and 1,920,204 by cruise, according to an announcement by Tourism Minister David Collado at a press briefing this week.
In August alone, 707,175 visitors entered the country by air, reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s status as one of the leading travel destinations in the Caribbean. The country also registered more than 6,000 flight arrivals during the month, up from just over 5,000 flights in August 2024, indicating continued momentum in air connectivity and international demand.
Growth Across All Channels
The Dominican Republic’s tourism growth in 2025 is outpacing pre-pandemic levels across all metrics. Between January and July, the country received 7,197,844 visitors, and the August data has now pushed that total past 8 million. Cruise travel continues its recovery with nearly 2 million cruise passengers visiting during the first eight months of the year.
“These historic numbers demonstrate the continued strength and resilience of our tourism sector,” said David Collado, Minister of Tourism. “We are not only surpassing pre-pandemic levels but also reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s leadership as the top destination in the region.”
Flight Operations and Capacity Recovery
Flight arrivals have increased significantly in 2025, with the country handling over 6,000 commercial flights in August alone. The consistent growth in air traffic reflects both rising demand and expanded airline operations to the country’s main airports, including Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and Santiago.
July 2025 was previously a record-setting month, with 863,785 air arrivals. These figures highlight a strong peak season and indicate an upward trend in monthly tourist inflows during the summer months.
Economic Contribution and Outlook
Tourism revenue reached US$10.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed US$11 billion by the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The sector remains one of the most important contributors to the national economy, supporting employment, foreign investment, and infrastructure development.
Minister Collado emphasized the broader impact of these results, stating that the tourism boom has strengthened the national economy and contributed significantly to job creation in coastal regions and urban centers. “This is not just a tourism story; it is an economic success story for the Dominican Republic,” he added.
With sustained visitor growth, increased airlift, and rising cruise volumes, the Dominican Republic is on track to close 2025 as a record-setting year for tourism, positioning itself as a model for post-pandemic recovery in the global travel industry.
