The Dominican Republic's tourism sector is a precise economic engine, detailed by its 120,000 hotel rooms and 10 million annual visitors. This data reveals the scale of its infrastructure, from Punta Cana's concentrated resorts to the dispersed attractions drawing millions inland.
Key Takeaways
- Over 1,100 hotels with 120,000 rooms in operation in 2023.
- Punta Cana has 85,000 rooms, 70% of national total.
- Hotel occupancy rate averaged 82% in 2023.
- Saona Island visits: 750,000 by boat in 2023.
- Pico Duarte hikes: 45,000 visitors annually.
- Los Haitises National Park: 200,000 tourists.
- Tourism contributed $9.75 billion to GDP in 2023.
- Tourism accounted for 16.5% of total GDP in 2023.
- Direct tourism GDP was $5.1 billion in 2023.
- In 2023, the Dominican Republic received 10,013,467 international tourists, a 9% increase from 2022.
- The US was the top source market with 2,632,078 visitors to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
- Canada sent 913,376 tourists to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
- Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest with 7.5 million passengers in 2023.
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) handled 4.1 million passengers.
- 156 direct flights weekly from US to DR in 2023.
In 2023, the Dominican Republic welcomed 10 million tourists, driving strong hotel occupancy and economic growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Accommodation18 stats
01
Over 1,100 hotels with 120,000 rooms in operation in 2023.
02
Punta Cana has 85,000 rooms, 70% of national total.
03
Hotel occupancy rate averaged 82% in 2023.
04
5-star hotels: 45 properties with 35,000 rooms.
05
Average room rate: $250/night in 2023.
06
All-inclusive hotels: 95% of rooms, hosting 90% of tourists.
07
New hotels opened in 2023: 15, adding 8,000 rooms.
08
Villas and apartments: 25,000 units available.
09
Santo Domingo hotels: 15,000 rooms, 85% occupancy.
10
Puerto Plata: 22,000 rooms.
11
Samana: 10,000 rooms, growing 15% annually.
12
Boutique hotels: 300 properties.
13
RevPAR (revenue per available room): $205in 2023.
14
Timeshares: 50 resorts with 20,000 units.
15
Eco-lodges: 150 properties emphasizing sustainability.
16
2024 room pipeline: 15,000 new rooms.
17
La Romana/Casa de Campo: 3,000 luxury rooms.
18
Cap Cana: 12,000 rooms under development.
Interpretation
Accommodation Interpretation
Punta Cana essentially moonlights as the Dominican Republic's hospitality department, where for every ten tourists checking into an all-inclusive paradise, nine are blissfully unaware there's a vibrant, boutique-dotted mainland waiting for its turn.
02 · Category
Attractions19 stats
01
Saona Island visits: 750,000 by boat in 2023.
02
Pico Duarte hikes: 45,000 visitors annually.
03
Los Haitises National Park: 200,000 tourists.
04
Bavaro Beach ranked top 5 Caribbean beaches, 2 million visits.
05
Altos de Chavon: 500,000 visitors/year.
06
Santo Domingo Colonial Zone UNESCO site: 1.5 million tourists.
07
Jarabacoa adventure sports: 150,000 participants.
08
Whale watching in Samana: 250,000 visitors (Dec-Mar).
09
Scuba diving sites: 50 locations, 300,000 dives.
10
Damajagua 27 Waterfalls: 400,000 jumps.
11
Humpback whales sighted by 80% of season visitors.
12
Golf courses: 28 world-class, 1 million rounds.
13
Cenote visits in Scape Park: 350,000.
14
Cable car to Isabel de Torres: 300,000 rides.
15
Museo del Ambar: 250,000 visitors.
16
Zip-lining in Puerto Plata: 200,000 adventures.
17
Carnival in La Vega: 1 million attendees.
18
Merengue Festival: 100,000 international visitors.
19
17 National Parks attracting 1.8 million eco-tourists in 2023.
Interpretation
Attractions Interpretation
The Dominican Republic isn't just a pretty beach, it’s a vibrant, living playground where millions are drawn to everything from serene whale songs and cascading waterfalls to pulsing carnivals and historic cobblestones, proving adventure and culture are always in season.
03 · Category
Economic Impact19 stats
01
Tourism contributed $9.75 billion to GDP in 2023.
02
Tourism accounted for 16.5% of total GDP in 2023.
03
Direct tourism GDP was $5.1 billion in 2023.
04
Tourism employed 618,000 people in 2023, 12.3% of workforce.
05
Hotel sector revenue reached $8.2 billion in 2023.
06
Average daily spending per tourist: $150in 2023.
07
Tourism exports generated $11.2 billion in 2023.
08
193,000 tourism-related jobs created post-pandemic by 2023.
09
Tax revenue from tourism: $1.8 billion in 2023.
10
Foreign exchange from tourism covered 45% of trade deficit in 2023.
11
Investment in tourism infrastructure: $2.5 billion in 2023.
12
All-inclusive resorts generated 70% of tourism revenue.
13
Cruise tourism brought $500 million in 2023.
14
Ecotourism revenue up 25% to $300 million in 2023.
15
Gaming and entertainment sector: $1.2 billion from tourists.
16
Multiplier effect of tourism on economy: 2.5 times direct spend.
17
Tourism's share in service exports: 55% in 2023.
18
2024 tourism GDP projection: 17% growth.
19
Local suppliers received $2.1 billion from tourism in 2023.
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
While the Dominican Republic's beaches are undoubtedly its star attraction, the real plot twist is that tourism is the nation's economic workhorse, quietly carrying 16.5% of the GDP, employing over half a million people, and generating enough foreign exchange to cover nearly half of the trade deficit, all while hotel revenues hit a staggering $8.2 billion.
More related reading
04 · Category
Tourist Arrivals20 stats
01
In 2023, the Dominican Republic received 10,013,467 international tourists, a 9% increase from 2022.
02
The US was the top source market with 2,632,078 visitors to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
03
Canada sent 913,376 tourists to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
04
In the first half of 2024, air arrivals reached 4,200,000, up 11% year-over-year.
05
Europe contributed 1,200,000 tourists to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
06
Russia saw a 150% increase in tourists to DR, reaching 85,000 in 2023.
07
Brazil sent 256,000 visitors in 2023, up 20%.
08
Monthly average arrivals in 2023 were 834,456.
09
Punta Cana airport handled 5.5 million passengers in 2023.
10
82% of tourists arrived by air in 2023.
11
Female tourists made up 52% of arrivals in 2023.
12
Average length of stay for tourists was 8.2 nights in 2023.
13
65% of tourists were aged 35-54 in 2023.
14
Repeat visitors accounted for 45% of total arrivals in 2023.
15
January 2023 saw 910,000 arrivals, the highest monthly figure.
16
December 2023 arrivals: 850,000.
17
Asia-Pacific tourists grew 30% to 50,000 in 2023.
18
Colombia contributed 180,000 visitors in 2023.
19
Mexico sent 120,000 tourists.
20
2024 projections: 11 million arrivals expected.
Interpretation
Tourist Arrivals Interpretation
While American sun-seekers remain the Dominican Republic's bedrock, the nation’s siren song is undeniably broadening, luring record crowds from Russia to Brazil who clearly agree that an 8.2-night escape is the perfect antidote to reality.
05 · Category
Transportation19 stats
01
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest with 7.5 million passengers in 2023.
02
Las Américas Airport (SDQ) handled 4.1 million passengers.
03
156 direct flights weekly from US to DR in 2023.
04
Cruise ship calls: 850 in 2023, up 10%.
05
Amber Cove cruise port: 400 calls, 1 million passengers.
06
Tainos Cruise Port: 200 ships.
07
Highway network for tourism: 5,000 km paved.
08
Rental cars: 50,000 vehicles available annually.
09
Domestic flights: 1.2 million passengers via Cinepolis Air.
10
Ferry services to Saona Island: 300,000 passengers/year.
11
New airport in Samana: Handling 500,000 pax/year.
12
25 airlines operate to DR, including low-cost carriers.
13
Road safety for tourists improved with 95% compliance.
14
Electric vehicle rentals growing 40% in tourist areas.
15
Helicopter tours: 100,000 passengers annually.
16
Bus tourism: 2 million trips via MetroTur.
17
Puerto Plata Airport (POP): 2.2 million passengers.
18
La Isabela Airport: 300,000 private jets/year.
19
2024 flight connectivity up 15% to 200 routes.
Interpretation
Transportation Interpretation
While Punta Cana's runway may be the headline act, the real story is a nation-wide, multi-layered production, moving millions on land, sea, and air with impressive logistical flair.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 27). Dominican Republic Tourism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dominican-republic-tourism-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Dominican Republic Tourism Statistics." Gitnux, 27 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dominican-republic-tourism-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Dominican Republic Tourism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dominican-republic-tourism-statistics.
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