Santo Domingo.- Tourism magnate Frank Rainieri predicts an inevitable expansion of tourism across the entire country in the coming years, aiming to transform the Dominican Republic into a prime tourist destination. Speaking at the “Breakfast Conference of the Archbishopric of Santo Domingo,” Rainieri proposed a bold target of hosting 17 million tourists by 2035, emphasizing the need for foresight, diligence, and collaboration across various sectors of national life to sustain this growth.
Reflecting on the evolution of tourism since its modest beginnings in the 1970s, Rainieri cited historian Frank Moya Pons, who recognized tourism as a pivotal driver of economic change, transforming the Dominican Republic from a small agrarian economy to a global tourism powerhouse. Despite challenges such as the Covid pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, Rainieri emphasized the resilience of the industry, asserting its substantial contribution to the national economy.
In 2023 alone, tourism injected US$9,828 million into the Dominican economy, surpassing exports from other sectors. Rainieri attributed this success to concerted efforts from the hotel sector, the Ministry of Tourism, President Luis Abinader, and the Verón-Punta Cana Community. Notably, the Punta Cana region, boasting nearly 50,000 hotel rooms, emerged as a key economic driver, generating a significant portion of the country’s GDP and providing employment for thousands.
Looking ahead to 2024, Rainieri anticipated further expansion of tourism infrastructure, with the Punta Cana-Miches area set to reach 50,000 rooms. Established destinations like Bayahíbe, La Romana, Puerto Plata, and Samaná continue to grow, while emerging locales such as Pedernales, Baní, and Barahona prepare to enter the global tourism landscape. Additionally, Rainieri highlighted the burgeoning tourism potential of cities like Santiago, Jarabacoa, Constanza, and Santo Domingo.
Acknowledging the responsibility of businesses to contribute positively to society, Rainieri underscored the importance of sustainable investment initiatives that benefit local communities. He emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and visionary leadership to uphold the Dominican Republic’s position as a premier tourist destination amidst global competition