Santo Domingo.- Tourism in the Dominican Republic continues to grow steadily. During the first five months of 2024, the country received over five million visitors, marking an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2023, 48% more than in 2022, and 43% more than in 2019.
According to Minister of Tourism David Collado, 846,735 visitors arrived in May alone, representing a 12% increase over the same month last year. Collado shared these figures during his monthly presentation on the sector’s performance, held at the Embajador Hotel in the Dominican capital.
Minister Collado reported that 677,475 tourists arrived by air in May, reflecting a 9% increase compared to the same month last year and 28% more than in 2019. This sustained growth in tourism is also evident in the number of cruise passengers.
In May, the country received 169,260 visitors by sea, a 20% increase compared to the same month last year, 184% more than in 2022, and 193% more than in 2019.
“May was an extraordinary month with the arrival of 846,735 visitors, which represents an 11% increase over May of last year, 36% above the same month in 2019, and 44% more than in 2018,” said Minister Collado.
In the first five months of 2024, 3,716,262 tourists arrived in the country, marking a 10% increase compared to the January-May period last year, 24% more than in 2019, and 30% above 2018. Additionally, the country received a historic number of 1,310,728 cruise passengers from January to May, a 16% increase over last year, 174% more than in 2019, and 153% above 2018.
Minister Collado highlighted the importance of collaboration with the private sector, noting that the consistent increase in tourist arrivals month after month is a result of these joint efforts.
“When you see figures like the one we have achieved in the first five months of this year, you should feel proud as a Dominican: 5,026,990 visitors from January to May, that is a great number,” said Minister Collado.
The main tourist source countries in May were the United States (53%), followed by Canada (11%), Colombia (5%), and Argentina (4%).