Dominican Republic’s Tourism Sector Projected to Generate Over US$21 Billion

International

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that the travel and tourism sector in the Dominican Republic will reach a historic milestone in 2025, contributing over US$21 billion to the national GDP.

This would represent 15.8% of the country's total economy, reflecting sustained growth and resilience in one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant tourism markets.

According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics, this projected growth marks a 3.3% year-on-year increase and highlights the Dominican Republic’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism development.

The WTTC estimates that nearly 893,000 people will be employed in the sector by the end of 2025, accounting for 17.9% of the national workforce. International visitor spending is projected to reach US$11.4 billion, while domestic tourism spending is expected to rise to US$4.1 billion, underscoring the dual importance of both global appeal and domestic market strength.

A Look Back at 2024

In 2024, the tourism sector contributed US$20.5 billion to the GDP, making up 16.1% of the national economy. It supported over 876,000 jobs—approximately 17.6% of the country's total employment. That same year, international tourism spending reached US$11.2 billion, while domestic spending hit US$3.9 billion—up 17.6% and 12.3% respectively compared to 2019 levels.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson stated:

"The Dominican Republic continues to show exemplary leadership in the region, establishing itself as a world-class tourism destination. The 2025 projections are a testament to a sector that is growing stronger and delivering real economic and employment benefits. We applaud President Luis Abinader and our Dominican Members for their vision and commitment."

Frank Rainieri, Founder and Chairman of Grupo Puntacana and WTTC Executive Committee Member, added:

"This performance is the result of close public-private collaboration in Dominican tourism, driving economic growth and contributing directly to poverty reduction."

Tourism Spending and Travel Trends

The report also revealed that in 2024, leisure travel accounted for 93.7% of total tourism, while business travel made up 6.3%. The leading source markets were the United States (39%), Canada (14%), and Colombia (4%).

Tourism Sector Outlook to 2035

Looking ahead, the WTTC projects that by 2035, the sector could contribute over US$29 billion to the Dominican GDP, with an annual growth rate of 3.3%. Employment in the sector is expected to reach nearly 980,000, creating more than 87,000 new jobs over the next decade.

Regional Data – The Caribbean Context

In 2024, the Caribbean’s travel and tourism sector contributed US$81.4 billion to regional GDP—representing 17.6% of the economy and surpassing 2019 levels by more than 28%. In 2025, this contribution is expected to rise to US$86 billion, accounting for 18.2% of the regional economy. Employment in the sector is projected to exceed 3 million jobs, or 16.1% of the total regional workforce.

For additional data and to access the full technical report, including the latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR) by the WTTC, please visit the WTTC Research Hub.