The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has forecasted a historic high for the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, projecting it will contribute over USD 21 billion to the national GDP in 2025, representing 15.8% of the country’s economy.

This growth—up 3.3% year-over-year—reflects the nation’s commitment to a robust, sustainable, and resilient tourism industry. According to the latest Economic Impact Report (EIR), produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the sector is expected to employ nearly 893,000 people, equivalent to 17.9% of the national workforce.

International visitor spending is projected to reach USD 11.4 billion, while domestic tourism is expected to contribute USD 4.1 billion, highlighting the combined strength of local and international tourism.

A regional leader in tourism

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson praised the Dominican Republic’s continued leadership, saying it "remains a benchmark destination in the region." Frank Rainieri, Chairman of Grupo Puntacana and WTTC Executive Committee member, emphasized the vital role of public-private collaboration in strengthening tourism’s contribution to economic development and poverty reduction.

In 2024, the sector had already contributed USD 20.5 billion to GDP, created over 876,000 jobs, and recorded USD 11.2 billion in international tourism spending. Leisure travel accounted for 93.7%, while business travel made up 6.3%.

Top source markets include the United States (39%), Canada (14%), and Colombia (4%), reinforcing the strategic relevance of these nations for inbound tourism.

Looking to 2035

WTTC projects that by 2035, the travel and tourism sector could generate more than USD 29 billion for the Dominican economy, adding over 87,000 new jobs. Across the Caribbean region, the sector is expected to reach USD 86 billion in 2025, contributing to more than 3 million jobs.

These figures affirm the Dominican Republic’s status as a rising tourism powerhouse in the Caribbean, driven by strategic investment and effective governance across sectors.