Cruise Boost for Puerto Plata: Disney Cruise Line makes its Dominican debut in Puerto Plata, with Disney Dream and Disney Destiny calls at Taíno Bay expected to bring 5,500+ passengers, as APORDOM flags strong October cruise momentum. Tourism Demand Snapshot: Tourism Minister David Collado says 533,735 tourists arrived in the DR by air in September (+8.8% vs 2025), with Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón airport up 37% and recovery driven by hotels, real estate and cruise growth. Infrastructure for Destination Quality: In Samaná, the ministry backs tourism-linked upgrades with RD$1.9B in projects, including a second phase road reconstruction in Arroyo Barril (RD$88M) to improve streets, curbs and sidewalks. Aviation Cost Relief: The Dominican Association of Airlines welcomes a regulated temperature adjustment for aviation fuel (avtur), aiming for fairer pricing and better competitiveness for air connectivity tied to tourism. Sargassum Business Funding: A US$6.3M package (EIB/EU/Adopem) supports Dominican MSMEs turning sargassum into a sustainable, financeable value chain. Global Cruise Planning: Silversea unveiled 103 new sailings for 2028–29, including a Caribbean deployment with a new La Romana call—another sign of continued luxury cruise interest in the region.