AGP Executive Report

Visitor Demand: The Dominican Republic ranked sixth among U.S. travelers’ top international destinations from January to July, drawing about 2.19 million visitors from the market, up 4.1% year over year. The country welcomed 7.7 million visitors overall. Beach Safety: Swimming, water sports and fishing are banned until further notice at beaches across Puerto Plata province because of dangerous waves and rip currents. Hotel Growth: Hyatt plans a 406-suite Secrets resort on Punta Cana’s Macao Beach for March 2027; the country is also set to get its first Four Seasons, a 95-room property. Religious and Heritage Tourism: New improvements around Higüey’s Basilica aim to welcome pilgrims, while Santo Domingo’s Colonial City now attracts 14% of monthly visitors, double its previous share. Air Connectivity: Southwest plans to launch Austin–Punta Cana flights in June 2027. Meanwhile, passenger traffic between Mexico and the Dominican Republic has surged 423% since Arajet began operating there in 2022. Market Outreach: The Dominican Republic returned to Paraguay’s tourism fair as guest country, promoting destinations beyond Punta Cana, including Samaná, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo.

Air Links: Prague’s winter schedule adds charter flights to La Romana, while Southwest plans a new Austin–Punta Cana route from June 2027. Arajet says passenger traffic between Mexico and the Dominican Republic has climbed 423% since its 2022 launch and is projected to top 398,000 this year. Santo Domingo: The Colonial City now attracts 14% of visitors to the country each month, double its earlier share. The government is renovating streets and expects ongoing projects to finish by December. Market Promotion: The Dominican Republic returned to Paraguay’s FITPAR tourism fair, promoting destinations including Puerto Plata, Samaná, Bayahíbe, La Romana and Santo Domingo alongside Punta Cana. Hotel Investment: Accor has 23 Dominican Republic projects in its pipeline, representing nearly 6,000 rooms and up to 9,000 direct jobs. Four Seasons also plans a beachfront resort at Playa Esmeralda.

Air Connectivity: Passenger traffic between Mexico and the Dominican Republic has climbed 423% since Arajet began flying there in 2022, with more than 398,000 travelers expected this year. Southwest also plans to launch Austin–Punta Cana service in June 2027. Santo Domingo: The Colonial City now draws 14% of visitors to the country, double its previous share; newly renewed streets and planned cruise tourism projects aim to boost its appeal. Market Outreach: The Dominican Republic returned to Paraguay’s FITPAR as guest country, promoting destinations including Samaná, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo alongside Punta Cana. Hotels: Accor has 23 Dominican projects in its pipeline, representing nearly 6,000 rooms. Four Seasons has also unveiled plans for a resort at Tropicalia on Playa Esmeralda. Visitor Experience: A regional tourism congress in the Dominican Republic explored ways to develop religious and cultural travel, while tourism officials stressed that public safety and social order are vital to the industry.

Hotel Investment: Accor signed new Dominican Republic development agreements, bringing its pipeline to 23 projects with nearly 6,000 rooms and the potential for 9,000 direct jobs. Religious Tourism: The country hosted a regional congress that brought about 40 delegates to sites across several provinces to discuss faith-based travel and heritage. Luxury Hotels: Four Seasons plans to open its first Dominican resort in Miches in mid-2027, with 95 rooms, 25 residences and eight restaurants and lounges. Air Access: Air Canada’s winter network includes Santo Domingo and Punta Cana among its seasonal sun destinations. Cruise Tourism: Eleven ships brought 45,627 passengers to the country in a recent port call. Travel Conditions: Heavy rain prompted green alerts across 22 provinces and the National District, with authorities warning of flood risks.

Weather Advisory: The COE placed 22 provinces and the National District under green alert as rain raises flooding risks, including in La Altagracia and Puerto Plata. Travelers should monitor official updates and avoid flood-prone routes. Hotel Investment: Accor has 23 Dominican Republic projects in its pipeline, representing nearly 6,000 rooms and more than 1,000 branded residences. The country’s first Four Seasons is also planned for Miches in mid-2027, with 95 rooms. Air Connectivity: Air Canada is adding winter service to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, while Breeze Airways plans year-round flights from Tampa to Santo Domingo. Tourism Experiences: The Dominican Republic hosted a regional religious tourism congress that brought about 40 international delegates to destinations across the country. Playa Nueva Romana also hosted the PGA TOUR Americas season finale, highlighting the country’s golf appeal. Historic District: Santo Domingo’s Colonial City has completed RD$61.5 million in street upgrades.

Luxury Development: Four Seasons plans to open its first Dominican Republic resort in mid-2027 at Playa Esmeralda in Miches. The 95-room property will include eight restaurants and lounges, three pools and 25 residences. Hotel Investment: Accor is returning with a 105-room Novotel near Punta Cana airport, expected in 2027, and a planned Swissôtel project in Santo Domingo. Air Travel: The Dominican Republic and Canada signed an aviation security agreement, while Breeze Airways is preparing to add Santo Domingo to its network. Visitor Experience: Santo Domingo’s Colonial City reopened renovated sections of Colón and Hostos streets after a RD$61.5 million upgrade; about 14% of visitors to the country tour the historic district. Tourism Strategy: The Tourism Ministry is expanding its partnership with Visa to use visitor spending data to refine marketing and tailor promotions. Cruise Tourism: Eleven ships brought 45,627 passengers to the Dominican Republic.

Hotel Investment: Accor is returning to the Dominican Republic with a 105-room Novotel near Punta Cana Airport planned for 2027 and a Swissôtel project in Santo Domingo. Colonial City: Tourism Minister David Collado delivered RD$61.5 million in street upgrades, including new paving, lighting, drainage and sidewalks; more work is due by December. Tourism Marketing: The ministry and Visa are expanding their data partnership to tailor campaigns using visitor spending, stay length and seasonal trends. Air Access: Breeze Airways will launch year-round, twice-weekly Tampa–Santo Domingo flights on June 18, 2027. Cruise Growth: Puerto Plata and Pedernales welcomed 11 ships and 45,627 passengers from October 12–15, with spending projected at about US$4.56 million. Coastal Resilience: The Dominican Republic is leading a regional effort to turn sargassum into a renewable-energy resource, under a declaration signed in Santo Domingo.

Tourism Marketing: The Dominican Republic and Visa are expanding a data partnership to tailor campaigns using visitor spending, length of stay and seasonal trends, with traveler incentives also planned. Colonial City: Tourism Minister David Collado handed over restored streets, including sections of Calle Hostos and Calle Colón. The latest work cost RD$61.5 million; about 14% of visitors tour the historic district. Air Access: Breeze Airways will launch year-round, twice-weekly Tampa–Santo Domingo flights on June 18, 2027. American Airlines has closed its Santo Domingo sales office, but says flights and airport operations are unchanged. Resort Growth: WestJet Vacations added Serenade Punta Cana to its all-inclusive lineup. Hyatt’s pipeline includes Zoëtry Marina Cap Cana, scheduled to open March 1, 2027, and Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana, targeting a March debut. Cruise Tourism: Puerto Plata and Pedernales welcomed 11 ships carrying 45,627 passengers from Oct. 12–15, with an estimated US$4.56 million in visitor spending. Coastal Response: The Dominican Republic is leading a regional effort to turn sargassum into renewable energy, aiming to move beyond shoreline cleanup.

Air Connectivity: Breeze Airways will launch twice-weekly, year-round flights between Tampa and Santo Domingo on June 18, 2027, adding a direct link from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the capital. Cruise Tourism: Puerto Plata and Pedernales welcomed 11 ships carrying 45,627 passengers from Oct. 12–15. Port officials estimate they could generate about $4.56 million in local spending. Coastal Resilience: The Dominican Republic is leading a regional effort to turn sargassum into renewable energy, seeking new ways to address a growing threat to beaches and coastal tourism. Resort Investment: Hyatt’s adults-only Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana is targeting a March 2027 opening. Visitor Growth: The country is on track for a record 12.4 million visitors in 2026, after arrivals topped 9.2 million through September; Aerodom projects 1.9 million seats at Dominican airports this winter.

Sargassum: The Dominican Republic is leading a regional push to turn the seaweed threatening Caribbean coastlines into renewable energy, under a new Santo Domingo declaration. Air Links: Breeze Airways is adding Santo Domingo to its network, while Aerodom projects 1.9 million seats at Dominican airports this winter. Tourism Growth: The country is on track for a record 12.4 million visitors this year, with arrivals topping 9.2 million in the first nine months. Punta Cana: Hyatt’s Secrets Macao Beach is now targeting a March 2027 opening, with adults-only all-inclusive stays, swim-out suites and a beachfront infinity pool. Market Outreach: Tourism Minister David Collado met with more than 200 travel industry representatives in Houston to build business from a key U.S. market.

Air Access: Breeze Airways is adding Santo Domingo as one of four new destinations in a 22-route expansion for 2027, widening U.S. connections to the Dominican Republic. Hotel Demand: Palladium Hotel Group says U.S. travelers account for about 30% of its Americas business, with average daily rates up 4% year over year. Hyatt’s Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana is targeting a March 2027 opening, adding an adults-only all-inclusive option on Playa Macao. Market Push: Tourism Minister David Collado led a Houston roadshow for more than 200 travel agents, tour operators and industry representatives, pitching the country to a priority U.S. market. Growth Outlook: The country is on track for a record 12.4 million visitors this year, after arrivals topped 9.2 million in the first nine months. Aerodom projects 1.9 million airline seats at Dominican airports this winter. Golf Tourism: The St. Regis Cap Cana is drawing attention for its Punta Espada course and resort experience, as the Dominican Republic builds its profile as a golf destination.

Air Access: Breeze Airways plans to add Santo Domingo to its network in 2027. Aerodom expects 1.9 million seats at Dominican airports this winter. Visitor Growth: The country is on track for a record 12.4 million visitors this year, after arrivals topped 9.2 million in the first nine months. Resorts & Golf: Hyatt’s adults-only Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana is targeting a March 2027 opening. The Dominican Republic is also emerging as a leading golf destination and will host the PGA Tour Americas season finale. Tourism Promotion: Tourism Minister David Collado brought the country’s roadshow to Houston, meeting more than 200 travel and airline industry representatives. The effort targets a key U.S. market and promotes the country for vacations and investment. U.S. Demand: Palladium says U.S. travelers account for about 30% of its Americas business, with their average daily rate up 4% year over year.

Punta Cana Resorts: Hyatt’s adults-only Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana is targeting a March 2027 opening, with beachfront suites, three pools and a rooftop bar planned. Market Outreach: Tourism Minister David Collado led a Houston roadshow for more than 200 travel trade and airline representatives, pitching the city as a growth market. Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 7.5% year over year; Aerodom projects 1.9 million airline seats at Dominican airports this winter. Air Access: Breeze Airways plans to add Santo Domingo in 2027 as part of a 22-route expansion, opening another low-cost link to the country. Golf Tourism: Officials say one in three sports-related visitors chooses golf; the country hosted the PGA Tour Americas season finale for the first time.

Punta Cana Hotels: Hyatt’s Secrets Macao Beach is targeting a March 2027 opening, adding an adults-only all-inclusive resort at Playa Macao. Air Access: Breeze Airways plans to add Santo Domingo in 2027 as part of a 22-route expansion, creating another option for travelers to the capital. Tourism Promotion: Tourism Minister David Collado took the Dominican Republic’s roadshow to Houston, pitching the destination to more than 200 travel and airline industry representatives. Golf Tourism: Golf is a growing draw: one in three sports tourists visit for the game, and the country is hosting the PGA Tour Americas season finale for the first time. Visitor Growth and Flights: The country welcomed 9.24 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 7.5% year over year; Aerodom projects 1.9 million seats at Dominican airports this winter.

New Resort: Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana is targeting a March 2027 opening, adding an adults-only all-inclusive option with ocean-facing suites, three pools and a beachfront infinity pool. Market Push: Tourism Minister David Collado took the Dominican Republic’s roadshow to Houston, meeting more than 200 travel and airline industry representatives as the country looks to grow business from a priority U.S. market. New Air Links: Breeze Airways plans to add Santo Domingo to its network in 2027 as part of a 16-route expansion. Winter Connectivity: Aerodom projects 1.9 million international seats across its airports this winter, up 4.9%, with eight new destinations expected. Golf Tourism: The country is hosting the PGA Tour Americas season finale for the first time; officials say one in three sports tourists choose golf, and visitor satisfaction among golf travelers is high. The Dominican Republic welcomed more than 9.2 million visitors in January–September, up 7.5% year over year.

Air Connectivity: Breeze Airways is adding Santo Domingo to its network in 2027 as part of a 16-route expansion. Aerodom expects 1.9 million international seats this winter, up 4.9%, with new routes including Rome, Montreal and Houston; Flair is also adding Toronto–Puerto Plata flights. Golf Tourism: One in three sports visitors comes for golf, according to the Tourism Ministry. The country is hosting the PGA Tour Americas season finale for the first time, while visitor surveys show strong satisfaction and intent to return. Tourism Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 7.5% year over year, and is on track for a record 12.4 million this year. Awards and Resorts: The “Subway to Paradise” campaign and Zel Punta Cana won gold at the 2026 Magellan Awards. Punta Cana’s St. Regis Cap Cana is also drawing attention for its oceanfront golf course, plunge-pool rooms and resort amenities.