AGP Executive Report

Air Links: Breeze will launch nonstop Tampa–Santo Domingo flights twice weekly from June 18, 2027, with introductory one-way fares from $149. Health Tourism: Public Health and dental-sector groups are promoting medical and dental travel, emphasizing patient safety, licensing and international quality standards. Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors from January to September, up 7.5% year over year, including 2.1 million cruise passengers; officials project more than 12.4 million arrivals for 2026. Cruise Tourism: Disney Dream made Disney Cruise Line’s first call to the country, bringing about 4,000 passengers and 1,467 crew to Puerto Plata’s Taíno Bay. Tourism Industry: Iberostar reported 7% global sales growth through September, with sales up more than 10% in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana pioneer Frank Rainieri also received the WTTC Icon Award for his contribution to tourism.

Punta Cana Deals: Club Med is offering up to 20% off stays booked from May to November 2027, including Punta Cana, in a four-day sale running through October 16. Tourism Leadership: CMEx will honor Grupo Puntacana sustainability vice president Jake Kheel for more than two decades of environmental work in tourism. Resort Recognition: Eden Roc Cap Cana and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana ranked sixth and seventh among the Caribbean’s top resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 readers’ awards. Air Links: Flair Airlines plans to launch twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights on December 19, adding winter capacity. Arajet also ranked the Dominican Republic’s second-busiest airline by passenger traffic in September, behind JetBlue. Beyond Punta Cana: Bayahíbe and La Romana led September hotel occupancy at 78%, well ahead of Bávaro-Punta Cana’s 56%. Visitor Growth: The country welcomed more than 9.2 million visitors through September, with tourism continuing to expand.

Tourism Diplomacy: President Luis Abinader and Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez discussed expanding tourism ties during a meeting in Rome, alongside plans for a Dominican consulate in Venezuela. Punta Cana Honors: Eden Roc Cap Cana and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana ranked sixth and seventh among the Caribbean’s top resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Sports Tourism: The Dominican Republic and Argentina signed an agreement to promote travel linked to surfing, polo, golf and paddle tennis. Air Links and Demand: Flair Airlines will launch twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights on December 19. Arajet carried 158,407 passengers in September, ranking second among airlines serving the country, behind JetBlue. Beyond Punta Cana: Bayahíbe tied La Romana for the country’s highest September hotel occupancy at 78%, ahead of Bávaro-Punta Cana’s 56%. The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, with tourism still growing.

Sports Tourism: Argentina and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement to promote trips tied to surfing, polo, golf and padel. Hotel Demand: Bayahíbe and La Romana led September occupancy at 78%, well ahead of Bávaro-Punta Cana’s 56%. Air Connectivity: Flair Airlines will launch twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights on Dec. 19. Arajet carried 158,407 passengers in September, ranking second among airlines serving the country, behind JetBlue. Tourism Growth: The DR welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September. New Investment: A 554-room all-inclusive resort has opened in Punta Cana, while tourism projects worth RD$1.9 billion are planned for Samaná. Puerto Plata’s cable car is also beginning a major transformation.

Hotel Performance: Bayahíbe and La Romana led the Dominican Republic in September occupancy at 78%, well ahead of Bávaro-Punta Cana’s 56% and the national rate of 55%. Air Connectivity: Arajet ranked second in passenger traffic to and from the country in September, behind JetBlue and ahead of American. Flair Airlines will add twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights from December 19. Resort Growth: A new 554-room all-inclusive resort has opened in Punta Cana, featuring lagoon-style pools and access to a waterpark. Tourism Momentum: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, while a recent global index ranked it the Caribbean’s leading destination for tourism development.

Air Connectivity: Flair Airlines will launch twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights on Dec. 19, with fares from C$249 one-way before fees. Arajet carried 158,407 passengers in September, up 62% year over year and second only to JetBlue in Dominican traffic. Tourism Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, while September arrivals reached 533,735. Punta Cana Resorts: Lopesan has opened its 554-room Caoba Lagoon all-inclusive, featuring a large lagoon pool, cenote-style pools and waterpark access. More Flights Ahead: Southwest plans weekend nonstop service from Austin to Punta Cana next June and July. Investment: The country is putting RD$1.9 billion into tourism projects in Samaná, and a new cruise port there is expected to welcome its first ship on Nov. 24.

Air Links: Flair Airlines will launch twice-weekly nonstop Toronto–Puerto Plata flights on Dec. 19, with fares from C$249 one-way before fees. Southwest is also adding weekend Austin–Punta Cana service from June 2027. Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, including 533,735 in September. Arajet carried 158,407 passengers to and from the country that month, up 62% year over year and second only to JetBlue. Resort Investment: Lopesan has opened its 554-room Caoba Lagoon resort in Punta Cana, featuring cenote-style pools, a lagoon and access to a water park. Cruise Tourism: The country recorded more than 16,000 cruise passengers in a single day, and Samaná’s new cruise port is set to welcome its first ship on Nov. 24. Puerto Plata also welcomed Disney Cruise Line on its Dominican debut. Destination Upgrades: The government is investing RD$1.9 billion in tourism projects in Samaná, while Puerto Plata’s cable car is beginning a major transformation.

Punta Cana Resorts: Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort & Spa has opened with 554 rooms, lagoon and cenote-style pools, and access to Aquatica waterpark. A new Hilton is also planned for Punta Cana, while Santo Domingo’s historic Marriott is getting an $11 million refresh. Tourism Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September; 533,735 arrived in September, as Puerto Plata continued its recovery. Air Connectivity: Arajet carried 158,407 passengers in September, up 62% year over year and ranking second in the market behind JetBlue. Southwest plans weekend nonstop flights from Austin to Punta Cana starting in June 2027. Cruise Tourism: Puerto Plata welcomed Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, and Dominican ports recorded a one-day high of more than 16,000 cruise passengers. A new Samaná cruise port is due to welcome its first ship on November 24.

Air Connectivity: Arajet carried 158,407 passengers to and from the Dominican Republic in September, up 62% year over year and second only to JetBlue. Southwest plans weekend nonstop flights from Austin to Punta Cana in June and July 2027. Punta Cana Resorts: The new Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort is now open in Bávaro, with 554 rooms, a vast swimming lagoon and cenote-style pools. Tourism Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, while September alone brought 533,735 tourists. The country also ranked first in the Caribbean on the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. Industry Recognition: Punta Cana pioneer Frank Rainieri received the WTTC Icon Award for his role in building the country’s tourism sector.

Punta Cana Hotels: Lopesan’s new 554-room Caoba Lagoon Resort has opened in Bávaro, featuring eight pools, including a 56,500-square-foot lagoon. Vacation-Rental Safety: Families suing Expedia, HomeAway and VRBO allege a Barahona rental lacked smoke detectors after a fire killed four relatives. The case puts guest safety and platform responsibilities in focus. Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, up 7.5% year over year. September arrivals climbed 16.4%, and Tourism Minister David Collado projects more than 12.4 million visitors this year. Tourism Leadership: Frank Rainieri received the WTTC Icon Award for helping build Punta Cana into a global destination. Santo Domingo: The city’s Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Cluster will work together on business links and sustainable tourism. Digital Travel: Caribbean travelers are turning to AI for trip planning, but only 12% of regional businesses use it effectively, raising the risk that smaller tourism operators will be overlooked.

Punta Cana Resorts: Lopesan’s new Caoba Lagoon Resort is now open in Bávaro, with 554 rooms, eight pools and a lagoon covering more than an acre. Hilton is also taking bookings for a downtown Punta Cana hotel, opening in February 2027. Tourism Leadership: Frank Rainieri received the WTTC Icon Award for helping build Punta Cana into an international destination. Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, up 7.5% year over year; officials project more than 12.4 million by year-end. Travel Safety: Families of four people killed in a 2025 Barahona vacation-rental fire are suing Expedia, HomeAway and VRBO, alleging the property lacked smoke detectors. Santo Domingo: The city’s Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Cluster have teamed up to promote sustainable tourism and connect local businesses with the visitor economy. Air Connectivity: Arajet has restored direct Punta Cana–Guayaquil flights, while Southwest plans Saturday service from Pittsburgh to Punta Cana starting June 5. Cruise Tourism: Disney Cruise Line made its Dominican debut in Puerto Plata, calling at Taíno Bay with more than 3,100 passengers aboard.

Visitor Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors through September, up 7.5% year over year. September arrivals reached 684,831, including a 54.7% jump in cruise passengers; officials project more than 12.4 million visitors for 2026. Tourism Marketing: The Tourism Ministry and Visa are using spending data and traveler preferences to sharpen promotions and offer visitors discounts on local experiences. Hotels and Air Links: Hilton’s new DoubleTree in downtown Punta Cana is taking reservations for stays from Feb. 28, 2027, while Arajet has restored twice-weekly direct flights between Guayaquil and Punta Cana. Cruise News: Disney Dream made its first Dominican Republic call at Puerto Plata, carrying 3,194 passengers. Silversea’s 2028–29 Caribbean program will add La Romana as a port of call.

Tourism Growth: The Dominican Republic welcomed 9.24 million visitors from January through September, up 7.5% year over year. September arrivals climbed 16.4% to 684,831, and Tourism Minister David Collado projects more than 12.4 million visitors this year. Smarter Promotion: The Tourism Ministry and Visa are using visitor data to sharpen marketing and offer travelers discounts on local experiences, dining and entertainment. New Stays: Hilton has opened bookings for its downtown Punta Cana DoubleTree, with stays starting February 28, 2027. In Santo Domingo, the historic Jaragua hotel is getting an $11 million refresh with padel courts, revamped poolside dining and an updated theater. Air Links: Arajet has restored direct flights between Punta Cana and Guayaquil, with two weekly flights in each direction. Cruise News: Puerto Plata welcomed Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream on its first Dominican Republic call, carrying 3,194 passengers. September cruise arrivals reached 151,096, up 54.7% from a year earlier. Samaná Investment: The government is putting RD$1.9 billion into tourism projects in the province.

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.

Tourism Numbers & Cruise Momentum: Dominican Tourism Minister David Collado reported 533,735 tourists arrived in the DR by air in September, a record-best September for arrivals, with Puerto Plata highlighting strong recovery at Gregorio Luperón Airport (+37% vs 2025). Puerto Plata Gets a Disney Boost: 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+ cruise passengers. Infrastructure Push in Samaná: The ministry is investing RD$1.9 billion in Samaná tourism projects, including a second phase road rebuild in Arroyo Barril (RD$88M+) aimed at extending tourism benefits to local communities. Cable Car Modernization: Puerto Plata Cable Car is starting a major upgrade after more than 50 years, replacing the system with a higher-capacity double-cable tramway and new safety and control tech. Air Connectivity & Costs: The Dominican Association of Airlines welcomed President Abinader’s aviation fuel temperature adjustment, saying it improves competitiveness and supports tourism-linked air connectivity. Sargassum Financing: A US$6.3M package backs Dominican small businesses turning sargassum into a sustainable, financeable value chain. Safety Watch: COE issued yellow alert for La Vega, Puerto Plata and Espaillat, and green alert for the National District and Greater Santo Domingo plus several provinces, citing heavy rain and storms. Sports Tourism Deal: Argentina and the DR signed an agreement to promote recurring sports tourism, including surfing, polo, golf and padel.

Cruise Momentum: Four ships brought 16,000+ visitors in one day, with major calls at Puerto Plata (Amber Cove, Taino Bay) and Pedernales (Freedom of the Seas), underscoring growing cruise demand. New Port Launch: Port Samaná’s new cruise terminal is set to open Nov. 24, with MSC Opera as the first ship and a projected 10,000 passengers in late 2026. Luxury Hotel Pipeline: Four Seasons will open in mid-2027 in Miches (El Seibo), naming Hervé Fucho as general manager and positioning the resort as sustainable luxury. Tourism Benchmark: The Dominican Republic topped the Caribbean in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, ranking 66th globally and scoring higher than Jamaica. Infrastructure Upgrade: Puerto Plata Cable Car modernization begins, replacing the system with higher-capacity double-cable aerial trams and updated safety and electrical components. Tourism Partnerships: Argentina and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement to promote sports tourism, including surfing, polo, golf, and padel. Business & Sustainability Funding: A US$6.3M package will help Dominican MSMEs turn sargassum into a sustainable, commercially viable value chain. Weather Watch: COE placed La Vega, Puerto Plata, and Espaillat on yellow alert, with heavy rain and storms possible across much of the country. Travel Demand Signals: Research suggests Canadians are more likely to book all-inclusive when total costs are clear upfront, aligning with winter planning trends.