Dominican Republic Sees Record 1.2M Visitors in January 2026

Tourism Minister projects new highs for the year as the country positions itself as the Caribbean's leading destination.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Dominican Republic welcomed 1.22 million tourists in January 2026, a 5.5% increase compared to the same month last year. Air arrivals surpassed 800,000 passengers for the first time, up 8.7% year-over-year and 61% higher than January 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Tourism Minister David Collado said the record-breaking start to the year signals an "extraordinary" 2026 for the sector.

Why it matters

Tourism is a strategic engine and backbone of the Dominican economy, contributing approximately $21.1 billion or 16% of GDP in 2025. The country is positioning itself as the Caribbean's leading tourist destination and a reliable investment market backed by a vision of sustainable development.

The details

The increase in January visitors was driven by growth in air arrivals, with North America accounting for 59% of air traffic led by the U.S. and Canada. The country also signed a strategic alliance with Visa Inc. to jointly promote the Dominican Republic in key international markets. Punta Cana remained the top destination, while hotel occupancy averaged 82% nationwide during peak season.

  • The Dominican Republic reported 1.22 million tourists in January 2026.
  • In 2025, the country received more than 11.6 million visitors.

The players

David Collado

The Dominican Republic Tourism Minister who said the record-breaking January visitor numbers signal an "extraordinary" 2026 for the tourism sector.

Visa Inc.

The global payments company that signed a strategic alliance with the Dominican Republic to jointly promote the country in key international markets.

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What they’re saying

“Receiving 1,219,606 visitors for the first time in the history of Dominican tourism tells us how extraordinary this year will be for the sector.”

— David Collado, Dominican Republic Tourism Minister

What’s next

The Dominican Republic is projected to be the fastest-growing economy in Latin America and the Caribbean in the coming years, with real GDP growth forecasted between 4.0% and 4.5% in 2026.

The takeaway

The Dominican Republic's record-breaking tourism numbers in January 2026 highlight the country's position as the Caribbean's leading destination, driven by sustained demand from North America and strategic partnerships to promote the island internationally. As a key economic engine contributing 16% of GDP, the tourism sector's continued growth positions the Dominican Republic as a regional economic leader.