Quick Navigation
- Overall Tourism Performance
- Air Travel Statistics
- Cruise Tourism Analysis
- Visitor Demographics
- Tourist Activities
- Hotel Industry Metrics
Key Takeaways
| Metric | Performance | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total Visitors (Jan-Sep 2024) | 8,362,295 | ↑10% vs 2023 |
| Non-Resident Arrivals | 6,430,400 | ↑7% vs 2023 |
| Cruise Passengers | 1,931,895 | ↑21% vs 2023 |
| Hotel Occupancy | 76% | ↑19% vs 2023 |
| Tourist Satisfaction | 4.5/5 | – |
Overall Visitor Arrivals and Growth
The Dominican Republic‘s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth through September 2024, setting new records and surpassing pre-pandemic levels significantly.
Year-to-Date Performance
From January to September 2024, the Dominican Republic welcomed an impressive 8,362,295 visitors, marking a substantial increase across multiple comparison periods:
- 36% increase compared to 2022
- 10% growth versus 2023
- 45% rise compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic benchmark)
Year-to-Date Growth Visualization
Visitor Growth 2019-2024 (in millions)
2019: ████████████ 5.7M
2020: ███ 2.1M
2021: ██████ 3.4M
2022: ████████████ 6.1M
2023: ███████████████ 7.6M
2024: ████████████████ 8.3M
The steady growth trajectory is particularly evident in the non-resident arrival figures, which reached 6,430,400 visitors during the first nine months of 2024, representing a 29% increase over 2019 levels.
September 2024 Specific Results
September 2024 saw the arrival of 468,916 non-resident visitors, demonstrating:
- 9% growth compared to 2022
- A slight 2% decrease versus 2023
- 45% increase compared to 2019
Air Travel Statistics and Airport Distribution
Airport Traffic Distribution
September 2024’s airport distribution highlights the dominance of key tourist hubs:
| Airport | Share | Passengers | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Cana | 56% | 262,773 | +2.5% |
| Las Américas | 27% | 126,745 | -10.0% |
| Cibao | 12% | 58,592 | +0.2% |
| Puerto Plata | 3% | 14,457 | -4.6% |
| La Romana | 1% | 2,878 | -15.0% |
| Others | 1% | 3,471 | -26.9% |
Flight Operations and Occupancy Rates
The aviation sector showed strong performance with:
- 4,174 commercial flights in September 2024
- 76% average occupancy rate, representing a 10 percentage point increase from 2023
- 2.4% growth in operations compared to 2022
- 7.1% increase versus 2019
Major Airlines and Routes
The United States remains the dominant market with 62% of air traffic, followed by:
- Puerto Rico: 7%
- Colombia: 7%
- Spain: 4%
- Canada: 4%
Cruise Tourism Performance
September 2024 Cruise Statistics
September 2024 cruise tourism showed remarkable growth:
- 111,701 total cruise passengers
- 38 operations
- 36 vessels
- 10 distinct ships
- 38,753 crew members
Port Distribution and Operations
| Port | Share | Passengers | Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Cove | 62% | 69,223 | 15 |
| Taíno Bay | 30% | 33,299 | 9 |
| La Romana | 7% | 8,137 | 2 |
| Santo Domingo | 1% | 1,042 | 12 |
Year-to-Date Cruise Tourism Growth
The January-September 2024 period saw 1,931,895 cruise passengers, representing:
- 141% increase versus 2022
- 21% growth compared to 2023
- 181% rise versus 2019
Tourist Demographics and Behavior
Visitor Origins and Market Share
Key source markets for September 2024:
- United States: 39%
- Florida: 7%
- New York: 7%
- Ontario: 5%
- Quebec: 4%
Length of Stay and Accommodation Preferences
| Accommodation Type | Average Stay | Guest Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 8 days | Adults: 29%, Families: 27%, Adventure: 26%, Seniors: 18% |
| Private | 10 days | Adults: 36%, Seniors: 29%, Adventure: 22%, Families: 13% |
Travel Planning and Booking Patterns
- 39% plan their trips 1-3 months in advance
- 61% travel 1-2 times per year
- 47% book their flights and hotels as package deals
Tourist Activities and Satisfaction
Popular Activities and Experiences
| Activity | Satisfaction Rate | Participation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Saona | 85% | 20% |
| 4-Wheeler tours | 83% | 13% |
| Snorkeling | 89% | 9% |
| Colonial Zone tours | 87% | 8% |
| Horseback riding | 90% | 4% |
Destination Preferences
Most visited destinations with repeat intention rates:
- Punta Cana: 96% satisfaction
- Santo Domingo: 97% satisfaction
- Puerto Plata: 96% satisfaction
- La Romana: 97% satisfaction
Satisfaction Rates and Return Intentions
Overall satisfaction metrics:
- 94% would return to the destination
- 66% would recommend to others
- Overall satisfaction rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hotel Industry Performance
Occupancy Rates
September 2024 hotel statistics:
- 76% general occupancy rate
- 92% room availability
- 94% international guest percentage
Regional Performance
| Region | Occupancy Rate | Trend vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Destinations | 74-85% | ↑ |
| Urban Areas | 65-70% | ↑ |
| Emerging Destinations | 52-61% | ↑ |
Future Projections
Quarterly visitor projections (in millions):
- January-March: 3.2
- April-June: 2.7
- July-September: 2.4
- October-December: 3.1 (projected)
Total projected for year: 11.5 million visitors
Conclusion
The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector has demonstrated exceptional growth through September 2024, with significant increases across all key metrics compared to both pre-pandemic levels and recent years. The diverse offering of experiences, high satisfaction rates, and strong infrastructure continue to position the country as a leading Caribbean destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the total number of visitors to the Dominican Republic in September 2024?
The total number of visitors in September 2024 was 580,617, including both air arrivals and cruise passengers. - Which airport received the most international visitors in September 2024?
Punta Cana International Airport received the highest percentage of visitors, handling 56% of all international arrivals. - What is the average length of stay for hotel guests in the Dominican Republic?
Hotel guests stayed an average of 8 days, while those in private accommodations averaged 10 days. - What percentage of visitors would return to the Dominican Republic?
94% of visitors indicated they would return to the destination, showing extremely high satisfaction rates. - How many cruise passengers visited the Dominican Republic in the first nine months of 2024?
The Dominican Republic received 1,931,895 cruise passengers from January to September 2024, showing a 141% increase compared to 2022. - What are the most popular tourist activities in the Dominican Republic?
The top activities include visits to Isla Saona (85% satisfaction), 4-Wheeler tours (83% satisfaction), snorkeling (89% satisfaction), Colonial Zone tours (87% satisfaction), and horseback riding (90% satisfaction). - How far in advance do most tourists plan their trips?
39% of visitors plan their trips 1-3 months in advance, with 61% traveling 1-2 times per year. - What is the current hotel occupancy rate?
The hotel occupancy rate for September 2024 was 76%, with 92% room availability and 94% international guest percentage. - Which countries are the main sources of visitors?
The United States is the primary source market (39%), followed by significant numbers from Canada, Colombia, and European countries. - How does current tourism compare to pre-pandemic levels?
Current tourism levels show a 45% increase compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic), with significant growth across all metrics.