Dominican Republic tourism generates income that stays in the communities
The tourism sector represents a valuable market niche for Dominican artisans, who find in this space the opportunity to offer their products and reinvest in their businesses
According to José Damián Matías, founder of MIL de Arte y Artesanía, the proceeds from the sale of handcrafted items flow directly into the neighborhoods and help boost the local economy.
He noted that among the star products are the traditional faceless doll, as well as wooden chests and trays painted with native landscapes. "These pieces sell for between $3 and $70, and are purchased by both tourists and local consumers. All the money earned is invested in the grocery store, the children's school, and the local cafe. These are resources that stay in the community," Matías emphasized.
Like Matías, Teresa Ruiz, who has been working as a mail carrier for six years in a town in La Romana, sees tourism as an important sector to boost her business. “This is where I pay employees, suppliers, and my household bills. It's a way that keeps tradition alive and, at the same time, the local economy.”
Likewise, Ofelia Méndez of Dylemi Care explains that tourism is a niche that transcends, allowing her to sell the aromatherapy oils and medicinal soaps she makes with other women in her community.
Not only do artisans find a market for their products in tourism, but dozens of women farmers in vulnerable areas also see this sector as a market that adds value to their crops.
Such is the case of Bianca García, a producer of celery, radishes, carrots, spinach, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and various varieties of lettuce in Monte Plata for 15 years, who has been selling to the hotel sector for more than six months.
The Trade Show sold out all of its spaces, with some 30 companies still waiting. García is part of the sustainability and social responsibility project that integrates women, youth, farmers, and people with disabilities into the tourism value chain, benefiting more than 360 families who sell products directly, including fresh vegetables such as basil, romaine lettuce, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, and eggplant.
According to Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), significant purchases have been made under this project.
He said that in the case of La Altagracia (Higüey), producers Gina Jaragua, María Ruiz, and Jagua Mocha recorded sales of RD$354,529 in 61 operations, with clients such as Club Med, Viva, and Margaritaville. In La Vega (Central Cibao), the Villa Poppy project achieved sales of RD$5.5 million in one year, supplying companies such as Narex, Grupo Raya, Hilton, and Outback Steakhouse.
Sector that drives
These testimonies coincide with the data provided by Juan Bancalari, president of Asonahores, who emphasized that tourism has a multiplier effect on the economy, as it buys into key sectors such as agriculture, industry, technology, construction, logistics, and professional services.
He explained that in 2022 alone, the hotel industry acquired more than RD$139 billion in the local market, consolidating thousands of productive chains.
He also stated that more than RD$155 billion of the treasury comes from tourism: one in every ten pesos of tax revenue comes from this industry.
On the other hand, he highlighted that foreign direct investment in the country reached record levels of US$4.39 billion in 2023 and US$4.512 billion in 2024, with the tourism sector being the main recipient of these resources.
He said the projections are for continued growth and to generate $11.4 billion in foreign currency, higher than last year's revenue, citing projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council for the Dominican Republic.
Bancalari spoke about the sector's expectations during the 37th Asonahores Trade Fair, which brought together more than 145 companies in 316 booths.
The fair, held in Punta Cana over three days, featured companies from Spain, Mexico, Italy, Costa Rica, and the People's Republic of China.
Social inclusion
Sustainability
Miriam Batista, director of Economic Development at Supérate, highlighted that the Family Agriculture, Super Entrepreneurial Women, and Dominican Hands programs promote social inclusion by connecting vulnerable communities with the tourism sector and have 36 shadow houses in different provinces.
Source: Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.