In a vibrant ceremony held at Punta Cana International Airport, the Dominican Republic welcomed its 11 millionth visitor on Sunday, December 29, marking a new milestone in the country's tourism history. Bruce Pirt, from Canada with his wife and daughters, was the lucky tourist who symbolizes this achievement, arriving on an Air Transat flight.
The Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado, led the welcome, highlighting the continued growth of the sector and its impact on the Dominican economy. “Surpassing the barrier of 11 million visitors is a historic achievement that consolidates the Dominican Republic as a tourism leader in the region,” said Collado. “This success translates into 949,000 direct and indirect jobs, US$26 billion for the GDP, and 130 billion Dominican pesos in tax revenue.”
Pirt, who celebrated her wedding in the Dominican Republic 20 years ago, expressed her excitement about returning to the country on this special occasion. "The Dominican Republic is a wonderful place, and we are happy to celebrate our anniversary here," she said.
This new record adds to the one achieved in 2023, when the country received 10 million visitors. Minister Collado emphasized that this sustained growth is the result of joint work between the public and private sectors, and predicts an even more promising future for tourism in the Dominican Republic.
SOURCE: MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC