533,735 tourists arrived in the DR in September; Collado highlights Puerto Plata’s recovery

The United States accounted for 59% of tourists arriving in the country in September

Puerto Plata.- The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, presented for the first time in the province of Puerto Plata the figures for tourism performance corresponding to the month of September, highlighting that the Dominican Republic recorded the best September in its history in tourist arrivals by air.

Collado reported that during September, 533,735 tourists arrived in the country by air, an 8.8% growth compared to 2025, 3.8% compared to 2024, and 65% compared to September 2019, before the pandemic.

According to the minister, 444,173 of the visitors were foreigners, equivalent to 83% of the total, while 89,302 corresponded to Dominicans residing abroad.

In the case of Puerto Plata, Collado highlighted the growth recorded by the Gregorio Luperón airport, which received 16,767 passengers in September, an increase of 37% compared to 2025, 16% compared to 2024, and 15% compared to 2019.

The official stated that these figures reflect the recovery of Puerto Plata, driven by the growth of hotel, real estate, and cruise tourism, in addition to the investments being made in the province.

“Puerto Plata is at its best,” assured Collado, while also highlighting the arrival of the first Disney ship to the Dominican Republic, with Puerto Plata among its destinations.

The minister explained that the growth in tourism is a response to a market diversification strategy, with increased promotion in the United States, Canada, South America, and Central America, following the effects caused by the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The United States accounted for 59% of tourists arriving in the country in September, with a year-on-year growth of 16%, while Canada contributed an increase of 46%. Markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Puerto Rico also recorded growth.

Collado pointed out that transparency is part of the Ministry of Tourism’s management and recalled that since the beginning of his administration, he made a commitment to present the sector’s results monthly, whether they were positive or negative.

In the first nine months of the year, the Dominican Republic has accumulated 7,141,993 tourists by air, a figure that represents a growth of 8.6% compared to 2025, 11.1% compared to 2024, and 43% compared to 2019.