Tourism has been identified as a significant contributor to the Dominican Republic’s economy in 2025, generating approximately US$21.62 billion and constituting 15.9% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) when considering its direct, indirect, and induced effects, according to the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores).
Economic Impact of Tourism in 2025
During the Asonahores 2026 Trade Show, officials from Asonahores presented these figures, highlighting tourism’s vital role in various economic sectors including employment, foreign exchange earnings, and tax revenues. Directly, the tourism sector accounted for 8.3% of the GDP, showcasing its expansive impact across different areas of the national economy.
Asonahores President Juan Bancalari remarked that the reported outcomes illustrate tourism’s potential to drive economic growth beyond just hotel operations and tourism services, positively impacting numerous sectors.
The industry’s contribution to foreign exchange was notable in 2025, with tourism generating US$11.866 billion, reflecting a 9.3% increase from the prior year. The sector also attracted US$1.288 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), reinforcing its status as one of the leading sectors for international capital in the country.
In terms of employment, tourism-related activities supported a total of 882,419 jobs, which translates to approximately one in every six jobs in the Dominican Republic. This total includes 301,800 direct jobs, 400,610 indirect jobs through supply chains, and another 180,010 induced jobs related to household consumption linked to tourism.
The average salary for jobs in hotels, bars, and restaurants saw an increase from RD$22,705 to RD$27,580 during the year. Additionally, the tourism sector made significant contributions to the Social Security Treasury, amounting to RD$10.774 billion.
Tax revenues generated from tourism activities also demonstrated substantial growth, reaching RD$45.227 billion in 2025, compared to RD$15.611 billion in 2015. This nearly threefold increase over the decade highlights the sector’s expanding role in supporting public finances.
Asonahores further emphasized the broad economic implications of tourism, which extends to industries such as agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, construction, commerce, transportation, and professional services, among others.
Why It Matters
The data from Asonahores underscores the essential role tourism plays not only as a driver of economic growth but also in fostering job creation and supporting various sectors in the Dominican Republic. Understanding this impact can inform policies and investments that further enhance the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
