The Dominican Republic is celebrating a historic milestone as it surpasses 4 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of the year. With this record-breaking achievement, the country is on track to potentially follow in the footsteps of Cancun, Mexico, as a top tourist destination.
Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the country is projected to exceed 11 million tourists by 2024, a number never seen before in the Dominican Republic. The island received over 3 million air travelers and more than 1 million cruise passengers from January to April, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year.
Most of the visitors to the Dominican Republic come from the United States, Canada, and Colombia, making it a popular destination for international travelers. In comparison, Mexico welcomed 3.6 million tourists in January alone, with Cancun being the preferred destination for many.
Despite the impressive tourist numbers in Cancun, Mexico faces a significant challenge with the annual sargassum seaweed invasion. The issue has raised concerns about the impact on tourism in the region, as large amounts of seaweed are expected to wash up on the beaches in the coming weeks.
In contrast, the Dominican Republic seems to be less affected by the sargassum invasion, with clean beaches reported by beachgoers in popular areas like Punta Cana. The quick response from authorities and hoteliers in removing the seaweed has helped maintain the pristine condition of the beaches, making it an attractive destination for tourists looking for a relaxing beach getaway.