In an emotion-filled ceremony held at Punta Cana International Airport, the Dominican Republic reached a historic milestone by welcoming its 11 millionth visitor, reaffirming its leadership as a tourist destination in the region. The lucky tourist, Bruce Pirt, originally from Canada, arrived with his wife and daughters on an Air Transat flight, symbolizing this monumental achievement for the country.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, presided over the welcome, highlighting the importance of this achievement for the national economy and the tourism sector. “Overcoming the barrier of 11 million tourists is an unprecedented milestone that confirms the Dominican Republic as the leading destination in the Caribbean and Latin America,” Collado said. “This success translates into 949,000 direct and indirect jobs, a contribution of 26 billion dollars to GDP, and 130 billion Dominican pesos in tax revenues, reflecting the positive and vital impact of tourism for our nation.”
“We’re excited to celebrate our anniversary in this unique and welcoming destination.” – Bruce Pirt
In terms of air connectivity, 2024 has been an exceptional year, with more than 3,500 flights between Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Six airlines operated scheduled routes, including Copa Airlines, Avianca, Arajet, Wingo and Air Century. During the period from January to November 2024, the country received 301,279 Colombian visitors by air, 11% more than in the same period in 2023. In 2023, the country registered an increase of 19%, reaching 305,643 Colombian tourists.
For Bruce Pirt, this trip has a deep meaning, as he celebrated his wedding in the Dominican Republic 20 years ago. “To come back here is to relive priceless memories. It’s a special place where we feel at home, and we’re excited to celebrate our anniversary in this unique and welcoming destination,” he enthusiastically shared.
This record continues the success achieved in 2023 when the Dominican Republic surpassed 10 million tourists. Collado attributed this sustained growth to close collaboration between the public and private sectors and expressed optimism about the future of tourism in the country. The arrival of the 11 million visitors not only marks a historic milestone but further consolidates the Dominican Republic as the favorite destination in the Caribbean.
For more information about the Dominican Republic, visit the website www.godominicanrepublic.com.

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado welcomed the 11 millionth visitor to the Dominican Republic. Photo credit: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.