AGP Executive Report

Aviation & Safety: The Dominican Republic strengthened airport health surveillance to prevent Ebola entry, with new mandatory screening and rules requiring airlines to deny boarding to confirmed/probable/suspected Ebola cases and exposed travelers, while returning Dominican citizens can still come back under health protocols. Luxury Tourism Recognition: The DR and Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Miches won top honors at the 2026 Wave Awards, with the country named Caribbean destination with the highest visitor satisfaction for a third straight year and the resort taking Best New or Renovated in the region. Air Connectivity: Iberojet launched direct, weekly Barcelona–Punta Cana flights for summer 2026 (Sundays through September), adding another European gateway to boost arrivals. Weather for Travelers: Saharan dust is expected to keep conditions dry and hazy across the DR through Wednesday, with only brief, localized disruptions possible. Media Spotlight: Jennifer Lopez’s new Netflix rom-com “Office Romance” is set to spotlight the DR as a tropical filming backdrop, potentially adding fresh buzz for leisure travel. Travel Disruption Watch: A private jet crash near La Romana killed two U.S. pilots during an emergency landing attempt, prompting an investigation by Dominican aviation authorities.

Aviation Safety & Tourism Impact: A US-registered Gulfstream G200 private jet crashed during an emergency landing attempt at La Romana International Airport, killing both pilots; the aircraft was reportedly en route to pick up former MLB star Yadier Molina and his family in Texas, and Dominican aviation authorities have launched an investigation. New Air Links: Iberojet will launch direct Barcelona–Punta Cana flights starting June 21, weekly on Sundays through September, adding another nonstop option for summer 2026 travel between Spain and the Dominican Republic. Tourism Environment Watch: Sargassum has been reported covering waters along main Dominican beaches, a reminder for visitors and operators to monitor seaweed conditions. Regional Context: A magnitude 6.1 earthquake near Cuba sent tremors across parts of Florida, underscoring ongoing Caribbean seismic activity that can affect regional travel planning.

Aviation Safety & Tourism Impact: A US-registered Gulfstream G200 jet crashed during an emergency landing attempt at La Romana International Airport, killing the pilot and co-pilot; the aircraft had declared an emergency shortly after takeoff and was returning to land, with Dominican aviation authorities launching an investigation—another reminder of how quickly travel plans can turn risky. Air Connectivity Boost: Iberojet announced direct Barcelona–Punta Cana flights for summer 2026, running weekly from June 21 through September, adding a new nonstop gateway for Spain-based travelers and the Dominican diaspora. Beach Conditions: Sargassum seaweed is again blanketing major Dominican beaches, with reports from Boca Chica and Guayacanes saying the buildup is hurting beachgoers and local vendors as the algae decomposes and drives visitors away. IOC Oversight for 2027: An IOC commission visited Punta Cana to assess logistics for the 147th IOC session in 2027, meeting tourism officials and inspecting venues, including coordination with airport and tourist-area stakeholders. Local Mobility: Santo Domingo’s Metro Line 2C will eliminate a mandatory transfer at Franklín Mieses station, letting riders stay on the same train to María Montez to cut waiting times. Tourism Demand Signal (Canada): Dominican tourism officials say Canadian arrivals are strengthening, with 2025 surpassing 1.1 million visitors and Quebec and Ontario remaining key source markets.

Aviation Safety Shock: Two pilots were killed after a US-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed at La Romana International Airport while attempting an emergency return, with authorities saying no passengers were on board and an investigation is underway. Beach & Resort Impact: Sargassum seaweed is again smothering parts of the Dominican Republic’s main beaches, with reports from Boca Chica and Guayacanes saying the buildup and foul decomposition are scaring off visitors and hitting local vendors and beach services. Tourism Demand Boost: Canada’s market is strengthening for the DR, with Minister David Collado highlighting that the country surpassed 1.1 million Canadian visitors in 2025, and noting Quebec and Ontario as key source provinces. Event Logistics for Punta Cana: An IOC commission visited Punta Cana to assess preparations for the 147th IOC session in 2027, inspecting venues and coordinating airport and tourist-area logistics with tourism officials. Luxury Travel Spotlight: A feature touts Casa de Campo Resort & Villas as the Dominican Republic’s “luxury benchmark,” highlighting its golf, spa, marina dining, and beach access.

Canadian Market Boost: Tourism Minister David Collado’s Montreal push highlights that Canada sent 1.1M visitors to the Dominican Republic in 2025, with Quebec and Ontario leading (Quebec = 39% of arrivals). Travel Safety Reminder: Edeeste urges families to keep kids away from kite-flying near power lines and to avoid using charged electronics while wet during the school holiday season. New Travel Product: Casa de Campo launches its inaugural Cigar & Rum Festival (June 25–28) with top cigar and rum makers, tastings, pairings, and resort packages. Passport Upgrade: The Dominican Republic’s electronic passport wins a High Security Printing Latin America Award for security and innovation. Aviation Connectivity: Minister Middelhof takes steps to strengthen air connectivity, while a new Sunrise Airways daily route links Cap-Haïtien and Santo Domingo. Tourism Demand Angle: A “coolcation” ranking lists the Dominican Republic among top cooler-weather escapes for 2026. On-Brand Spotlight: Dominican Republic music and scenery feature in Netflix’s “Office Romance,” with local artists contributing to the soundtrack.

Air Connectivity: Sunrise Airways opened reservations for a new daily Cap-Haïtien–Santo Domingo route, with evening departures from Haiti and morning returns, boosting cross-island travel options for Dominican-bound visitors. Travel Documents: The Dominican Republic’s electronic passport won a High Security Printing Latin America Award for security and innovation, reinforcing the country’s push to modernize identity and reduce fraud risk for travelers. Coolcation Buzz: Travel And Tour World ranked the Dominican Republic among the Americas’ top “coolcation” destinations for 2026, positioning it as a nature-and-adventure escape as heat drives demand for cooler getaways. Tourism Infrastructure: President Luis Abinader urged the region to prioritize water and sanitation, citing major Dominican investments tied to coastal and tourist-city upgrades that support public health and tourism resilience. Culture & Events: Jarabacoa’s 15th Flower Festival runs through June 7, drawing thousands with ecotourism, crafts, concerts, and a guest festival from Medellín. Film Spotlight: Netflix’s “Office Romance” highlights Dominican Republic scenes, including performances by Dominican musician Yasser Tejeda, adding fresh global visibility for the destination. Upcoming Hospitality: Casa de Campo’s inaugural Cigar & Rum Festival (June 25–28) brings top cigar and rum makers to La Romana, pairing tastings with resort experiences.

Tourism & Travel Deals: A new study lists Punta Cana among the 10 most affordable international summer destinations for Americans, with average round-trip fares around $279–$403. Cruise & Resort Updates: Carnival Cruise Line has upgraded and renamed its Bahamas private island to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, adding a pier, trams, eateries, and more beach amenities—another sign of cruise lines doubling down on shoreside experiences. Film & Culture Spotlight: Netflix’s romcom “Office Romance,” starring Jennifer Lopez, includes Dominican Republic scenes filmed in Samaná Province, adding fresh global visibility for DR’s landscapes and music. Safety for Visitors & Families: Santo Domingo’s Edeeste warns families to keep kids away from flying kites near power lines and to avoid using charged electronics in wet conditions—practical guidance for the school-holiday period. Aviation Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement enabling single-ticket, through-checked itineraries across parts of the Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly. Events: Jarabacoa’s 15th Flower Festival runs through June 7, drawing thousands with concerts, crafts, and ecotourism programming.

Air Connectivity & Regional Links: Curaçao and the Dominican Republic moved to deepen ties after meetings in Santo Domingo, with Curaçao pushing steps to eliminate the visa requirement for Dominican visitors and both sides discussing trade, investment, tourism and aviation connectivity. Tourism Investment Recognition: ProDominicana will honor top foreign investors at the Americas Investment Forum 2026 in Santo Domingo, spotlighting contributions across sectors including tourism and energy. Water & Sanitation for Tourism: President Luis Abinader urged Latin America and the Caribbean to treat water and sanitation as a top development priority, citing major Dominican investments tied to coastal and tourist cities like Verón–Punta Cana. Cultural Travel Pull: Jarabacoa’s 15th Flower Festival runs through June 7, drawing thousands with nature, crafts, gastronomy and major Dominican music acts. New Cruise Demand for DR: Virgin Voyages announced 10 Dominican Republic & Bimini sailings for 2028, with Puerto Plata among the calls. Safety Reminder for Families: Edeeste warned parents to keep children away from flying kites near power lines and to avoid using electronics while charging in unsafe conditions.

Visa & Connectivity Push: Curaçao’s Economic Development Minister Roderick Middelhof met Dominican FM Roberto Álvarez and signed an agreement aimed at removing the visa requirement for Dominican visitors—an expected boost for tourism and trade. Water & Sanitation for Tourism Resilience: President Luis Abinader urged Latin America and the Caribbean to treat water and sanitation as a top development priority, citing major DR investments tied to coastal and tourist cities like Verón-Punta Cana. New Air Links: ITA Airways announced a Rome–Santo Domingo direct route starting Nov. 30, with weekly flights growing to two per week from Dec. 14. Cruise Demand & Product Updates: Virgin Voyages unveiled 38 Caribbean sailings for 2028 from Miami, including 10 five-night Dominican Republic & Bimini trips (Puerto Plata). On-the-Ground DR Travel Culture: Jarabacoa kicked off its 15th Flower Festival edition (June 4–7), with major local and international performers and added Medellín participation. Travel Tech Upgrade: The Dominican electronic passport won a High Security Printing Latin America award for security and innovation.

Air Connectivity Boost: Curaçao’s economic development minister met Dominican aviation authorities and airlines to strengthen air links and position Curaçao as a Caribbean hub. Passport & Travel Security: The Dominican electronic passport won a High Security Printing Latin America award for its security and anti-fraud design, reinforcing confidence for international travelers. Tourism Infrastructure & Water: The Dominican Senate approved US$600M for climate resilience and Punta Cana-Bávaro water and sanitation, including a major wastewater reuse program. Beach Cleanup Push: Tourism authorities delivered 42 pieces of heavy equipment to Boca Chica to fight sargassum and protect the visitor experience. Regional Tourism Leadership: The DR became the first Caribbean country to host LatinoSan 2026 in Punta Cana, spotlighting safe water and sanitation investments for coastal and tourist cities. Power Reliability Upgrade: Edesur Dominicana began importing six transformers from China under a RD$469.8M modernization plan to improve service stability. Local Events: Jarabacoa kicked off its 15th Flower Festival edition (June 4–7), with major Dominican performers and international cultural ties.

Cruise Demand Boost: Carnival is adding a high-profile stop in the Dominican Republic for its first-ever President’s Cruise—Carnival Magic’s Feb. 28, 2027, six-night sailing will call at Amber Cove (plus Bahamas and Grand Turk), with booking due by Aug. 30, 2026. Aviation Connectivity: ITA Airways launches direct Rome–Santo Domingo service starting Nov. 30 (weekly Mondays), then expands to two weekly flights from Dec. 14 through March 2027—another push for European arrivals. Security & Travel Tech: The Dominican electronic passport won an international award for security and innovation, recognizing its electronic and physical anti-fraud features. Tourism Infrastructure & Water: The Senate approved US$600M for climate resilience and Punta Cana-Bávaro water and sanitation—US$200M for climate action and US$400M for INAPA’s sanitation and wastewater reuse expansion. Beach Resilience: The Ministry of Tourism delivered 42 heavy-equipment units to Boca Chica to fight sargassum, including 30 trucks and beach sweepers. Industry Recognition: Dominican hotels and brands picked up multiple nominations for the Wave Awards 2026, with winners announced June 4 in Los Angeles.

Aviation & Tourism Growth: ITA Airways will launch direct Rome–Santo Domingo flights from Nov. 30 (weekly Mondays), adding a second weekly service from Dec. 14 through March 2027—boosting European access to Las Américas and supporting Italy–DR travel demand. Sports Tourism & City Branding: A Dominican government commission has recommended a new MLB-standard stadium in Santo Domingo’s Ensanche La Fe (20,000–21,000 seats), tied to a broader tourism and entertainment development plan. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM reports cruise passenger growth from about 1.2M (2022) to 2.7M (2025), with 32 ship arrivals expected in June (17 at Amber Cove), signaling continued expansion of coastal tourism. Beach Resilience for Visitors: The Ministry of Tourism delivered 42 heavy equipment units to Boca Chica to fight sargassum—30 trucks, six tractors, and six beach sweepers—to protect beach conditions and the visitor economy. Water & Sanitation for Tourist Cities: The Senate approved US$600M for climate resilience and Punta Cana water/sanitation upgrades, including a US$400M IDB-backed phase for wastewater reuse in La Altagracia. International Tourism Promotion: The DR will be Special Guest Country at FIT 2026 in Buenos Aires (Sept. 26–29), showcasing beyond sun-and-beach offerings like golf, wellness, adventure, culture, and MICE. Local Events: Jarabacoa’s 15th Flower Festival runs June 4–7, featuring major Dominican artists and international participation from Medellín’s Flower Fair. Travel Safety Watch: Travelers are being warned about a luggage scam tied to drug smuggling schemes that can lead to arrests abroad, including cases involving flights to the Dominican Republic.

Water & Sanitation Push: The Dominican Republic became the first Caribbean country to host LatinoSan 2026 in Punta Cana (June 2–4), spotlighting safe water and sanitation as a public-health and tourism growth lever. Tourism Infrastructure Finance: The Senate approved US$600M for climate resilience and Punta Cana-Bávaro water and sanitation—US$200M for climate action and US$400M for INAPA’s sanitation and wastewater reuse phase. Power Reliability Upgrade: Edesur Dominicana is moving ahead with six new transformers from China in a RD$469.8M investment to modernize the grid and stabilize service. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM reports cruise growth from ~1.2M arrivals (2022) to 2.7M (2025), with 32 ship calls expected in June. Destination Marketing Wins: Punta Cana and Bahía de las Águilas earned major global mentions (Condé Nast Traveller and Lonely Planet), reinforcing DR’s beach-and-nature appeal. Regional Connectivity: A new LIAT–Air Caraïbes interline deal aims to make Caribbean-to-Europe travel easier via Paris. Bilateral Tourism Link: Suriname’s president visited Santo Domingo and announced visa-free entry for Dominican tourists with US or Schengen visas.

Tourism Awards Buzz: The Dominican Republic is competing for top Caribbean destination honor at the Wave Awards 2026, with multiple DR hotel brands earning nominations ahead of the June 4 Los Angeles gala. Big-Source Market Push: DR has been named Special Guest Country at FIT 2026 in Buenos Aires (Sept 26–29), aiming to spotlight not just beach tourism but also luxury, golf, gastronomy, wellness, MICE, adventure and real estate—plus new air links to South America. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM reports record cruise growth, rising from about 1.2M passengers in 2022 to 2.7M in 2025, and expects 32 ship arrivals in June (up 23.1% year-on-year). Infrastructure for Travel: President Abinader inaugurated a new 13.5-km highway in Barahona to improve access across the southwest, with broader road and airport upgrades in the pipeline. Aviation Connectivity: Arajet received its 16th aircraft, “Pico Diego de Ocampo,” and says it plans to start Santiago operations in 2027. Trade & Tourism Diplomacy: Suriname and DR elevated ties with visa-free tourism entry for Dominican passport holders who already have valid U.S. or Schengen visas, alongside cooperation agreements. On-the-Ground Industry: ASUTIL Conference 2026 is underway in Punta Cana (June 2–5), marking its 25th edition and focusing on where the travel retail industry is headed.

Tourism Promotion Push: The Dominican Republic was named Special Guest Country at FIT 2026 in Buenos Aires (Sept 26–29), with plans to spotlight not just beaches but luxury, golf, gastronomy, wellness, MICE, adventure, culture and tourism real estate. South Coast Connectivity: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the 13.5-km Enriquillo–El Higüero highway in Barahona, part of a wider road network aimed at cutting travel times and boosting access to services and local production. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM reported cruise growth, with passenger arrivals rising from about 1.2M (2022) to 2.7M (2025), and expects 32 ship calls in June. Global Beach Credibility: Punta Cana made Condé Nast Traveller’s “best tropical getaways” list, while Bahía de las Águilas earned a spot in Lonely Planet’s 2026 top beach rankings. Aviation Expansion: Arajet took delivery of its 16th aircraft, “Pico Diego de Ocampo,” and says it will start Santiago operations in 2027. Regional Partnerships: DR and Suriname moved ahead on trade and tourism ties, including visa-free entry for Dominican tourists with valid U.S. or Schengen visas. Boca Chica Overhaul: Abinader announced a RD$20B public-private transformation plan to reposition Boca Chica as a logistics and tourism hub.

Tourism Numbers: The Dominican Republic’s hotels, bars, and restaurants sector grew 5.9% in the first four months of 2026, while air arrivals hit a new milestone: over 900,000 non-resident passengers in a single month for the first time (Jan–Mar topped 2.6M). Air Connectivity: Arajet took delivery of its 16th aircraft, “Pico Diego de Ocampo,” at Cibao International Airport, and says it plans to start regular flights from Santiago in 2027. Bilateral Boost: President Luis Abinader and Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons signed cooperation deals spanning tourism, agriculture, trade, education, and air links; Suriname also announced visa-free entry for Dominicans holding valid U.S. or Schengen visas. Regional Travel Ease: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes launched an interline agreement for smoother Caribbean connections on one ticket with through-checked baggage. English for Visitors: Santo Domingo’s Metropolitan Cathedral began fully English-language monthly masses to better serve English-speaking residents and tourists.