The month of July 2022 set a new record for tourist arrivals in the Dominican Republic, a fact that endorses the work of Luis Abinader and the measures implemented to strengthen and modernize a key sector for the economy and for the people of the Dominican Republic.
The energy crisis facing the world has a major impact on different tourist powers. The freeze or devaluation of wages globally, the instability and precariousness of employment that prevail in major economic powers, the uncertainty of families, and the effects of inflation caused by the greed of companies and the great fortunes listed at the top of the Forbes list affect the economic capacity of families worldwide. As a result, families have found themselves facing a summer in which vacation expenses have to be reduced or eliminated if they want to survive.
Spain, one of the world’s tourism engines, published its unemployment figures for the month of July and, for the first time in decades, lost jobs in the service sector. Traditionally, it is a hiring period to accommodate the arrival of national and foreign tourists. However, rising prices and the arrival of fewer visitors meant that the hospitality and service sector did not create the expected jobs.
In the Dominican Republic, the situation is different. Thanks to the administration of Luis Abinader, in July, the number of tourists exceeded historical figures and reached 734,000 arriving in the country by air, with an addition of nearly 100,000 on cruise ships. In total, so far in 2022, the Dominican Republic has received 4.18 million tourists and is expected to exceed 7 million by December 31.
These data prove the effectiveness of Luis Abinader’s management in a key sector for the Dominican economy, a management that has placed the country among the world tourism powers, as has been recognized internationally.
Upon taking office, Abinader implemented a series of measures for the sector’s revival, including vaccinating all workers to offer visitors a “Covid-Free” environment, which has been key to the tourism resurgence.
Moreover, the personal efforts of the Dominican president, with the signing of agreements for the opening of new direct airline routes from countries whose citizens had not chosen the Caribbean country as a vacation destination or to increase the offer to countries that traditionally received tourists, have had an effect. Abinader’s management has increased the number of tourists and, consequently, the foreign exchange retained in the country and the consequent increase in job creation.
However, Mr. Abinader is not alone in this endeavor and knows that the climate, beaches, and natural environment of the Dominican Republic, which attract international tourism, are not sufficient. The country cannot rest on its laurels. There have already been clear examples of paradisiacal places that died from success, and Abinader is not willing to allow this.
That is why he also launched a public education strategy so that, in addition to what the Dominican Republic already offers, tourists return to their country with the idea of coming back because they have seen a tourism model based on added value and quality.
For example, the Ministry of Tourism recently trained more than 90 players who provide services in the tourism and cruise sectors, with the aim of achieving excellence in the products they offer to cruisers during their tours and excursions. In this way, Abinader’s government aims to provide tourists with authentic experiences and quality service.
On another level, Abinader’s strategy will also bring very powerful investments. Specifically, on June 19, during the board of directors meeting of the Development Bank of Latin America, the bank’s leaders expressed particular interest in the tourism development project in Pedernales.
In the face of these unprecedented figures in the history of the Dominican Republic, for which the new style of government of Luis Abinader is solely responsible, there is no room for populism or manipulation.
