TORONTO — The DR Tourism Roadshow arrived in Yorkville last night with a gala event at the chic Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.
The evening was dedicated to showcasing the latest tourism developments and experiences across the Dominican Republic, including key destinations Punta Cana, Samaná, Miches, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and La Romana.
There were Dominican-inspired cocktails, cuisine, entertainment and networking opportunities for the overflow crowd.
At the Dominican Republic 2026 Trade Show in Miami last month, Jacqueline Mora, Deputy Technical Minister at the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic (MITUR) shared that Canadian visitation to the Dominican Republic is up 13%.
MITUR has two offices in Canada, in Toronto and Montreal, promoting tourism to the D.R.
More visitors from Canada (and many other inbound markets) means more need for airport capacity, with Punta Cana’s recently expanded Terminal B at PUJ as the latest example.
Other airport capacity initiatives include a new terminal as Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo. Another project, at Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago, aims to double that airport’s capacity to more than 4 million passengers annually, thanks to a US$300 million expansion.
Developing tourism in the D.R.’s “heart”, inland and away from the coastline, is a big part of MITUR’s strategy to diversify the D.R.’s tourism product. While sun-starved Canadians would be hard-pressed to stay away from the D.R.’s famously beautiful beaches, for visitors who are eager to explore other parts of the destination, or just looking for a different sun holiday experience, a few nights in the heart of the D.R. might be just the ticket. There’s a push to develop infrastructure for hotels in the centre.
Highlights in this “heart” include La Vega, and the high-altitude mountain town of Costanza, and the mountainous town of Jarabacoa, known as ‘The City of Eternal Spring.’
Across the D.R., new luxury hotels also mean new luxury hotel developers. Recent hotel news includes Hyatt Ziva Punta Cana, W Punta Cana (W’s first all inclusive), Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Punta Cana.
In the next six years the D.R. is aiming to increase lift capacity to two million. The destination wants at least 20 – 25% to be Canadian travellers.
Ahead of last night’s event Travelweek had a few questions for MITUR …
Q. What visitor numbers are you seeing from Canada?
A. “Canada continues to be one of the Dominican Republic’s strongest and most reliable tourism markets. The country has seen sustained growth in Canadian arrivals as the Dominican Republic continues breaking overall tourism records. With more than 11 million visitors received in 2025 and strong momentum continuing into 2026, Canadian travellers remain among the leading international visitors to the destination, particularly in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana. Tourism authorities and industry partners have highlighted Canada as a key driver behind the country’s continued tourism expansion.”
Q. Is the D.R. seeing a forward booking boom for this summer and also are expectations high for winter 2026-2027?
A. “Absolutely. The Dominican Republic is experiencing very strong forward bookings for summer 2026, while early indicators for the winter 2026-2027 season are equally encouraging. Hotels, airlines and tour operators are reporting sustained demand from major international markets, as travellers continue prioritizing sun destinations with strong connectivity, quality hospitality and all-inclusive value. The outlook for the upcoming winter season is particularly optimistic, with the Dominican Republic positioned as one of the Caribbean’s most in-demand destinations.”
Q. Why are Canadian visitors so important to the D.R.?
A. “Canadian visitors have long played a vital role in the success of the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry. Beyond the volume of arrivals, Canadians are known for their loyalty to the destination, their extended winter stays and their consistent contribution to local economies across the country. The strong cultural connection, accessibility through direct flights and the destination’s reputation for warmth and hospitality continue to strengthen that relationship year after year.”
The D.R. has a long and fruitful relationship with the Canadian travel trade. Incentives for travel advisors include DO Travel Rewards, offering agents the chance to earn cash back for eligible D.R. bookings. More details can be found here.
Lead image caption: Ready for raffle prize giveaways at the DR Tourism Roadshow last night in Toronto
