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Dominican Republic Highlights Golf’s Role in Sports Tourism
Golf is emerging as an important component of the Dominican Republic's sports tourism strategy, with industry leaders pointing to its potential to attract specialized visitors, generate economic activity and strengthen the country's international tourism brand.
The Dominican Republic is looking to sports tourism as a way to broaden its appeal to international travelers, with golf identified as one of the activities capable of complementing the Caribbean nation’s established sun-and-beach offering.
Yerik Pérez, president of the Dominican Association of Sports Tourism (Adoturd), highlighted the sector’s potential to generate economic opportunities, distribute wealth and reinforce the country’s position in international tourism markets.
According to studies by the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) cited by Pérez, approximately 2% of visitors to the Dominican Republic travel to participate in sports activities. Golf is among the disciplines contributing to this segment, although no further breakdown of visitor numbers or spending was provided.
Golf and the diversification of Dominican tourism
Golf’s contribution extends beyond the sporting experience, Pérez said, pointing to its role in creating economic activity and raising the country’s international profile. Developing this segment could help expand the range of experiences available to visitors while complementing the destinations and services traditionally associated with Dominican tourism.
The broader strategy involves strengthening specialized tourism offerings, including sports, cultural and gastronomic experiences. For international travelers, these options can provide additional reasons to explore the country beyond its beaches and resorts.
The scale of golf’s contribution will depend on the sector’s continued development and the ability of tourism, hospitality and sports organizations to work together. The figures cited at the event indicate the presence of a sports-travel segment, but do not establish its total economic value or future growth rate.
Industry leaders discuss golf’s role in the country’s tourism brand
The discussion took place during the second edition of ADOTalk, titled “Golf, Tourism and Country Branding.” The event brought together representatives from the sports, tourism and hotel industries to examine how golf contributes to the Dominican Republic’s tourism value chain.
Adoturd organized the event in partnership with the School of Tourism Management at Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE). Pérez moderated the conversation, which focused on the relationship between golf, tourism development and the country’s international image.
Participants included Enrique Valverde, president of the Dominican Golf Federation (Fedogolf); Félix Olivo, president of Fiebre de Golf Media; Manuel Sajour, executive marketing director of Grupo Puntacana; Raúl Cendoya, general manager of La Romana Country Club at Casa de Campo; and Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of the Dominican Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores).
A broader offer for international visitors
The meeting highlighted the potential for golf to support a more diversified tourism model in the Dominican Republic. By combining established resort destinations with sports and other specialized experiences, the country can seek to appeal to travelers with a wider range of interests.
For the tourism industry, the challenge is to translate that potential into measurable visitor demand and economic benefits. Collaboration among tourism authorities, golf organizations, hotels and destination operators will remain important as the country develops its sports tourism offering.
