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Dominican Republic Identifies Three Key Challenges to Sustain Tourism Growth
As tourism continues to expand in the Dominican Republic, Vice Minister of Tourism Jacqueline Mora says the country must strengthen its workforce, modernize airport infrastructure, and invest in sustainability to support long-term growth and meet changing visitor expectations.
The Dominican Republic’s sustained tourism growth is creating new opportunities while also increasing pressure on the country’s infrastructure and services. According to Jacqueline Mora, the Dominican Republic’s Vice Minister of Tourism for Technical Affairs, maintaining the sector’s momentum will depend on addressing three strategic priorities: developing a skilled workforce, expanding airport capacity, and strengthening sustainability initiatives.
Speaking during an interview with local radio station Z101, Mora said the country’s tourism industry must continue adapting as visitor numbers rise and the market evolves toward higher-value travel experiences.
Preparing the Workforce for Luxury Tourism
Mora identified human capital as the industry’s most pressing challenge. She said the Dominican Republic needs to train workers capable of meeting the expectations of the growing luxury tourism segment, which requires a higher level of service than the country’s traditional all-inclusive model.
According to the vice minister, attracting more upscale travelers not only diversifies the country’s tourism offering but also creates opportunities for better-paying jobs. She argued that investing in workforce training would improve service quality while helping raise wages for tourism employees.
Airport Infrastructure Must Keep Pace With Demand
A second priority is expanding and modernizing airport infrastructure to accommodate increasing air traffic. Mora said continued tourism growth requires additional flights, which in turn depend on airports with greater capacity and improved facilities.
She noted that investments are already underway at Santiago’s airport, while improvement projects continue at Punta Cana International Airport. She also said further investment should continue at Las Américas International Airport (AILA), the country’s main gateway serving Santo Domingo.
Sustainability Remains Essential for Long-Term Growth
Mora described sustainability as another critical pillar for the future of Dominican tourism. She stressed that visitors are less likely to choose destinations affected by environmental problems or poor urban management.
Among the priorities she highlighted were improving solid waste management, increasing efforts to address the seasonal influx of sargassum seaweed, and investing in recycling and other long-term solutions for managing the algae. She emphasized that the issue requires sustained investment as tourism continues to expand.
The Dominican Republic has experienced steady growth in international tourism in recent years, making continued investment in skilled labor, transportation infrastructure, and environmental management increasingly important to maintaining the country’s competitiveness as one of the Caribbean’s leading travel destinations.
