Asonahores rejects claims of massive restaurant closures in DR

Widespread restaurant closures across the Dominican Republic? Far from it. That's the message from Juan Bancalari, president of Asonahores, who pushed back against rumors of a downturn in the gastronomy sector. His point is simple and strong: 68 restaurants opened in Santo Domingo alone over the past year. That is not an industry in crisis, it is one on the rise.

Bancalari's statement, reported by Dominican Today, comes as some voices pointed to a wave of closures due to competition or rising costs. The industry's take is different: local chefs and operators are innovating and finding new ways to serve tourists and residents alike, and the supply keeps growing in tourist hubs and city centers.

My take as an editor: when an industry leader with Bancalari's track record talks about 68 openings in one city, the conversation changes. This is not about stoves going out, it is about making room at the table for more diners, including the thousands of tourists still landing in Punta Cana, Bavaro or Samana. Gastronomy drives travel, and this growth confirms the Dominican Republic is getting stronger as a culinary destination in the Caribbean.