# Asonahores rejects claims of massive restaurant closures in DR

Canonical-URL: https://turismo.news/en/digest/asonahores-rejects-restaurant-closures
Text-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/asonahores-rejects-restaurant-closures.txt
Markdown-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/asonahores-rejects-restaurant-closures.md
Language: en
Published: 2026-09-03T13:46:24.779Z
Modified: 2026-09-03T13:46:24.779Z
Author: Joan Sanz
Topics: Hoteles y Resorts
Summary: Dominican gastronomy keeps growing. Asonahores denies rumors about widespread closures and cites 68 new restaurants in Santo Domingo alone over the past year.

## Article

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](https://dominicantoday.com/asonahores-rejects-claims-of-widespread-restaurant-closures-in-dominican-republic/), 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.

## Sources

- Dominican Today: https://dominicantoday.com/asonahores-rejects-claims-of-widespread-restaurant-closures-in-dominican-republic/

## Citation

Asonahores rejects claims of massive restaurant closures in DR. Turismo News. 2026-09-03. https://turismo.news/en/digest/asonahores-rejects-restaurant-closures