# Dominican Republic nears 8.3M visitors, Asonahores-AIRD, LASER, Lorena Ochoa in Casa de Campo Canonical-URL: https://turismo.news/en/digest/dominican-republic-record-visitors-tourism-industry Text-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/dominican-republic-record-visitors-tourism-industry.txt Markdown-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/dominican-republic-record-visitors-tourism-industry.md Language: en Published: 2026-09-08T13:11:04.328Z Modified: 2026-09-08T13:11:04.328Z Author: Joan Sanz Topics: Destinations, Hotels, Airlines Summary: The Dominican Republic is heading toward record arrivals, boosting its tourism industry and expanding air connectivity. ## Article The Dominican Republic is on pace to close **August with over 8.3 million visitors**, a rhythm that cements the country as the Caribbean's biggest tourism engine and comes with fresh deals to upgrade the product, like the Asonahores-AIRD pact to produce more locally. The picture is of a sector no longer just growing in volume, but also working on quality and supply-chain links, exactly what it takes to hold the lead. ## Today's brief The country is approaching another annual arrival record, with **8.3 million visitors through August 22** according to [Infotur Dominicano](https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/116203-2/). The figure is not yet official, as the MITUR monthly report has not been published, but it confirms strong demand across Punta Cana, Bávaro and Samaná. - **January-August**: the running total beats MITUR's initial projections and hotels keep high occupancy. - **Why it matters**: that volume of travelers sustains local economies and fuels new room investment. - **Watch out for**: the official MITUR release, which should confirm whether the country hits its **best year on record**. ## Destinations Casa de Campo received a premium endorsement as **Mexican golf legend Lorena Ochoa** played the Diente de Perro course, as reported by [Arecoa](https://www.arecoa.com/destinos/2026/09/07/ochoa-leyenda-mexicana-del-golf-femenino-visita-diente-de-perro-en-casa-de-campo/). That is pure marketing for Dominican golf tourism: Ochoa remains one of the most influential women in the sport, and her visit comes as the golf niche grows steadily across the Caribbean. - The visit reinforces **La Romana as a top-tier golf destination**. - Casa de Campo shows sports tourism still pulls luxury travelers. - Golf gains ground in the country's diversification strategy. ## Hotels and industry **Asonahores and the AIRD signed an agreement to boost the productive link between tourism and local manufacturing**, according to [Infotur Dominicano](https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/asonahores-y-aird-acuerdan-fortalecer-el-encadenamiento-productivo-entre-el-turismo-y-la-industria-nacional/). The deal aims for hotels to buy more goods made in the Dominican Republic, from food to furniture, while getting manufacturers closer to the hospitality supply chain. - The pact connects record arrivals with the need to **create more local value**. - Hotels gain supply security, manufacturers get a large-scale client. - The goal is for tourism to deliver not only foreign currency, but also **quality jobs and tax income**. ## Airlines and travel Venezuelan carrier **LASER will operate Barcelona (Venezuela) - Santo Domingo three times a week** during high season after receiving aeronautical approval, per [Infotur Dominicano](https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/laser-operara-vuelos-entre-barcelona-venezuela-y-santo-domingo-rd-con-una-frecuencia-de-tres-vuelos-por-semana/). This adds connectivity with Venezuela, expanding options for both visitors and Dominicans traveling south. - The operation includes **27 special flights** and will run through the peak season. - The route opens a market with strong family and business ties to the DR. - We follow up on yesterday's brief on the [drop in direct flights between the DR and the US](/en/digest/vuelos-directos-rd-eeuu-limitan-viajeros), where route diversification becomes essential. As big markets tighten, regional carriers find room. ## What we are watching - The **official MITUR report** on August arrivals, expected to confirm the 8.3 million record. - The **outcome of the Asonahores-AIRD deal** in upcoming hotel purchasing tenders. - How **LASER's route** performs and whether other Venezuelan airlines follow. - The response of **Dominican golf resorts** at trade shows like Discover Puntacana, starting November 18. The day's picture is a sector that knows a visitor record is not enough unless it turns into development. The alliance between tourism and industry is the right move so that 8.3 million arrivals leave more value across the country, not just in resort areas. With regional connectivity growing and niche destinations working, the Dominican Republic is aiming to close the year on a high note. ## Sources - Infotur Dominicano: https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/116203-2/ - Infotur Dominicano: https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/asonahores-y-aird-acuerdan-fortalecer-el-encadenamiento-productivo-entre-el-turismo-y-la-industria-nacional/ - Arecoa: https://www.arecoa.com/destinos/2026/09/07/ochoa-leyenda-mexicana-del-golf-femenino-visita-diente-de-perro-en-casa-de-campo/ - Infotur Dominicano: https://infoturdominicano.com/rd/laser-operara-vuelos-entre-barcelona-venezuela-y-santo-domingo-rd-con-una-frecuencia-de-tres-vuelos-por-semana/ ## Citation Dominican Republic nears 8.3M visitors, Asonahores-AIRD, LASER, Lorena Ochoa in Casa de Campo. Turismo News. 2026-09-08. https://turismo.news/en/digest/dominican-republic-record-visitors-tourism-industry