Punta Cana grabs 53% of tourists who arrived in June

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 12, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~2 min

Punta Cana grabs 53% of tourists who arrived in June · turismo.news

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has cemented itself as the undisputed gateway for Dominican tourism. According to data published by Dominican Today, in June PUJ accounted for 53% of all tourists who entered the country by air. The number will not surprise anyone who tracks the eastern destinations, but it does help gauge the real pulse of demand.

In the first half of the year, the Dominican Republic received 37,895 commercial flights, an all-time record representing a 7.7% increase over the same period last year, the same source reports. Everything suggests that air connectivity remains the main growth driver, and Punta Cana continues to be its biggest beneficiary.

My take is clear: PUJ's dominance is no surprise, but it is a wake-up call for the country's other airports. This is not about taking credit away from Punta Cana, which has built an unbeatable hotel and service ecosystem, but rather that Samaná, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo need a more aggressive promotion and connectivity strategy if they want to claw back market share.

The June figure reinforces the idea that investing in air connectivity is the most profitable move any Dominican destination can make. And PUJ, with its record flight numbers, already proves the formula works.

Quick questions

Which airport received 53% of tourists in June?

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) hosted 53% of all air arrivals to the Dominican Republic in June this year.

How many commercial flights did the DR receive in H1?

The Dominican Republic received 37,895 commercial flights between January and June, an all-time record and a 7.7% increase year-on-year.

Why does Punta Cana concentrate such a high percentage of arrivals?

Because of its strong hotel offering, airline partnerships, and airport infrastructure that mainly attract North American and European markets. It is a consolidated ecosystem.

What does this mean for other airports?

They need to boost air connectivity and international promotion to compete. PUJ's success shows that investing in flights is the most direct way to attract tourists.

Will Punta Cana's share keep growing in the coming months?

Likely yes, as flight trends keep rising and major tour operator demand concentrates in the eastern region. But the challenge is balancing growth across destinations.

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