Dominican Republic tourism begins fragile recovery

Significance

Accounting directly and indirectly for 16-17% of GDP in 2019, tourism is a major plank of the Dominican economy and will be key to broader economic recovery in 2021. With that in mind, the government is striving to encourage visitors back as soon as possible.

Impacts

• Cruises are less important to the Dominican Republic than some smaller islands, but the slow recovery of that sector will be a blow.
• The president plans to launch an infrastructure investment programme later this year to help boost employment.
• The dismissal of Health Minister Plutarco Arias over alleged procurement irregularities may undermine government anti-corruption pledges.