Dominican Republic shatters record for arrivals with 11.6 million visitors in 2025 The end of December 2025 marks a historic milestone for tourism in the Dominican Republic, as air arrivals grew by over 10%, reaching a figure close to 960,000 tourists in a single month, the highest monthly record ever achieved by the country. With this performance, the Dominican Republic closed the year with 11.6 million visitors, consolidating the best result in the history of Dominican tourism. This achievement cannot be interpreted as a temporary recovery, but rather as confirmation of a resilient tourism model, capable of growing and sustaining itself in a global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, and changes in international travel patterns. The performance achieved during the year should be analyzed from a resilience and diversification perspective. The result far exceeds the best pre-pandemic level, when around 667,000 tourists were received monthly, in a considerably more [...]

UN Tourism Confirms New Secretary-General: Shaikha Al Nowais to Become First Woman Leader in 2026 Ms. Al Nowais will be the first woman to lead the United Nations Specialised Agency for tourism in its 50-year history. She will begin her term at the start of 2026, having gained significant experience in the private sector, most notably as Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels. She also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy. Addressing the Assembly, the Secretary-General-elect said: “This is a triumph for all of us. It is a shared moment that reflects our collective vision for a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate world of tourism. Together, we represent the hopes of millions whose lives are touched by this sector. Together, we carry the belief that tourism, at its best, can uplift nations [...]

‘Rebranded plantations’: how empire shaped luxury Caribbean tourism Luxury tourism in the Caribbean sells a kind of timelessness. A paradise of sun, sea and sand. But to step off the cruise ship or away from the all-inclusive resort is to see a more complex picture: a history of colonialism and a future of climate devastation. New research from the Common Wealth thinktank maps how, over the 400 years since the first English ships arrived in Barbados, empire engineered a system of wealth extraction that shapes the tourism economies of today. Sir Hilary Beckles, Barbadian historian and chair of the Caricom Reparations Commission, describes Barbados as the birthplace of British slave society. Between 1640 and 1807, Britain transported about 387,000 enslaved west Africans to the island. Extraordinary violence, from whippings to amputations and executions, were a regular feature of their lives. On the Codrington Plantation in the mid-18th century, 43% of the enslaved died within three years of [...]

The decline in American tourism hits Mexico and the Caribbean: Everything you need to know Mexico joins Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Cuba, and others in the Caribbean facing a sudden decline in U.S. tourist arrivals in the last month of this year due to shifting travel trends. Despite the region’s usual appeal, with its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and vibrant tourism scenes, December saw a notable dip in visitors from the U.S. This decline can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changing travel preferences, economic challenges, and increased competition from other destinations. While these Caribbean spots continue to offer unique experiences, the decrease in U.S. arrivals signals the need for the region to adapt and reassess its appeal to maintain its position as a top tourist destination. Understanding these shifts is key for both travelers and the tourism industry in the Caribbean. Mexico: A Slight Decline Doesn’t Diminish Its [...]

Dominican Republic’s environmental milestone: achieves first resolution on sargassum at the UNEA The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) adopted the resolution “Strengthening the global response to the massive influx of Sargassum blooms,” drafted and presented by the Dominican Republic and co-sponsored by Barbados and Jamaica, marking a milestone for the country’s environmental diplomacy and the Greater Caribbean region. This resolution constitutes the first instrument adopted by the UNEA to address the phenomenon of Sargassum, and the first resolution presented by the Dominican Republic to this body, consolidating years of diplomatic work to highlight the growing impact of the massive blooms of this macroalga. It is worth remembering that President Luis Abinader highlighted the urgency in the Caribbean to find a solution to the arrival of these algae on beaches, their impact on tourism, and how the Dominican Republic has been addressing this issue. The text acknowledges that massive influxes of Sargassum represent a ‘serious and growing socio-economic and environmental [...]