Visitors by Country
Spanish & Italian Tourists to the Dominican Republic
Updated: 2026-06-01
Executive summary
Spain (180k) and Italy (130k) together send about 310,000 tourists per year to the DR. Spain dominates the package market with Iberostar, Meliá, Barceló and RIU hotels; Air Europa, Iberojet and World2Fly fly daily Madrid-PUJ. Italian charters from Milan with Neos are concentrated in summer and Christmas.
Key statistics
180 k
Spain 2024
130 k
Italy 2024
9-14 N
Avg. stay
~9 h
MAD-PUJ
Spain & Italy → Dominican Republic
Both markets benefit from cultural and language ties. Spanish hotel chains run a majority of large Punta Cana resorts (Iberostar, Meliá Paradisus, Barceló, RIU, H10, Catalonia). Italian visitors typically book through tour operators like Alpitour and Veratour with summer and Christmas peaks.
Spanish & Italian tourists to the DR — 2024
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Spain — arrivals 2024 | ≈ 180 k |
| Spain — main gateway | Madrid (MAD) |
| Spain — main carriers | Air Europa, Iberojet, World2Fly |
| Spain — top operators | Iberostar, Meliá, Barceló, Riu, Globalia |
| Spain — avg stay | 9-14 nights |
| Spain — peak season | Jul-Sep, Dec, Easter |
| Italy — arrivals 2024 | ≈ 130 k |
| Italy — main gateway | Milan MXP (charter) |
| Italy — main carriers | Neos, Blue Panorama (charter) |
| Italy — top operators | Alpitour, Veratour, Eden Viaggi |
| Italy — avg stay | 9-14 nights |
| Italy — peak season | Aug, Dec-Jan, Easter |
| Spain + Italy total | ≈ 310 k |
| Hispanic-heritage advantage | Spanish-speaking destination, large Spanish hotel chains |
Sources: MITUR/SITUR, Banco Central RD, INE España, ISTAT, Air Europa, Neos.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do Spanish or Italian citizens need a visa?+
Are flight times similar from Madrid and Milan?+
Sources & methodology
- INE España — Turismo emisor (FAMILITUR) — Spanish outbound tourism (FAMILITUR)
- ISTAT — Viaggi e vacanze degli italiani — Italian outbound tourism statistics
- DMK Abogados — Dominican tourism grew by 9% in 2024 — Source market breakdown, length of stay, daily spend
- Presidencia RD — RD cierra 2024 con récord histórico de más de 11 millones de turistas — Official 2024 arrival totals (Jan 2025)
- MITUR — República Dominicana marca hito histórico: 11.6 millones de visitantes en 2025 — Official 2025 full-year recap, December 2025
- FlightConnections — PUJ direct flights map — Live direct-flight network
- ONE — Oficina Nacional de Estadística (DR) — Llegadas de turistas por nacionalidad — Official arrivals breakdown by nationality
More research from the Data Center
- Dominican Republic — Visitors by Country of Origin
- European Tourists to the Dominican Republic
- French Tourists to the Dominican Republic & Punta Cana
- German Tourists to the Dominican Republic & Punta Cana
- UK Tourists to the Dominican Republic & Punta Cana
- Cost of a Trip to Punta Cana — Full Budget Breakdown 2026
- Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort Prices 2026
Featured
Punta Cana Excursions
Turn what you just read into a real day on the water. These six experiences are the ones we book most for first-time visitors.
Saona Island Premium 4 Beaches Tour
Premium speedboat tour to 4 of Saona's most beautiful beaches — all inclusive.
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Trot along untouched Caribbean shoreline at golden hour.
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Private Yachts
Half-day, full-day or sunset charters with captain and crew.
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