Canadian Tourism to the Dominican Republic: 2024 Insights & 2025-2026 Forecast | Transfers & Opportunities.

Executive Summary

In 2024, the Dominican Republic welcomed 8.54 million air arrivals from non-residents—a record high. Canada remained the second-largest source market with strong winter seasonality, boosted by expanded airlift from Canadian airlines. For the 2025-2026 season, demand is expected to grow, supported by additional winter capacity (Air Canada, WestJet/Sunwing, Air Transat) and a shift in Canadian outbound travel toward the Caribbean. This creates concentrated peaks at airports (PUJ, POP, AZS), requiring transfer companies to strengthen fleet management, B2B agreements, and customer service tailored to Canadian travelers.

1) What Happened in 2024?

Arrivals and Canada’s role

• The Dominican Republic recorded 8,535,701 tourist arrivals by air, a 5.9% increase vs. 2023.

• Canada was among the top markets (second after the U.S.), with a heavy concentration in the winter months.

Air capacity

• In 2024, there were 7,084 flights between Canada and the DR, covering 34 routes, with 83% occupancy and an average of 172 passengers per flight—over 1.2 million passengers transported.

Canadian outbound demand

• Canadians made 38.7 million trips abroad (+3.7% YoY) and spent CAD 52.9 billion on international travel.

Key Dominican airports for Canadians

• Punta Cana (PUJ) dominates, followed by Puerto Plata (POP) and Samaná (AZS) in winter.

2) Outlook for 2025-2026

Global tourism trends

• International arrivals grew +5% in H1-2025 vs. H1-2024. The Caribbean saw slower growth due to weaker U.S. demand, but Canada remains a growth driver for the DR.

Air capacity expansion

• Air Transat: ~300 weekly flights for winter 2024-2025, including Punta Cana and Puerto Plata; summer 2025 keeps DR routes.

• WestJet/Sunwing Vacations: first full winter 2025-2026 season with flights from 20+ Canadian airports to the DR, adding Samaná (AZS).

• Air Canada: expanded winter 2025 schedule, with up to 3 daily flights Montreal–Punta Cana, plus Toronto–Punta Cana.

Market dynamics

• Canadians are traveling less to the U.S. in 2025 (due to currency and political factors) and shifting toward Mexico and the Caribbean. The DR is well-positioned to benefit.

Outlook conclusion
The 2025-2026 winter season is expected to deliver high occupancy, driven by Canadian demand and airline capacity. Risks include exchange rates, fuel prices, and competition from Mexico/Cuba.

Conclusion: How Transfer Companies Benefit from Canadian Tourism Growth

The continued rise of Canadian tourism to the Dominican Republic is more than just a statistic—it is a direct opportunity for transfer and transportation companies across the country. Every additional flight from Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver translates into hundreds of passengers who require reliable ground transportation from airports like Punta Cana (PUJ), Puerto Plata (POP), and Samaná (AZS).

Key benefits for transfer companies include:

• Higher passenger volumes: With over 1.2 million Canadians already flying to the DR annually and more capacity announced for 2025-2026, transfer providers can expect consistent demand spikes during peak winter months.

• Premium market segments: Canadian families, snowbirds, and group travelers often prioritize comfort, safety, and bilingual service, which creates opportunities for upselling premium vans, SUVs, or private transfers.

• Stable seasonal cycles: The heavy concentration of Canadian arrivals between December and March allows transfer companies to plan staffing, fleet expansion, and promotional campaigns around predictable demand.

• Stronger B2B partnerships: As Canadian tour operators (Air Canada Vacations, Transat, Sunwing/WestJet Vacations) expand their packages, local transfer companies can secure steady contracts, ensuring long-term revenue streams.

• Revenue diversification: Beyond airport pick-ups, there is potential to bundle services—city transfers, excursions, or stopovers—that appeal to Canadian travelers seeking convenience and added value.

In essence, the growth of Canadian tourism strengthens the backbone of the transfer sector, offering not only more passengers to move but also better opportunities to scale operations, build international partnerships, and differentiate through service quality. For Dominican transportation providers, aligning their operations with Canadian travel trends is not just an adjustment—it is a pathway to sustained profitability in the 2025-2026 seasons and beyond.