Why the Dominican Republic is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for golf travellers

The Dominican Republic has long been one of the Caribbean's most popular holiday destinations, and its appeal is becoming increasingly diverse.

White-sand beaches, turquoise waters and year-round sunshine remain powerful attractions. However, championship golf courses, luxury accommodation, gastronomy and a growing range of experiences are helping the country appeal to travellers looking for more than a traditional beach holiday.

According to the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, the country welcomed 4,963,343 non-resident arrivals during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 10% on the same period in 2025.

Punta Cana, the country’s main tourism hub, accounted for 62.8% of those arrivals, with its own total increasing by 9.6% compared with the first half of 2025.

For Puntacana Resort, a 15,000-acre destination boasting 45 holes of golf and an extensive collection of leisure facilities, the increased appetite for Caribbean travel has contributed to what Sales Manager Mark Fraser describes as a record-breaking year in occupancy and golf bookings.

But what is driving this demand, and why are so many international travellers choosing the Dominican Republic?

Fraser believes the country's success can partly be attributed to challenges facing competing Caribbean destinations.

Political uncertainty, infrastructure difficulties and extreme weather elsewhere in the region have, Fraser believes, influenced travel patterns and created opportunities for the Dominican Republic to attract additional visitors.

Fraser points to disruption in Cuba's tourism industry, the impact of a hurricane on Jamaica in October 2025 and changing travel preferences in key markets such as Canada as contributing factors.

However, the Dominican Republic's own stability and established tourism infrastructure have also helped position it favourably.

“We are in a very good position with a stable economy, with a stable government, and relatively low crime,” Fraser said.

“We're relatively unscathed when it comes to any situations around our region, so we're looking at another year of increased travel for the Dominican Republic, and by demand, we benefit despite being a very high-end property with a big-price ticket that is attached to our property.

“Our prices go up with demand. We have dynamic pricing, and then other hotels in the area or in the Dominican Republic in general, they're benefiting from higher occupancy, not necessarily a higher price tag.”

North America remains the Dominican Republic's most important international tourism market, with the United States and Canada particularly significant for Punta Cana.

During the first six months of 2026, American arrivals through Punta Cana International Airport increased by 3.9% to 1,274,468, while Canadian arrivals rose by 10.9%.

“Canadians are number two on the list, and the United States is number one, because of sheer size of population. But if you look at per capita, Canada is number one.

“Number three is Argentina. Then you have Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, and other countries. We're getting a lot of South American travellers, and it's due to direct flights that didn't exist (previously).”

Fraser credits improved air connectivity, particularly through Dominican airline Arajet, with helping to make Punta Cana more accessible to travellers from across the Americas.

For international golf travellers, accessibility is especially important, and Puntacana Resort has a distinctive advantage.

Its proximity to Punta Cana International Airport allows guests to travel directly to the resort without navigating the public road network, while dedicated arrival services at Tortuga Bay simplify the experience further.

Fraser believes the convenience and simplicity of the journey provide an important advantage, particularly for international visitors arriving after long flights.

“You leave the airport and you drive straight into the gates on a private road where there's absolutely no traffic. Safety is an issue, and you don't have that issue with us. That's a key selling point.

“It feels like the vacation starts as soon as the plane doors open. Those are all the things that make a huge difference.”

Puntacana Resort's golf offering centres on two contrasting sites, providing 45 holes across a spectacular stretch of Caribbean coastline.

La Cana, designed by P.B. Dye, features 27 holes divided into three nine-hole loops: Tortuga, Hacienda and Arrecife.

Corales, designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2010, provides a different challenge, with dramatic oceanfront holes positioned among coral formations and rugged coastal cliffs.

For Fraser, the natural surroundings are among the resort's greatest selling points.

“We're fortunate to have two very different coastlines within eight minutes of each other. La Cana is a beach property, every shade of blue you could think of, and it is paired up really well with the green fairways and the white sand.

“If you go eight minutes down the street, you're at Corales, which is deep, dark blue water, fierce cliff lines, and it's a different experience and equally awe-inspiring.

“That pull of being along the ocean and seeing infinity and beyond makes every shot a little more spectacular when you're hitting over water. It could be 120 yards and people still feel it's a more spectacular par 3 than if they were playing a par 3 at home with a pond in front of it.”

Corales has also established an international reputation through the Corales Puntacana Championship, a PGA Tour event that brings professional golf to the destination.

Fraser believes the appeal extends beyond course design and spectacular scenery. Dominican hospitality, particularly the relationships golfers develop with their caddies, is an equally important part of the experience.

“We have a lot of good going on here, and pair that with the Dominican hospitality. You have a caddie that's fun and charming. They know what they're doing. They make you feel good about your round of golf. They make you feel like you're a superstar when you're playing golf, and you don't get that charisma anywhere else.

“That's what people remember so much – ‘I had a great time. The course was phenomenal. My caddie was excellent. I felt like a million bucks when I finished my round’. It's hard to replicate because this place makes you feel that special.”

While golf remains a major attraction for visitors, Fraser has noticed different priorities among guests.

Rather than travelling exclusively to play several rounds, many are incorporating golf into longer family holidays featuring a wider range of activities.

Puntacana Resort's wider offering includes the Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve, home to natural springs, alongside different sports and relaxation facilities.

“They're doing some of the local excursions on site. They'll play tennis, padel. Some of them do polo, so there's a lot more to it. They are mostly our guests coming in from Europe and the UK. Our American travellers are mostly coming in for golf.”

Accommodation ranges from the 200-room Westin Puntacana Resort to Tortuga Bay, a collection of luxury beachfront villas featuring interiors designed by Oscar de la Renta.

The variety enables the resort to cater for dedicated golf groups, couples and families with different expectations of their holidays.

Fraser also highlights the importance of established relationships with golf tour operators, which generate a substantial proportion of the resort's business.

“About 70% of our business comes through golf tour operators, which means it's a very important piece of the puzzle, but it also means we're reliant on tour operators putting our product in front of the guests.”

One area where the Dominican Republic is increasingly seeking to differentiate itself is gastronomy.

Historically associated with all-inclusive holidays, the country is placing greater emphasis on the quality, authenticity and variety of its culinary offering.

Research reported by Dominican publication Acento revealed that 78% of tourists surveyed in July 2025 found Dominican cuisine attractive, while 84% of these consumed local food during their visit.

Furthermore, 67% reported that the cuisine exceeded their previous culinary experiences.

The findings coincide with a wider national effort to strengthen gastronomic tourism.

In April 2025, the Dominican Restaurant Association began implementing a five-year sustainable gastronomic tourism plan, designed to promote local ingredients, celebrate regional culinary identities and improve restaurant standards.

For Puntacana Resort, the shift is already influencing investment priorities.

“We have gastronomy that is rivalling many other destinations. We can put up some of our top chefs and top restaurants, and we will come out ahead or at least equal.

“That's one thing we've been doing as a resort for the past two or three years now, really doubling down on the quality of food that we're serving.

“Our hotel is not necessarily going to change. It's still going to be 200 rooms. The beach is not going to change. But things like food you can change quickly.

“The people that eat in our resort and the people that drink in our resort are seeing that the Dominican Republic is now a place where you can get one of the best steaks you'll ever eat, or you'll have some of the freshest seafood, or the most savoury desserts. Those things are now a top USP for us.”

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