Dominican Republic brings a taste of paradise to Toronto as Canadian arrivals climb 13%

Merengue music, Dominican dancing and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled Toronto’s Enercare Centre on Monday (Oct. 26), as more than 1,150 guests and tourism partners gathered for the first Canadian edition of "Meet in Paradise."

Hosted by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism and led by Tourism Minister David Collado, the event brought the destination to Toronto through a trade marketplace, culinary demonstrations, casabe tastings, mamajuana experiences (a traditional Dominican beverage), and traditional faceless doll-making.

Between the music and cultural activities, Canadian travel advisors met one-on-one with Dominican hoteliers, destination management companies, airlines and tour operators. 

The program also included destination training, social media promotion strategies and information about DO Travel Rewards, a loyalty program for travel professionals selling the destination.

Canadian arrivals climb 13 per cent

According to figures supplied by the ministry, 933,715 Canadian residents arrived by air between January and September 2026, an increase of 13 per cent, or 107,627 additional visitors, compared with the same period last year.

Canada remains the Dominican Republic’s second-largest tourism source market after the United States.

In 2025, the destination welcomed 1,157,113 Canadian residents by air, across 6,707 flights and 29 routes. Ontario accounted for 47 per cent of Canadian visitors, followed by Quebec at 39 per cent.

The ministry’s 2026 figures also show that 77 per cent of Canadian visitors arrived through Punta Cana International Airport, while 91 per cent stayed in hotels. 

Family travel accounted for 36 per cent of visitors, and the average stay was eight days.

Jennifer Elias, director of tourism marketing for the ministry, said bringing Meet in Paradise to Canada was an opportunity to strengthen relationships with travel professionals across the country.

“For us, the Canadian market is so important,” Elias added, noting that planning was already underway for 2027.

Elias said the event attracted travel professionals from Montreal, Halifax and Alberta, providing opportunities to connect with advisors and tour operators beyond Ontario.

Previous editions of Meet in Paradise have been held in Miami, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia, she said.

Arajet recalls its Canadian beginnings

Tony Yapure, executive director of the Dominican Association of Airports, discussed efforts to make airport arrivals more efficient.

“We are trying to speed up and simplify the E-ticket process, the passport reading process,” he told attendees.

Victor Pacheco, founder and CEO of Arajet, offered a personal account of Canada’s role in the airline’s early expansion.

“When we started [Arajet] in 2022, we had the dream to fly to North America. We had the dream to fly to the United States. But unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to fly into the United States, and you guys opened your door to us,” Pacheco said.

“So we flew over them and flew to Canada.”

Pacheco said Arajet began scheduled service to Toronto and Montreal with four weekly frequencies, opting for year-round operations rather than seasonal flights.

He also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s role as a connecting hub, with Canadians using Arajet to reach Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, among the airline’s approximately 30 destinations.

New reasons to visit

While Punta Cana remains the main gateway for Canadian visitors, tourism officials are encouraging advisors to look further afield.

“Dominican Republic is not only all inclusive,” Elias told PAX, highlighting opportunities in luxury, wellness, sports tourism and independent travel.

She pointed to Miches, approximately 45 to 50 minutes from Punta Cana’s airport, as an emerging destination for sustainable luxury and nature-based experiences.

The area is preparing for the opening of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia, scheduled for mid-2027 at Playa Esmeralda.

Elias also mentioned a planned Ritz-Carlton development in Macao, near Punta Cana, alongside established luxury properties such as Casa de Campo.

Sports tourism is another priority, with Elias highlighting the Corales Puntacana Championship, a PGA TOUR event at Puntacana Resort & Club, alongside IRONMAN 70.3 Cap Cana and OCEANMAN open-water swimming competitions.

The PGA TOUR event took place in July, while Cap Cana hosted its third IRONMAN 70.3 competition in May. Miches is scheduled to host the OCEANMAN World Final Championship in November.

Elias also highlighted pet-friendly accommodations in Samaná and cultural experiences in Santo Domingo and La Romana as opportunities for advisors looking to diversify their clients’ itineraries.

Aguie Lendor, executive vice-president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES), reinforced that message during remarks delivered in Spanish.

“Today, the Dominican Republic offers beach tourism, honeymoons, weddings, sports tourism, gastronomy, history and culture. It is a country that truly has it all,” she said.

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