Tourism Boom: The Dominican Republic logged a record 7.7 million visitors in the first seven months of 2026 (7% more than last year), with 5.89 million arriving by air and 1.81 million via cruise ports—another sign the sector is still accelerating. Air Connectivity: Arajet says it has already carried 100,000+ passengers between New York and the DR in 2026 and plans a fourth daily Newark frequency soon, betting on stronger diaspora demand. Remittances: Central Bank data shows remittances reached US$7.316B through July 2026 (+6.4%), with the U.S. sending 81.4% of the total. Currency Watch: Economists warn the peso’s 8.4% appreciation vs. the dollar could squeeze export competitiveness and reduce peso income for remittance-receiving families. Climate & Energy: The EU/UNDP-backed “Cold Districts” project launches with US$3.3M to scale sustainable centralized cooling systems and cut energy demand and refrigerant pollution. Public Works & Trade: Government broke ground on “Strong Border” projects in the northern border, including a national market and upgrades to access controls to boost security and organized trade. Property Regularization: VP Raquel Peña delivered 450 property titles in Guayacanal, Azua, as part of a wider titling push aimed at legal security for thousands. Health System Modernization: SNS plans to move 150 hospitals toward greater administrative and financial autonomy over the next two years. Business & Infrastructure Thinking: DP World’s perspective piece argues integration across ports, inland logistics, customs, and digital platforms is becoming the real infrastructure for trade.