Tourism Surge: The Dominican Republic logged a historic 6.6 million international visitors in the first half of 2026, with cruise tourism and expanded air connectivity driving the boom. Cruise Market Concentration: Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian together accounted for over 84% of cruise passengers in the period, with Taíno Bay emerging as a top port. Public Transport Upgrade: Fitram rolled out an integrated mass-transit fare system in Santo Domingo—one RD$35 electronic payment for Metro, Teleférico and bus corridors—aimed at simplifying commuting. Remittances: Inflows hit US$6.21 billion in the first half of 2026, supported by a strong Dominican diaspora in the U.S. Housing & Permitting Push: MIVHED enabled private construction projects worth over RD$330 billion in the first semester and boosted building permits, signaling faster project approvals. Energy & Minerals Mapping: UT Austin and the Energy Ministry moved from planning to field work on a long-running assessment of onshore/offshore energy potential and critical minerals through March 2027. Local Tourism Planning: The Ministry of Tourism created a permanent working group to coordinate Bayahibe’s long-term development with community, hotels and merchants. Security & Compliance: Police seized 105 illegal slot machines in Greater Santo Domingo and nearby provinces, renewing pressure on businesses to follow gambling rules.