New Safety Regulations Proposed for Short-Term Rentals in Punta Cana and Beyond

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Minister of Tourism David Collado has announced that the Dominican government is moving forward with the regulation of Airbnb-style short-term rentals, shifts intended to bolster visitor safety and organizational transparency within the sector.

The proposed regulatory framework focuses on establishing a mandatory registry for all vacation rental properties. Collado clarified that the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) is focused strictly on safety and logistics, noting that the agency does not have jurisdiction over fiscal or tax-related matters.

“We have nothing to do with the tax aspect. That is a matter for the Ministry of Finance and the DGII (General Directorate of Internal Taxes),” Collado stated. “What we are seeking is a step towards order for security reasons.”

Safety as a Regulatory Priority

The minister emphasized that a formal registry would provide authorities with critical data on where tourists are staying and how many accommodations are operating under these digital platforms. This information is considered vital for emergency responses and for coordinating with foreign embassies in the event of an incident involving international travelers.

“If a tragedy occurs involving a tourist in an Airbnb apartment, the embassies come to us,” Collado added. “That is why we need to have basic information and keep tourism organized.”

Broadening the Tourism Infrastructure

The regulation initiative is part of a larger strategic plan to modernize territorial planning in high-growth destinations, including Verón-Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Samaná, and Las Terrenas. These efforts aim to integrate sustainable tourism measures into the nation’s primary coastal corridors.

In addition to regulatory updates, the government disclosed two major educational projects:

• Tourism Training Academy: A new partnership with the Spanish firm Iberostar Group to establish a specialized training center in the Bávaro-Punta Cana area.
• National Curricula Integration: A collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education to incorporate tourism as a formal subject in high schools nationwide.

These developments signal a shift toward a more structured and professionalized tourism industry, ensuring that as the Punta Cana lifestyle continues to attract global investment, the infrastructure and safety protocols evolve in tandem.