Airbnb and the regulation of vacation rentals in the Dominican Republic

The regulation of short-term vacation rentals, commonly associated with platforms like Airbnb, has emerged as a critical issue in the Dominican Republic. Officials and industry observers highlight that the sector's rapid expansion currently lacks proper governmental supervision and taxation.

Experts and stakeholders warn that this unmonitored growth poses a latent threat to the country's established tourism industry, which has operated successfully for over sixty years. Consequently, establishing a formal regulatory framework is being framed as an urgent necessity to protect the traditional tourism sector while accommodating the evolving lodging market.