Dominican tourism businesses: collecting dollars from tour operators and travel agencies
Tourism is one of the Dominican Republic's largest earners. Hotels and excursion companies in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are paid by foreign tour operators in dollars and euros, while paying staff and local suppliers in pesos. The arrival of those dollars is where money goes missing.
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A Punta Cana excursion company runs catamaran trips and island tours sold through four foreign tour operators: two in the US, one in Canada and one in Spain. Each pays monthly by international transfer to its Dominican bank. The US payments arrive after three to five days, sometimes short of an intermediary fee. The Spanish one arrives in euros and is converted at the bank's rate. Staff, boats, fuel and food are paid in pesos.
Who pays and how
Tour operators contract with Dominican hotels and excursion companies and pay under those contracts:
- US operators usually in dollars,
- Canadian operators in Canadian or US dollars,
- European operators in euros or dollars.
Dollar accounts are normal in Dominican tourism, so dollars can be held without converting.
The arrival
International transfers from operators abroad pass through correspondent banks before reaching a Dominican bank. Fees come off, and some payments are held for checks. A US operator can pay faster by ACH if the company has US account details in its own name.
Pesos for costs
Staff wages, local suppliers, fuel and taxes are in pesos. Converting each operator payment on arrival takes whatever rate the bank offers that day. Converting a planned amount ahead of payroll gives more control.
Seasons
High season brings most of the year's revenue. Set aside a share of each month's receipts for quieter months as soon as they arrive.
Where Rivet fits
A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Dominican companies. Approved companies get US account details in their own name on every plan, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, and on Scale Canadian dollar details and balances in 30 currencies. Payouts go to 120+ countries, including the company's Dominican bank. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.
Questions people ask
How do tour operators pay Dominican hotels?
Under contracts, usually monthly or per stay, by international transfer, often in dollars.
Can Dominican companies hold dollars?
Yes. Dollar accounts are common, especially in tourism.
Why do operator payments arrive short?
Intermediary banks can deduct fees on international transfers, and conversions may apply if currencies differ.
How should tourism businesses plan for low season?
Set aside part of high-season receipts as they arrive for fixed costs in quieter months.
Sources
Rashidatou writes Rivet's guides to how money moves between countries: the payment rails, what each one costs, and the account details a company needs to get paid in another currency. Every figure in Rashidatou's articles is traced to the scheme rulebook, the regulator or the provider's published price list, and those sources are listed at the end.
More from Rashidatou K. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
- dominican republic
- tourism
- tour operators
- usd
- dop
- hotels
