Source: https://rivet.global/blog/dominican-republic-tourism-businesses-collecting-usd
Published: 2026-10-06 · Updated: 2026-10-06 · By Rashidatou K.

# Dominican tourism businesses: collecting dollars from tour operators and travel agencies

Dominican hotels, villas and excursion companies are paid in dollars by tour operators in the US, Canada and Europe. How to collect in full and manage peso costs.

## Key takeaways

- Dominican hotels and excursion companies are paid by foreign tour operators, often in dollars, sometimes in euros or Canadian dollars.
- Tourism businesses in the Dominican Republic commonly hold dollar accounts.
- Payments from operators abroad are international transfers to Dominican banks, which can be slow and lose fees.
- Converting dollars to pesos on a schedule ahead of payroll steadies the peso budget.

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

### 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.