Deadly Resort Fire Shakes Dominican Republic’s Tourism Boom

Punta Cana, Saturday, 20 June 2026.
A 46-year-old Italian tourist died and 1,700 guests evacuated after a fire tore through a luxury Dominican Republic resort, raising urgent questions about safety in the Caribbean’s top travel destination. With tourism fueling a $9 billion industry, the tragedy threatens to undermine confidence just as visitor numbers hit record highs—5.6 million in 2026 alone.