Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)

Turning a stretch of remote, coconut-lined coastline into a world-class destination sounds like a dream, right? Well, 55 years ago, Grupo Puntacana took that vision and made it a reality. While they might have picked up a few symbolic gray hairs along the way, their spirit and drive remain as fresh as ever. We’re honored to share their story with you—a story of transformation, resilience, and bold innovation. So, let’s dive in and celebrate all that Grupo Puntacana has accomplished over the past five and a half decades.

Since 1969, they’ve turned Punta Cana into the jewel of the Caribbean, putting the Dominican Republic on the global map. If you’d predicted back then that this quiet corner would become the country’s tourism powerhouse, you’d likely have been laughed off. But today, it’s the heart of an industry driving 15% of the nation’s GDP.

From a remote, almost untouched area to a top global destination, Punta Cana has become the first stop for millions of tourists each year. What was once a quiet fishing village now powers a significant portion of the Dominican Republic’s economy, despite representing only 7% of its population.

At the heart of this transformation is the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Starting as the world’s first private commercial airport, it’s now one of Latin America’s busiest, handling 9 million passengers annually. This year, Grupo Puntacana expanded Terminal B with a $90 million investment, increasing its capacity to 5,000 passengers per hour and streamlining travel with cutting-edge biometric technology.

But it’s not just about growth—Grupo Puntacana is deeply committed to sustainability. Their recycling center processes 60% of local waste, while new solar energy projects are set to generate over 50% of the community’s power needs, paving the way for a greener future.

The Punta Cana Carnival, started in 2008, has become a cultural landmark, drawing locals and tourists alike for a vibrant celebration that highlights the nation’s rich traditions. This year, baseball legend George Bell joined in the festivities, adding even more star power to the event.

Looking beyond tourism, the group recently launched the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, a $200 million logistics hub poised to transform the region into a Caribbean cargo center, creating over 10,000 jobs. Additionally, the first aircraft maintenance center (MRO) in collaboration with FL Technics will generate 1,600 specialized jobs, establishing Punta Cana as a strategic logistics and aviation hub in the Caribbean.