What environmental pressures can tourism create in the Dominican Republic?

The growth of tourism in the Dominican Republic has significantly strained the country's limited resources. Environmental pressures associated with this industry include:

• Resource Consumption: The influx of visitors necessitates the production of large quantities of additional foodstuffs and potable water, placing increased demand on local supplies.1
• Waste Management: The industry generates greater quantities of trash and sewage, which puts significant pressure on the country's infrastructure and environmental management systems.1
• Economic and Infrastructure Strain: To support the expansion of resorts and airports, the country must often import high-priced luxury items, which impacts the national balance of payments.1

While tourism has become a vital source of foreign exchange, these environmental and infrastructural challenges remain a notable drawback, consistent with similar issues faced by other Caribbean nations.1