Dominican Republic tourism faces challenges from sargassum influx

Sargassum influx is significantly impacting Dominican Republic tourism, with massive seaweed accumulations affecting popular beaches like Bavaro. Nine million metric tons of sargassum have accumulated in the Caribbean region this year, exceeding previous years and impacting the local economy and marine ecosystems. Hotels and businesses are spending heavily on cleanup, while some public areas remain affected, leading to tourist disappointment and economic losses for fishermen.