NewsWhore
09-22-2010, 03:20 PM
El Caribe reports that tourism in Puerto Plata is in serious difficulties with hotels closing and jobs continuing to be lost. In the twelve hotels still operating in Playa Dorada, occupation has fallen from 60% to 30%, while fewer flights from Europe, traditionally a strong market for the north coast, are scheduled.
At the commercial plaza inside Playa Dorada, 15 stores are displaying signs announcing the close of business. Five of 14 hotels in Playa Dorada have closed down, the most recent being Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada.
Tour company representatives say that sales are way down. Locals blame high taxes, the cost of fuel, and ineffective Ministry of Tourism officials.
Even the taxis have pretty much given up on Playa Dorada with only a few of the 160 units that belong to the association still on duty. The taxi union blames the way the hotel administrators handle tourists as the cause for the decrease in business, since there are constant warnings not to leave the premises. High rates taxis charge are also blamed for the problem, as the high cost of taxi service also discouraged tourists from venturing out.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)
At the commercial plaza inside Playa Dorada, 15 stores are displaying signs announcing the close of business. Five of 14 hotels in Playa Dorada have closed down, the most recent being Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada.
Tour company representatives say that sales are way down. Locals blame high taxes, the cost of fuel, and ineffective Ministry of Tourism officials.
Even the taxis have pretty much given up on Playa Dorada with only a few of the 160 units that belong to the association still on duty. The taxi union blames the way the hotel administrators handle tourists as the cause for the decrease in business, since there are constant warnings not to leave the premises. High rates taxis charge are also blamed for the problem, as the high cost of taxi service also discouraged tourists from venturing out.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)