Foreign tourism experts to be hired for Puerto Plata

[vewdew]

Tourism leaders on the North Coast have decided that the answer to the region's dramatic fall in visitors lies in hiring three foreign experts in tourism.
The Council for the Renewal and Promotion of Puerto Plata, chaired by the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, has decided to employ specialist consultants in the fields of communication, marketing and destinations.
The leader of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), Jesus Almanzar, reported that the costs of these appointments will be met by the Ministry of Tourism.
Almanzar said that those selected should have experience in the revival of tourist destinations that have had problems with decreasing tourist numbers. He said they should be able to bring their specialist knowledge to bear on Puerto Plata’s problems.
The announcement was made during the meeting held last week at Hemingway's Café in Playa Dorada, which was attended by representatives of the tourist sector and media managers from Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Those attending included; Roberto Casoni, José Natalio Redondo, Mitchel Musa, Jesús Almánzar, Patricio Vigoureaux, Lorenzo Sancassani and Jéssica Martínez and journalists; Manuel Quiroz, Luís José Chávez, José Monegro, Esteban Rosario, Osvaldo Soriano, Ricardo Rodríguez, Edgar Lantigua, Aridio Perdomo and Ney Zapata.
At the meeting it was agreed that Puerto Plata, despite being the most complete destination in the Dominican Republic, is not promoted in international markets and neither do tour operators mention this destination at international tourism fairs.

[princepointe]

They needed to HIRE people to tell them the problem? I'm gonna save them a million pesos and tell them myself.

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS SLOW SO YOU NEED TO MAKE THINGS CHEAPER. LOWER YOUR DAMN TAXES. lol. I know i'd be there alot if the taxes were lower.

[hugrad95a]

Tourism leaders on the North Coast have decided that the answer to the region's dramatic fall in visitors lies in hiring three foreign experts in tourism.
The Council for the Renewal and Promotion of Puerto Plata, chaired by the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, has decided to employ specialist consultants in the fields of communication, marketing and destinations.
The leader of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), Jesus Almanzar, reported that the costs of these appointments will be met by the Ministry of Tourism.
Almanzar said that those selected should have experience in the revival of tourist destinations that have had problems with decreasing tourist numbers. He said they should be able to bring their specialist knowledge to bear on Puerto Plata’s problems.
The announcement was made during the meeting held last week at Hemingway's Café in Playa Dorada, which was attended by representatives of the tourist sector and media managers from Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Those attending included; Roberto Casoni, José Natalio Redondo, Mitchel Musa, Jesús Almánzar, Patricio Vigoureaux, Lorenzo Sancassani and Jéssica Martínez and journalists; Manuel Quiroz, Luís José Chávez, José Monegro, Esteban Rosario, Osvaldo Soriano, Ricardo Rodríguez, Edgar Lantigua, Aridio Perdomo and Ney Zapata.
At the meeting it was agreed that Puerto Plata, despite being the most complete destination in the Dominican Republic, is not promoted in international markets and neither do tour operators mention this destination at international tourism fairs.



You know this really comical.. I can't believe its so obvious they need to lower the freaking Taxes. I can tell by this list they don't want the dollar they want the Euro..

First of all how is Puerto Plata the most complete destination in the DR.

[Ram]

You know this really comical.. I can't believe its so obvious they need to lower the freaking Taxes. I can tell by this list they don't want the dollar they want the Euro..

First of all how is Puerto Plata the most complete destination in the DR.

It was 20 years ago. It is hard to compete with beautiful areas like Samana and Punta Cana.

[hugrad95a]

They needed to HIRE people to tell them the problem? I'm gonna save them a million pesos and tell them myself.

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS SLOW SO YOU NEED TO MAKE THINGS CHEAPER. LOWER YOUR DAMN TAXES. lol. I know i'd be there alot if the taxes were lower.


Word, they don't want to give me that job man. I'll turn it around within 3 years on the up and up.

[Mr Hillbilly]

My cousins go to Cancun

All those Huge AI hotels south of there are awesome.

It doesn't take tourism expert to figure that out.

[weyland]

I can tell by this list they don't want the dollar they want the Euro.
Possibly true but how on earth do you come to that conclusion from the paragraph quoted? I cannot see any mention made of either currency or of tourists' countries of origin.


First of all how is Puerto Plata the most complete destination in the DR?
I guess they mean that Puerto Plata is the only place with beach AIs and a fair-sized town adjacent so it has the potential. The AIs could be refurbished without too much investment but to turn the city into an attractive tourist town needs a complete change of attitude by its inhabitants. Would take at least a generation if not two to change their mindset.

For example, an educated and reasonably intelligent middle-class Dominican posted on DR1 (in a discussion on this very matter) that Puerto Plata was "litter free". :eek: He clearly believed that was actually true. Dominicans simply do not see with gringo eyes. They have no standards, either in products, services or social interaction.

[weyland]

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS SLOW SO YOU NEED TO MAKE THINGS CHEAPER. LOWER YOUR DAMN TAXES. lol. I know i'd be there alot if the taxes were lower.
The taxes are a problem but nowhere near the main one. The extra amount paid in taxes is relatively small when amortized over the complete cost of a family holiday, starting with putting your dog in kennel thru to paying the taxi from the airport back to your home. Maybe adds, what, less than 5%?

Most families would be happy to pay an extra 5% for a successful holiday which is at present denied to them in the DR because of the appalling incompetence of Dominicans at customer service. Surveys repeatly show that holiday makers don't return to the DR because of poor customer service, persistent hassle by vendors, poor quality food (spoilt by service and presentation rather than cooked badly), few interesting outings, etc. I don't remember high taxes being high on the list though it is certainly one more issue.

Of course high taxes hit the lone traveller short-stay visitor proportionately more, which is why they get attention here, but they are not the sort of tourists the DR is looking for.

[Jimmydr]

My cousins go to Cancun

All those Huge AI hotels south of there are awesome.

It doesn't take tourism expert to figure that out.


There are 500 different places to go, who ever gives the best value wins. DR just woke up from its coma?

[weyland]

There are 500 different places to go, who ever gives the best value wins. DR just woke up from its coma?
No, I don't think it has woken up at all. These noises come out of the establishment every year. Just a bit of political window dressing and a chance to set up a few more quangos and give the cousins and brothers-in-law a well paid job doing nothing.

The very few truly educated Dominicans who have seen the rest of the world and how things work in First World countries, like Leonel, are doing very nicely, thank you. They don't want things to change or only enough to give an illusion of progress for them to talk about before elections.

[Jimmydr]

Colombia is making a major play for the Tourism market. Cuba will open up soon as well.




DR lacks in customer service where as most other countries know how that works, in addition to much lower taxes.

[Si_Poppi]

The taxes are a problem but nowhere near the main one. The extra amount paid in taxes is relatively small when amortized over the complete cost of a family holiday, starting with putting your dog in kennel thru to paying the taxi from the airport back to your home. Maybe adds, what, less than 5%?

Most families would be happy to pay an extra 5% for a successful holiday which is at present denied to them in the DR because of the appalling incompetence of Dominicans at customer service. Surveys repeatly show that holiday makers don't return to the DR because of poor customer service, persistent hassle by vendors, poor quality food (spoilt by service and presentation rather than cooked badly), few interesting outings, etc. I don't remember high taxes being high on the list though it is certainly one more issue.

Of course high taxes hit the lone traveller short-stay visitor proportionately more, which is why they get attention here, but they are not the sort of tourists the DR is looking for.You are wise Sir Weyland.

Toronto's Pearson airport has some of the highest fees in the world.
Combined with the DR's fees and we pay $330 in taxes, including the tourist card and departure tax.

I look at the bottom line and really don't give a fuck how much of it they want to call fees or how my money is distributed.
I can go solo to Playa Dorada for a week for usually between $700-$800 all in which is cheapy cheapy and the resorts make very little of this, maybe $200 or so for the week.

The great recession hit the area hard, as it did most places, and resorts couldn't afford good maintenance and some couldn't even stay open.
Poor maintenance and cut back services and dead resorts turns off many of the remaining customers which leaves them even less money and it snowballs on and on.

They have a nice fun golf course there that is usually very empty.
The summer greens fee used to be $40 which was reasonable and you had to take a caddy for $15 plus tip of 500 pesos or so but this was good for 2 players if you had a cart which was $25 so say $70 each total.
Now the summer greens fee is $54 and the winter fee is $77 which is just not worth it.
The course is there and being maintained anyways and there is tons of excess capacity so you might as well have deals for the guests to get some more money coming in that otherwise wouldn't.
http://www.playadoradagolf.com/rates.aspx

Having ripoff scams like Progressive Roulette and Keno in the casinos is also not very bright.

It is kind of late in the game to turn this ship around.
I don't see it happening any time soon.

Departing From: Toronto (YYZ) to Puerto Plata (POP) Departure Time: 16:20 November 05, 2010 (Flight#: C6 786) Returning To: Puerto Plata (POP) to Toronto (YYZ) Return Time: 22:20 November 12, 2010 (Flight#: C6 787) Hotel/Resort: 4*GR PARA PLAYA DORADA RM Occupancy: S (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)Adults(1): 1 x $397.00 Taxes: $331.16 Total Insurance: $0.00 Total Price: $728.16

[weyland]

DR lacks in customer service where as most other countries know how that works, in addition to much lower taxes.
It is not just customer service in the sense of shop and hotel staff training. It goes a lot deeper that that. They have no standards in any walk of life. Defective products, bodged services, broken promises, price gouging, are all standard for them. They don't know there is another way. Their attitude if they get screwed is to screw someone else to make up for it. Students graduate from university at about the educational level of a 13-year-old in the UK. Part of the trouble is that there are no real political parties with real political programs. Just gangs (rather like mafia families) who squabble among themselves for the rich pickings but close ranks when anyone outside (a journalist, an academic, a visiting foreign advisor) suggests any radical change.

[Jimmydr]

It is not just customer service in the sense of shop and hotel staff training. It goes a lot deeper that that. They have no standards in any walk of life. Defective products, bodged services, broken promises, price gouging, are all standard for them. They don't know there is another way. Their attitude if they get screwed is to screw someone else to make up for it. Students graduate from university at about the educational level of a 13-year-old in the UK. Part of the trouble is that there are no real political parties with real political programs. Just gangs (rather like mafia families) who squabble among themselves for the rich pickings but close ranks when anyone outside (a journalist, an academic, a visiting foreign advisor) suggests any radical change.


Its sad because they get trained by Americans and or Europeans and just go back to their old ways while if you ever go to other countries, they practice what they have been taught.

I noticed that the staff at American airlines counters in DR know exactly what customer service is and use it.

[weyland]

Its sad because they get trained by Americans and or Europeans and just go back to their old ways while if you ever go to other countries, they practice what they have been taught.

I noticed that the staff at American airlines counters in DR know exactly what customer service is and use it.
Yes, there are a few exceptions, of course. The Caribe Tours and Metro bus companies offer an excellent service at very cheap prices. (Could be improved by platform indicators. I remember Thunderstar packing us onto a bus travelling in the wrong direction. Good thing there was another stop in Santiago or we would have ended up in the capital instead of Puerto Plata. The naïve fool thought that because the bus had a big sign in the driver's window saying "Sosúa" that is where it was going. No, that was where it had just come from, dummy!)

I cannot think of much else offhand, but I only know the North Coast.

La Sirena is better but still absurdly inefficient compared to any First World home goods store. I can guarantee that there is a price query or problem at the check-out with about 10% of the items I buy, which usually results in either someone wandering off into the store for ten minutes to check a price or a meeting of four or five staff round the till. Meanwhile the customer held up behind impatiently pushes their articles into mine which causes further confusion because they don't use those dividers like most supermarkets.

[JuanElGriego]

I can guarantee that there is a price query or problem at the check-out with about 10% of the items I buy, which usually results in either someone wandering off into the store for ten minutes to check a price or a meeting of four or five staff round the till.

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/63844cbc849d01f8a.jpg

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:


Meanwhile the customer held up behind impatiently pushes their articles into mine which causes further confusion because they don't use those dividers like most supermarkets.

Never imagined there existed a supermarket without dividers for goods.

[questner]

Taxes matter a lot and some o them are beyond DR's control. Family of 4 going to Cuba will save $500 in taxes over DR. 4 x $125 = $500. No brainer for sun and soak.

Then starting November 1, 2010 there will be new exit taxes in Great Britain and some other countries which will add around 100 GBP for a long haul flight. Research shows it will impact family vacations to up to 25% decrease. North Coast gets 12.5% of all DR incoming passengers - half of them from Europe. So knock a point down for Europeans.

AI resorts? Just go on tripadvisor or debbies and read reviews:eek:
- horrible bland food/stomach bugs
- time share selling/hustling inside resorts
- rampant thefts/ no electronic safes
- 'tomorrow' attitude
- no hot water/ no water/ plumbing issues/ no water pressure
- flooding in the units
- rip off prices for day trips
etcetera etcetera

How about a national airline? ( I know, Mexicana - R.I.P)
How about working AC in POP?
How about beaches open after 7 pm?
How about reasonable flight rates to other LA countries?
How about working on rack rates prices? (meaning there should be no case when one can book same hotel for $10 per day from abroad and $70 from within DR)

I can go on and on (OK cheap advice is worthless, because it is free...but for 10 billion USD in loan guarantees things actually may go in right direction:cheesygrin:)

[JD426]

Seems like Mongers are the only ones willing to put up with all the inconstencies, and poor customer service,price gouging etc. yet they want to piss us off as well.
The Dominican business model should be taught in Harvard as exactly what NOT to do if you want to be successful.

Its like they need Homey the Clown from In living color to crack them over the head with a SOCK filled w/Beans.. like when he was teaching the kids about Dignity.

" Homey, what is dignity"?
Homey whacks the kid over the head with the Loaded Sock
"how do you feel right now"?
"really DISSED Homey"
" well .. Dignitiy is the OPPOSITE of THAT" ...

[princepointe]

You are wise Sir Weyland.

Toronto's Pearson airport has some of the highest fees in the world.
Combined with the DR's fees and we pay $330 in taxes, including the tourist card and departure tax.

I look at the bottom line and really don't give a fuck how much of it they want to call fees or how my money is distributed.
I can go solo to Playa Dorada for a week for usually between $700-$800 all in which is cheapy cheapy and the resorts make very little of this, maybe $200 or so for the week.

The great recession hit the area hard, as it did most places, and resorts couldn't afford good maintenance and some couldn't even stay open.
Poor maintenance and cut back services and dead resorts turns off many of the remaining customers which leaves them even less money and it snowballs on and on.

They have a nice fun golf course there that is usually very empty.
The summer greens fee used to be $40 which was reasonable and you had to take a caddy for $15 plus tip of 500 pesos or so but this was good for 2 players if you had a cart which was $25 so say $70 each total.
Now the summer greens fee is $54 and the winter fee is $77 which is just not worth it.
The course is there and being maintained anyways and there is tons of excess capacity so you might as well have deals for the guests to get some more money coming in that otherwise wouldn't.
http://www.playadoradagolf.com/rates.aspx

Having ripoff scams like Progressive Roulette and Keno in the casinos is also not very bright.

It is kind of late in the game to turn this ship around.
I don't see it happening any time soon.

Departing From: Toronto (YYZ) to Puerto Plata (POP) Departure Time: 16:20 November 05, 2010 (Flight#: C6 786) Returning To: Puerto Plata (POP) to Toronto (YYZ) Return Time: 22:20 November 12, 2010 (Flight#: C6 787) Hotel/Resort: 4*GR PARA PLAYA DORADA RM Occupancy: S (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)Adults(1): 1 x $397.00 Taxes: $331.16 Total Insurance: $0.00 Total Price: $728.16


HOLY SHIT. Let me go ahead and retire my Texas flight cost bitching.lol. I am a lot closer though. lol

[Hemp]

Pretty much!!!!



Colombia is making a major play for the Tourism market. Cuba will open up soon as well.




DR lacks in customer service where as most other countries know how that works, in addition to much lower taxes.

[Mr Hillbilly]

The Beach in Playa Dorada is not much better if any than the Great Lakes beaches of the Midwest.

[whynotme]

Seems like Mongers are the only ones willing to put up with all the inconstencies, and poor customer service,price gouging etc. yet they want to piss us off as well.

or we can move on to better destinations:D


ya.all are welcome to join the mongers that have left the dr for cuba,asia,colombia etc:D

(we still have the same issues btw........but just not as bad as in the dr )

[Kevy]

or we can move on to better destinations:D


ya.all are welcome to join the mongers that have left the dr for cuba,asia,colombia etc:D

(we still have the same issues btw........but just not as bad as in the dr )

No why would they do that, they love the Dr, keep going there:)

[questner]

Dominican history even has a term 'Las Devastaciones'. Basically, in the XVII century dominicans evacuated people and ranchos from Montecristi, Puerto Plata and north Coast to the south because they were unable to sustain development there and protect its population. It lasted for a century. Then most of the Canarian immigration was lost to emigration to other Spanish colonies. This mentality still goes on.

Economies of scale matter. Take a look at Narita airport. Japanese, Arab States all are building new strips to accomodate new generation of jumbo jets. Your next years flights may be only a fraction of cost and go like Detroit-Dubai-Bangkok. POP cannot even accomodate flights in heavy rain with a risk of landing in Cibao. Any future Skytrain from POP to Clasico's?:rofl:

[onetosix]

You are sooooo right Weyland in your analysis of the problem issues surrounding the ever downward sliding tourism situation here on the north coast of the DR. I couldn't agree more about the "appalling incompetence of Dominicans" at just about everything to do with customer service or standards in business practices and almost every other area as you mentioned. I have lived here the better part of a year now with excursions to Thailand, Colombia, and Ecuador. I must say that after being in these other countries, my sense of Dominican incompetence and lack of any sense of wanting to do better has been greatly heightened. Not sure if I will stay here as home base much longer...Colombia and Ecuador are cheaper to live, cleaner, and very appealing....Thailand as well. I'm going back to Colombia on Nov 3 and will stay for a month in MDE.

I really had to laugh when I saw that headline of the article in the north coast Adscene publication this week...."Foreign Tourism Experts to be hired for Puerto Plata". What a joke!
But like you said Weyland, your intelligent, educated, friend in PP thinks that it is "litter-free". Damn, they sure do look through different eyes don't they?


The taxes are a problem but nowhere near the main one. The extra amount paid in taxes is relatively small when amortized over the complete cost of a family holiday, starting with putting your dog in kennel thru to paying the taxi from the airport back to your home. Maybe adds, what, less than 5%?

Most families would be happy to pay an extra 5% for a successful holiday which is at present denied to them in the DR because of the appalling incompetence of Dominicans at customer service. Surveys repeatly show that holiday makers don't return to the DR because of poor customer service, persistent hassle by vendors, poor quality food (spoilt by service and presentation rather than cooked badly), few interesting outings, etc. I don't remember high taxes being high on the list though it is certainly one more issue.

Of course high taxes hit the lone traveller short-stay visitor proportionately more, which is why they get attention here, but they are not the sort of tourists the DR is looking for.

[onetosix]

Dominican history even has a term 'Las Devastaciones'. Basically, in the XVII century dominicans evacuated people and ranchos from Montecristi, Puerto Plata and north Coast to the south because they were unable to sustain development there and protect its population. It lasted for a century. Then most of the Canarian immigration was lost to emigration to other Spanish colonies. This mentality still goes on.

Economies of scale matter. Take a look at Narita airport. Japanese, Arab States all are building new strips to accomodate new generation of jumbo jets. Your next years flights may be only a fraction of cost and go like Detroit-Dubai-Bangkok. POP cannot even accomodate flights in heavy rain with a risk of landing in Cibao. Any future Skytrain from POP to Clasico's?:rofl:

Nice bit of historical perspective as it relates to present day issues here in the DR. It's true.

I think I saw them breaking ground for the new POP to Clasico's Skytrain starting right behind the Caribe Tour bus terminal.

[vewdew]

They needed to HIRE people to tell them the problem? I'm gonna save them a million pesos and tell them myself.

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS SLOW SO YOU NEED TO MAKE THINGS CHEAPER. LOWER YOUR DAMN TAXES. lol. I know i'd be there alot if the taxes were lower.

Ok what kind of taxes are we talking about?
You have an advantage on me in this matter since you been there, but if we are talking airport taxes here are mine and what I think about that.



I dont think DR taxes are high, I mean yes they are higher than the us but by not that much.

Fare Breakdown
Airfare:470.00USD

U.S Passanger Facility Charge: 13.50
U.S. Security Service Fee: 7.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 32.20
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
Dominican Republic Departure Tax: 20.00 Dom.
Republic Airport Authority Fee: 30.00
Dom. Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee: 32.60

Total: 617.80 USD

totals: 470.00 USD The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 147.80 USD


Total U.S taxes = $65.20
Dominican taxes = $82.60

So a total of $17.40 more for the Dominican republic.

I would make a fuss if I was paying 30 or 40 dollars more, but 17 dollars I can do fine with that.

[Mr Hillbilly]

Get on tripadvisor or the search engines and look up Playa Dorada Hotels--

Reviews are mostly negative------------ people getting their safes robbed and other shit.

[Si_Poppi]

They should get rid of that stupid 10% service fee.
People don't like to see 26% added to the bill plus tip.
Plus a lot of people wrongly assume that is the tip and the servers often get screwed for a tip.
This 10% service fee for all employees is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen.
Raise the minimum wage or raise the prices and just include all the taxes into the prices because seeing an extra 26% added and then being expected to tip turns people off, even if the total is reasonable.
Plus I'm sure there are many assholes who don't even share the 10% with the employees or the 16% with the government. :mad:

[Jimmydr]

They should get rid of that stupid 10% service fee.
People don't like to see 26% added to the bill plus tip.
Plus a lot of people wrongly assume that is the tip and the servers often get screwed for a tip.
This 10% service fee for all employees is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen.
Raise the minimum wage or raise the prices and just include all the taxes into the prices because seeing an extra 26% added and then being expected to tip turns people off, even if the total is reasonable.
Plus I'm sure there are many assholes who don't even share the 10% with the employees and the 16% with the government. :mad:


I myself found it much easier to just go to another country that didn't have this.:rofl:

[whatever]

Ha they don't need to hire consultants they just need to
read this thread! Too bad the Dominicans would not
understand and scratch their heads and wonder why
the gringos complain of the lack of toilet seats and
manhole covers and wonder why people run screaming
from their country and never come back after one
trip. They'll never learn to run it well themselves.
The DR would be a paradise if we had someplace else
to send the Dominicans.

[mikelodge]

I myself found it much easier to just go to another country that didn't have this.:rofl:

When I get that added IVA or service fee like Baileys it is the first and last time I will eat or drink there. If the price of a beer is already 80 pesos and then you give them a 100 and get no change WTF.

I can go to Passions and pay the same price and look at slutty whores.

Man I am glad I went to Colombia and know better than to put up with that. Seems like more guys are finding that out each week. NG raising rates and some more guys discovering the better looking MDE difference in the girls and city says alot.

Watch more people on here will figure it out and realize there are so many other places that are great. Just read some of the Phillipine, Thailand, Rio and Medellin reports and you can see people saying the same thing. They may never go back.
Hard to find 9's and 10's in Sosua even 8's for that matter but they are plentiful in Medellin if you go to the better places

[Bhutto,BhuttoGolly]

Ha they don't need to hire consultants they just need to
read this thread! Too bad the Dominicans would not
understand and scratch their heads and wonder why
the gringos complain of the lack of toilet seats and
manhole covers and wonder why people run screaming
from their country and never come back after one
trip. They'll never learn to run it well themselves.
The DR would be a paradise if we had someplace else
to send the Dominicans.
We do- it's called Washington Heights.
Half of them are already here. The remainders are the "slower-witted" ones and deportees. Might explain things.
As much as I have come to love Colombia- I will still return to the DR sometime. Lots of exploring left to do!

[mikelodge]

Ha they don't need to hire consultants they just need to
read this thread! Too bad the Dominicans would not
understand and scratch their heads and wonder why
the gringos complain of the lack of toilet seats and
manhole covers and wonder why people run screaming
from their country and never come back after one
trip. They'll never learn to run it well themselves.
The DR would be a paradise if we had someplace else
to send the Dominicans.

Great point, I have traveled to many countries and other than Mexico and some parts of Central America which can be worse I can say that most of the bathrooms in the DR are complete shitholes. Filthy with either no toilet paper or no stall doors or so completely gross what would it matter. I have driven back to my place many times to have a clean place. :eek: I know that it is common in a nightclub/party bar setting but it shouldn't be in restaurants

[vewdew]

Great point, I have traveled to many countries and other than Mexico and some parts of Central America I can say that the bathrooms in the DR are complete shitholes. Filthy with either no toilet paper or no stall doors or so completely gross what would it matter. I have driven back to my place many times to have a clean place. :eek:


Mike They needed the stall doors for the cabanas :)

[Mr Hillbilly]

Mike They needed the stall doors for the cabanas :)

As long as Mike has a freshly stocked aquarium and time from here till Xmas he is happy!:rofl::rofl:

[JuanElGriego]

Great point, I have traveled to many countries and other than Mexico and some parts of Central America which can be worse I can say that most of the bathrooms in the DR are complete shitholes. Filthy with either no toilet paper or no stall doors or so completely gross what would it matter. I have driven back to my place many times to have a clean place. :eek: I know that it is common in a nightclub/party bar setting but it shouldn't be in restaurants

Depends where you go.

You're not hitting a nice disco in Santiago and not finding it clean or lacking toilet seats or paper towels.

[questner]

My view of the country would change dramatically when I see simple hangers in shower rooms at the beach.

I am booking couple of family trips to Punta Cana. I check different suppliers and airlines and picture is not bright. As long as a flight is booked the whole segment disappears from the screen. Price games with no end. Airlines are in the business of filling their planes and not supporting hotels.
There is always a bottleneck - hotels occupancy goes up or down exactly as flights become available. Until this model is 'decoupled' things may remain grim. Meaning: flights and hotels have to be booked by consumers separately at transparent prices: flies and soup have to be served on two plates.

[mikelodge]

My view of the country would change dramatically when I see simple hangers in shower rooms at the beach.

I am booking couple of family trips to Punta Cana. I check different suppliers and airlines and picture is not bright. As long as a flight is booked the whole segment disappears from the screen. Price games with no end. Airlines are in the business of filling their planes and not supporting hotels.
There is always a bottleneck - hotels occupancy goes up or down exactly as flights become available. Until this model is 'decoupled' things may remain grim. Meaning: flights and hotels have to be booked by consumers separately at transparent prices: flies and soup have to be served on two plates.

Yah, well I agree I have thousands really literally thousands of hours invested in booking travel since it is such a big part of my life and even if you know almost every trick and secret it is a pain in the ass.

All you can do is if you have the time put in that time and reap the reward sometimes very little and sometimes significant. If you have a job and make 200k as a professional why would you spend more than a couple hours.

But if you are retired I have found it to be a nice hobby :lol:

[whatever]

We do- it's called Washington Heights.
Half of them are already here. The remainders are the "slower-witted" ones and deportees. Might explain things.
As much as I have come to love Colombia- I will still return to the DR sometime. Lots of exploring left to do!

Oh god you mean NY "brain drained" the smart Dominicans away
from the DR? Since NY has few natural resources anymore why
not swap the populations of NY and Hispanola? At least the
former New Yorkers could get better weather and produce/fruit
in the process. The Dominicans would make NY a shit hole but
then that is their destiny. The only top shelf exportable DR
product is Cigars. I just know most people I know would freak
when they got exposed to the real DR. Which would involve
smiling locals serving up wonderful salads made with excellent
local and ripened on the vine fresh produce that taste absolutely
delicious. The raw veggies for the salad would be washed with
local tap water of course and after you eat it you squirt liquid
out your ass for 2-3 days until you cringe at the thought of
wiping your ass again because it's painful after you run ten
rolls of paper across your ass again in one day. But don't get
me wrong I have had lots of fun there it's just not for
everyone! Amazing the shit (no pun) mongers put up with for
cheap pussy.

[mikelodge]

Oh god you mean NY "brain drained" the smart Dominicans away
from the DR? Since NY has few natural resources anymore why
not swap the populations of NY and Hispanola? At least the
former New Yorkers could get better weather and produce/fruit
in the process. The Dominicans would make NY a shit hole but
then that is their destiny. The only top shelf exportable DR
product is Cigars. I just know most people I know would freak
when they got exposed to the real DR. Which would involve
smiling locals serving up wonderful salads made with excellent
local and ripened on the vine fresh produce that taste absolutely
delicious. The raw veggies for the salad would be washed with
local tap water of course and after you eat it you squirt liquid
out your ass for 2-3 days until you cringe at the thought of
wiping your ass again because it's painful after you run ten
rolls of paper across your ass again in one day. But don't get
me wrong I have had lots of fun there it's just not for
everyone!
Amazing the shit (no pun) mongers put up with for
cheap pussy
.

Truly amazing sometimes hot high pressured liquid in an assortment of colors like greens, browns, blacks and even reds and oranges. :eek:

That pain is something I avoid at all costs