NewsWhore
11-23-2006, 02:20 PM
The president of the National Hotel Association (Asonahores), Luis Lopez warned that the government decision to impose new taxes on the hotel industry would force several hotels to operate only in the winter season (December to April). He forecast hotels would close, not for renovations, but because of the increase in operation costs, caused by the new taxes. He said this would cause 25,000 people to lose their jobs.
Lopez disputes the government's proposition to levy 5% increase in taxes on hotels. The industry representative argues that hotels are not able to pass on the increase to consumers because a majority operates predominantly on a prepaid contract base.
He complained that already the high cost of electricity is hurting the tourism sector. Lopez questioned how Dominican tourism could expect to compete with destinations that pay only 12 to 17 cents per kilowatt of energy while Dominican destinations pay 30 cents per kilowatt.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
Lopez disputes the government's proposition to levy 5% increase in taxes on hotels. The industry representative argues that hotels are not able to pass on the increase to consumers because a majority operates predominantly on a prepaid contract base.
He complained that already the high cost of electricity is hurting the tourism sector. Lopez questioned how Dominican tourism could expect to compete with destinations that pay only 12 to 17 cents per kilowatt of energy while Dominican destinations pay 30 cents per kilowatt.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)