Pana
09-20-2005, 09:50 AM
Santo Domingo, Sep 9(Prensa Latina) The crisis affecting Dominican
tourism due to an increase in operating expenses and the loss of
competitiveness with other destinations has caused 10,000 layoffs in
the last few months, it was reported on Friday.
President of the National Hotel and Restaurant Association
(ASONAHORES), Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, attributed the loss of
jobs to problems that prevent the country's tourism from being ahead
of other countries' offers.
In remarks to a TV news program, he referred mainly to the high price
of electricity and fuel, as well as the exchange rate and new taxes
on air fares.
Yet, he said, business executives are trying to avoid laying off
people, and have opted for rotating staff on three-month periods of
suspension, while awaiting for government facilities.
De Marchena warned that the country might lose visitors if they are
not offered quality and attractive prices which may lure them into
turning to Cancun, Mexico, Cuba, the Mayan Route or Jamaica.
He stressed that security is a main element for the influx of foreign
visitors.
He added that the Dominican Republic is not competitive in terms of
energy, and regretted that electricity, the price of which increased
by about 16 percent, is the main cost in the sector.
The country's electricity bill, he said, is the most expensive in
Latin America, and it affects the whole nation's productive system.
He said the situation is extremely serious, stressing that tourism
generates 40 percent of fresh hard currency earned by the
country. "We are in a position to grow in the next five years, if we
get adequate support", he emphasized.
Regarding energy saving, the tourism official said most hotels have
their own plans, with smart-cards that ensure services are used only
when guests are in their rooms.
tourism due to an increase in operating expenses and the loss of
competitiveness with other destinations has caused 10,000 layoffs in
the last few months, it was reported on Friday.
President of the National Hotel and Restaurant Association
(ASONAHORES), Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, attributed the loss of
jobs to problems that prevent the country's tourism from being ahead
of other countries' offers.
In remarks to a TV news program, he referred mainly to the high price
of electricity and fuel, as well as the exchange rate and new taxes
on air fares.
Yet, he said, business executives are trying to avoid laying off
people, and have opted for rotating staff on three-month periods of
suspension, while awaiting for government facilities.
De Marchena warned that the country might lose visitors if they are
not offered quality and attractive prices which may lure them into
turning to Cancun, Mexico, Cuba, the Mayan Route or Jamaica.
He stressed that security is a main element for the influx of foreign
visitors.
He added that the Dominican Republic is not competitive in terms of
energy, and regretted that electricity, the price of which increased
by about 16 percent, is the main cost in the sector.
The country's electricity bill, he said, is the most expensive in
Latin America, and it affects the whole nation's productive system.
He said the situation is extremely serious, stressing that tourism
generates 40 percent of fresh hard currency earned by the
country. "We are in a position to grow in the next five years, if we
get adequate support", he emphasized.
Regarding energy saving, the tourism official said most hotels have
their own plans, with smart-cards that ensure services are used only
when guests are in their rooms.