Santo Domingo.-  The executive vice president of the hoteliers and tourism businesses grouped in ASONAHORES warned that that the global economic crisis could seriously affect that sector if the promotion programs abroad aren’t strictly applied.

Arturo Villanueva said as the current crisis threatens to curtail the tourist flow worldwide, Dominican Republic must boost its promotion abroad and under any circumstance can it cut the Tourism Ministry’s budget.

He warned that a bill now in Congress which cuts 12% of Tourism’s budget would be very detrimental for promotion abroad, in reference to a commitment with the International Monetary Fund to obtain funds.

“We understand the government’s situation and the agreement with the IMF, but it concerns us deeply that the sector which can spur growth, development and motorize the economies of other sectors, would have its funds reduced, which are needed for promotion abroad,” Villanueva said. The Tourism Ministry’s Budget allocation for 2011 is around RD$1.0 billion.

As to the tourist flow this summer, Villanueva said it has fallen sharply in the Puerto Plata (North) region and has increased in the East zone, with 323 flights slated to arrive at Punta Cana Airport next week.