Julio Llibre, Manuel Quiterio Cedeño, Francisco Javier García, Frank Rainieri
Picture 1 of 2
Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic is still a coveted destination for tourists, but a study on the impact of taxes by the firm of economists Ecocaribe notes that the lack of competitiveness seriously affects that sector of the economy, as evidenced in the North Coast where among other factors led to the shuttering of 5,000 hotel rooms in the last two years, with 30% of those in Sosua and Cabarete.
The figure was revealed during a conference held as part of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Hotels and Tourism Association (Asonahores).
The economist Garcia Michel said one of the industry’s fundamental problem is that despite that tourism forms part of the export sector, it is heavily taxed, meaning a levy for tourists of US$234.5 per trip, equal to 23% in taxes, because " the tourist pays once they board the plane until they return to their country of origin" and makes industry less competitive and keeps it from being more prosperous.
He also noted that the tax system has fees such as US$32.60 for airport tax paid by the passenger, and totalled RD$ 5.3illion in 2010 which he affirms don’t figure in the Treasury’s accounts.
Michel provided the figures during a luncheon with editors and journalists of the tourism and economic areas, hosted by the presidents of Asonahores Julio Llibre; Edmund Aja, of the Santiago Tourism Division, and Luis Emilio Rodriguez, of the La Romana-Bayahibe Development Association.
Garcia called the Dominican tourism industry vital to the economy "and possibly the only one with potential for the country’s development” because of its close links with other activities such as agriculture, industry among others.
He affirmed that though tourism is nearly four times bigger than the activity of hotels, bars and restaurants, the measure of its impact has been limited as stated in the 2005 World of Tourism and Travel Council, which notes that tourism's contribution was around 24% of the added value that year.
Statistics
Llibre said Asonahores met with the Association of Industries and the National Statistics Office (One) to develop the National Survey on Tourism’s Impact of and how this activity contributes to the economy.
He said the Central Bank established a satellite account for the sector in 1992, but stressed that the tourism industry of 20 years ago isn’t even a shadow of what it is today.
Written by: abc200, 22 Jun 2012 10:43 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
One of the problems is no good coach / bus services from airports. This can add a considerable amount to a tourist trip. Once rail or coach services start to airports tourism should increase. This can add up to $120 dollars per trip to tourist expenses when a taxi is used in place of a coach.
S.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 10:48 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
any one on this site been over to the bahamas and seen atlantis? in nassau island?
the chineses are building a 3 billion dollar complex over there in the bahamas which will open soon
if the tourists where not treated as "prey} in the dr, if the tourists where not robbed or killed in the dr if the tourists had some real attractions to see in the dr then u just might have to worry about the tax rates they are charged.
the aquarium in santo domingo??? please please god no, the museums the noise the traffic the trash the wild crazy people running though the streets the very load music and noise the trash filled rivers
the amber museum in puerto plata they used to take from playa dora buses full of tourists to vist the amber museum??? please god no.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 10:53 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
One of the problems is no good coach / bus services from airports. This can add a considerable amount to a tourist trip. Once rail or coach services start to airports tourism should increase. This can add up to $120 dollars per trip to tourist expenses when a taxi is used in place of a coach.
GREAT IDEA THEY ARE LINNED UP THE TOURISTS THEY WHERE JUST WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THE BUS SERVICE FROM POP AIPORT TO THE CITY.
THANK GOD WE HAVE THE ANSWER NOW...... HOW THE DR WILL GET RICH. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. MAYBE THEY SHOULD OPEN A SAVILE ROW IN PUERTO PLATA?
THEY THE CAB DRIVERS WHEN THEY SAW ONE GRINGO COMING OUT OF THE PLAYA DORA THE PRICE OF THE RIDE TO LETS SAY CENTRL PARK AND THE BULLSHIT GIFTS SHOPS OVER THERE IN POP, WOULD AT LEAST DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THEN THE LOCALS WOULD PAY.
THINK THEY NEED A CHOO CHOO TRAIN IN PUERTO PLATA.
ALL ABOARD.......
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Thank goodness that there are many tourists that like the DR to be like the DR . There is, however a need for better transport between the airports and the cities that I fully agree with
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 10:59 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
many tourists would ask me when i made a vist to playa dora {i had the english not many do or did in this town}
why do all the gift shops around the central parke sell the same things?
other problem was big time, many told me the locals that worked in the hotels told the tourists dont go into the town of pop, u might get robbed or they might kill u
many tourists told me they wanted to cut short their vacations and get the hell out of the dr and are never coming back.
yes they the workers told them this and its true i understand why they did this to try and keep the tourists on the hotel grounds to spend their dollars over there.
but man thats no very stupid thing top tell tourists they might get killed?
stupid thing to tell anyone.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 11:02 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Thank goodness that there are many tourists that like the DR to be like the DR . There is, however a need for better transport between the airports and the cities that I fully agree with
YES WE NEED TO ADD MORE HOTEL ROOMS AND EXPAND THE AIPORTS THEY ARE COMING BY THE MILLIONS.
OK! YES THE BUS WILL HELP BUT U NEED MUCH MORE THEN A CHEAP BUS RIDE FROM THE AIPORT TO KEEP THE TOURISTS COMING AND COMING BACK FOR A OTHER VIST DONT U? {STOP TREATING THEM AS PREY}
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 11:08 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
hey! oil is selling this day at $78. a barrel
think it might go down 5 pesos or so in the dr in the next few weeks?
hey! mr chavez is leos friend and many had shaved their heads to their new god mr chavez......
choo choo train.
all aboard leos express train going no where with passengers on board going no where in life. { but the tourists are flocking to the dr to see this choo choo train and the blue mall
thanks leo.
god bless u and your money u have in the banks all around the world.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 11:13 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
thank goodness that there are many tourists that like the dr to be like the dr
are speaking about places like blackbeards { the lady place in costamabar}
is that what they like? sex with very young girls by old men from many countrys around the world? or is the culture and the beauty of the dr they are here to vist and see?
bet my last buck it the lady thing. sorry to have to tell u this guy.
think your a nice guy but u give many false hopes with your comments.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 11:18 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Asians Pass Hispanics as Largest Wave of New Immigrants to US
Posted Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
A new study says Asian Americans have overtaken Hispanics as the largest group of new immigrants arriving in the United States each year.
The report released Tuesday by a U.S.-based think tank, the Pew Research Center, also found that Asian Americans are the “highest-income, best-educated and fastest growing racial group in the United States.”
THEY COME TO LEARN AT THE COLLEGES IN THE US....
U BETTER GET SOME EDUCATION AND GET IT LIKE YESTERDAY.
From: Dominican Republic
The government of Leonel Fernandez and his tourist chief Javier Garcia as well as his vice minister Cesar Jose De Los Santos have managed to run down the tourism on the north coast in the last 8 years. This is the main reason why today POP is just receiving 35% of what used to come here. Everything else are just symptoms of the illness. Taxis and Motoconchos fighting for clients, street vendors, shop and restaurant owners taking advantage of the tourists etc. etc. This would happen in Bahamas and Costa Rica as well if the government just forgets about a region and people try to survive. The only way things could change in POP is if there is a change of taktic and investment of the government. Getting rid of the corrupt local tourism representants and start investing in the infrastructure and bringing order back to the torurist pols like Sosua and Cabarete. then we will see torists come back again to POP, may be not right away but in a near future...
Written by: abc200, 22 Jun 2012 11:50 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Better tourists keep away from worn-out hotels, stupid concrete architecture, crazy transport system etc.
New eco-resorts are the way forward integrated with sustainable local communities. Miches and surrounding areas have much potential for new model tourism.
As with Butlins holiday camps in UK eventually the demolition teams will move in and remove out-of-date monstrosities.
Costa Esmeralda is surrounded by national parks and the future is bright for eco-resorts.
S.
Written by: josean, 22 Jun 2012 12:04 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
People are finally waking up to the fact that Narco Lie-onel ‘s pretty Rhetoric was just that Rhetoric!
For 12 years he mesmerized the public with HIGHFALUTIN BS and Now the Chicken of Corrupt Mismanagement have come home to Roost!
¡Querían Moraó Cojan Moraó!
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 12:56 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
written by: cabareteguru, 22 jun 2012 11:26 am
from: dominican republic
great comment mr. cabaretguru.
it seems u know pop very well and what happen over there.
the only thing i would like to add i always said their where way too many motoconchos working over in this city.{but i do understand their are so many who cant fine any other work to do}
they come from from other cities to work the pop area
maybe the government should put some money into education and make some jobs for its people so that we dont have 1,000 of motoconchos. some times it seem like their where more motos then people in pop.
choo choo train.
great move leo u did good for your self.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 1:07 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
moto driver or become a guide and hustle the tourists.
the guides used to make a 30% comm on any money the tourists would spend in the gift shops or restaurants this is add -on to the sales price by the shop ,owners. who many sell counterfeit goods even cigars try and pass dominican cigars as cuban cigars.
maybe if they had a honest government and a police force that instead of making every day runs to pick up their payoff from the local drug dealers just maybe then the city might make a come back.
big maybe with the greed that goes on and on in the dr in all cities
only education might work . or then with the education at least their is a chance for all in the dr.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 1:16 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
pop needs more thenthe cable ride which is a great tourists and locals atracciones en pop.
need more then the vist to the amber museum {not many want to see or go there} they did clean up the malecon got rid of all the vendors the place was some eye sore yes many vendors did clean up after the week end but from friday night until sunday the place was like one hugh garbage can not a very pretty sight for the tourists and also for many locals who live there
the breeze from the ocean smells like s....t coming a shore.
{the poor kids swim in this ocean of human waste and smell}}.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 1:18 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
lie-onel ‘s pretty rhetoric
just like the pres of the united states.
but talk is cheap they say.
talk and do nothing for your people.
in the states we also are looking for the jobs and work.
Written by: danny00, 22 Jun 2012 2:53 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues, reflecting its success in the higher-end segment, but the sector faced declining revenues in 2009 with the global economic downturn. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises.
From: United States, NJ
dannyOO
Have you stopped to think that LF has done nothing for POP so as to increase the volume of tourist at the Southern Sector and Eat of the Island ?
Nor can you compare the rest of the Caribbean Islands to DR's economy, been all of them are protectorates of bigger economy with the exception of Jamaica. By protectorates i mean you don't need armed forces because they are either protected by USA,UK,Netherland, therefore need no
military which is the major cost for any country As to the old appearance of POP ,it is good providing the old Colonial facade is left untouched,but refaced like they did in SD.
Again if POP has not come to City standards ,whose fault do you think it is?You can't get tax money without reinvesting into it. It is like a growing business's expansion.I am sure if the same people investing and manageing the East Romana and Samana & Punta Cana were to manage POP the results would be quite diferent.
Written by: RoyStone, 22 Jun 2012 6:47 PM
From: Australia
"impact of taxes"?
That would be at the bottom of the long list of why tourism is dropping off.
1) High crime rate
2) Poor service
3) Rubbish everywhere
4) Disease
5) Noise
6) Lack of attractions
7) Decimated environment
8) Harassment by vendors, beggars and prostitutes
9) Hazardous driving
10) Language
11) Ripping-off tourists
....................
25) High taxes
(you can fill in the gaps)
From: United States, NJ
RoyStone:
You are right on what you said but all that would come under Gvt's responsability by better managed as a result of pouring money where money is needed at the request of those that have
investments there. #10 if any of the provinces are multi language is POP same as Samana, All the rest in your menu could be corrected if the Gvt stepped in . #25 high taxes ,ok and what do they
get for it in return? O i forgot the Metro needs money to have it completed.
Written by: abc200, 23 Jun 2012 11:35 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
POP should be written off - its reputation deals a blow to the rest of the DR. Perhaps close the airport.
Do not renew hotel licences with few exceptions such as hotels catering for young people in Cabarete.
The area round Miches has much potential for sensible eco-tourism and its isolation means that crime can more easily be controlled.
Punta Cana is now the countries leading airport and Miches is not far away. Up-to-date facilities could economically be developed in better areas and in time the concrete monstrosities of POP torn down or used for low cost workers housing.
The increasing violence in the whole country is a problem - maybe limiting transit on roads 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to holders of a route licence could provide a solution - a fast getaway to another area is always attractive to criminals. A few routes could be closed for general traffic - only gaguas etc. to be used when the person buying a ticket has had his identity ,reason to travel established.
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jun 2012 8:19 PM
From: Australia
Put a high fence across the isthmus of the Samana Peninsula and a controlled gate.
Get rid of all the feral peasant squatters.
Entry only by permit.
Clear out the slums, clean up the rubbish and watch the tourism boom.
From: United States, NJ
abc200:
POP has been written off in place of SD,we all know that. The point am trying to make is to bring it back to a safer and cleaner area ,but it takes central gvt support by means of money.
Roy ;
All that you see in Samana are run away Afro-American decendent in the 1800 to get away from
slavery and that is the reason they speak English as their primary language.When confronted they will tell you they are British. As far as i know Britain never put step in Hispaniola excepy for
the pirates and they were White,and that was in the 16th,17th century to get the Spaniard gold.
From: United States, NJ
abc200:
Are you telling me that POP is the worst City in DR? How about comparing it to most of your Southern Cities in DR? San Pedro and the Capital SD are not to far behind as to crimes .
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S.
the chineses are building a 3 billion dollar complex over there in the bahamas which will open soon
if the tourists where not treated as "prey} in the dr, if the tourists where not robbed or killed in the dr if the tourists had some real attractions to see in the dr then u just might have to worry about the tax rates they are charged.
the aquarium in santo domingo??? please please god no, the museums the noise the traffic the trash the wild crazy people running though the streets the very load music and noise the trash filled rivers
the amber museum in puerto plata they used to take from playa dora buses full of tourists to vist the amber museum??? please god no.
GREAT IDEA THEY ARE LINNED UP THE TOURISTS THEY WHERE JUST WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THE BUS SERVICE FROM POP AIPORT TO THE CITY.
THANK GOD WE HAVE THE ANSWER NOW...... HOW THE DR WILL GET RICH. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. MAYBE THEY SHOULD OPEN A SAVILE ROW IN PUERTO PLATA?
THEY THE CAB DRIVERS WHEN THEY SAW ONE GRINGO COMING OUT OF THE PLAYA DORA THE PRICE OF THE RIDE TO LETS SAY CENTRL PARK AND THE BULLSHIT GIFTS SHOPS OVER THERE IN POP, WOULD AT LEAST DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THEN THE LOCALS WOULD PAY.
THINK THEY NEED A CHOO CHOO TRAIN IN PUERTO PLATA.
ALL ABOARD.......
why do all the gift shops around the central parke sell the same things?
other problem was big time, many told me the locals that worked in the hotels told the tourists dont go into the town of pop, u might get robbed or they might kill u
many tourists told me they wanted to cut short their vacations and get the hell out of the dr and are never coming back.
yes they the workers told them this and its true i understand why they did this to try and keep the tourists on the hotel grounds to spend their dollars over there.
but man thats no very stupid thing top tell tourists they might get killed?
stupid thing to tell anyone.
YES WE NEED TO ADD MORE HOTEL ROOMS AND EXPAND THE AIPORTS THEY ARE COMING BY THE MILLIONS.
OK! YES THE BUS WILL HELP BUT U NEED MUCH MORE THEN A CHEAP BUS RIDE FROM THE AIPORT TO KEEP THE TOURISTS COMING AND COMING BACK FOR A OTHER VIST DONT U? {STOP TREATING THEM AS PREY}
think it might go down 5 pesos or so in the dr in the next few weeks?
hey! mr chavez is leos friend and many had shaved their heads to their new god mr chavez......
choo choo train.
all aboard leos express train going no where with passengers on board going no where in life. { but the tourists are flocking to the dr to see this choo choo train and the blue mall
thanks leo.
god bless u and your money u have in the banks all around the world.
are speaking about places like blackbeards { the lady place in costamabar}
is that what they like? sex with very young girls by old men from many countrys around the world? or is the culture and the beauty of the dr they are here to vist and see?
bet my last buck it the lady thing. sorry to have to tell u this guy.
think your a nice guy but u give many false hopes with your comments.
Posted Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
A new study says Asian Americans have overtaken Hispanics as the largest group of new immigrants arriving in the United States each year.
The report released Tuesday by a U.S.-based think tank, the Pew Research Center, also found that Asian Americans are the “highest-income, best-educated and fastest growing racial group in the United States.”
THEY COME TO LEARN AT THE COLLEGES IN THE US....
U BETTER GET SOME EDUCATION AND GET IT LIKE YESTERDAY.
New eco-resorts are the way forward integrated with sustainable local communities. Miches and surrounding areas have much potential for new model tourism.
As with Butlins holiday camps in UK eventually the demolition teams will move in and remove out-of-date monstrosities.
Costa Esmeralda is surrounded by national parks and the future is bright for eco-resorts.
S.
People are finally waking up to the fact that Narco Lie-onel ‘s pretty Rhetoric was just that Rhetoric!
For 12 years he mesmerized the public with HIGHFALUTIN BS and Now the Chicken of Corrupt Mismanagement have come home to Roost!
¡Querían Moraó Cojan Moraó!
from: dominican republic
great comment mr. cabaretguru.
it seems u know pop very well and what happen over there.
the only thing i would like to add i always said their where way too many motoconchos working over in this city.{but i do understand their are so many who cant fine any other work to do}
they come from from other cities to work the pop area
maybe the government should put some money into education and make some jobs for its people so that we dont have 1,000 of motoconchos. some times it seem like their where more motos then people in pop.
choo choo train.
great move leo u did good for your self.
the guides used to make a 30% comm on any money the tourists would spend in the gift shops or restaurants this is add -on to the sales price by the shop ,owners. who many sell counterfeit goods even cigars try and pass dominican cigars as cuban cigars.
maybe if they had a honest government and a police force that instead of making every day runs to pick up their payoff from the local drug dealers just maybe then the city might make a come back.
big maybe with the greed that goes on and on in the dr in all cities
only education might work . or then with the education at least their is a chance for all in the dr.
need more then the vist to the amber museum {not many want to see or go there} they did clean up the malecon got rid of all the vendors the place was some eye sore yes many vendors did clean up after the week end but from friday night until sunday the place was like one hugh garbage can not a very pretty sight for the tourists and also for many locals who live there
the breeze from the ocean smells like s....t coming a shore.
{the poor kids swim in this ocean of human waste and smell}}.
just like the pres of the united states.
but talk is cheap they say.
talk and do nothing for your people.
in the states we also are looking for the jobs and work.
Have you stopped to think that LF has done nothing for POP so as to increase the volume of tourist at the Southern Sector and Eat of the Island ?
Nor can you compare the rest of the Caribbean Islands to DR's economy, been all of them are protectorates of bigger economy with the exception of Jamaica. By protectorates i mean you don't need armed forces because they are either protected by USA,UK,Netherland, therefore need no
military which is the major cost for any country As to the old appearance of POP ,it is good providing the old Colonial facade is left untouched,but refaced like they did in SD.
Again if POP has not come to City standards ,whose fault do you think it is?You can't get tax money without reinvesting into it. It is like a growing business's expansion.I am sure if the same people investing and manageing the East Romana and Samana & Punta Cana were to manage POP the results would be quite diferent.
That would be at the bottom of the long list of why tourism is dropping off.
1) High crime rate
2) Poor service
3) Rubbish everywhere
4) Disease
5) Noise
6) Lack of attractions
7) Decimated environment
8) Harassment by vendors, beggars and prostitutes
9) Hazardous driving
10) Language
11) Ripping-off tourists
....................
25) High taxes
(you can fill in the gaps)
You are right on what you said but all that would come under Gvt's responsability by better managed as a result of pouring money where money is needed at the request of those that have
investments there. #10 if any of the provinces are multi language is POP same as Samana, All the rest in your menu could be corrected if the Gvt stepped in . #25 high taxes ,ok and what do they
get for it in return? O i forgot the Metro needs money to have it completed.
POP should be written off - its reputation deals a blow to the rest of the DR. Perhaps close the airport.
Do not renew hotel licences with few exceptions such as hotels catering for young people in Cabarete.
The area round Miches has much potential for sensible eco-tourism and its isolation means that crime can more easily be controlled.
Punta Cana is now the countries leading airport and Miches is not far away. Up-to-date facilities could economically be developed in better areas and in time the concrete monstrosities of POP torn down or used for low cost workers housing.
The increasing violence in the whole country is a problem - maybe limiting transit on roads 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to holders of a route licence could provide a solution - a fast getaway to another area is always attractive to criminals. A few routes could be closed for general traffic - only gaguas etc. to be used when the person buying a ticket has had his identity ,reason to travel established.
Get rid of all the feral peasant squatters.
Entry only by permit.
Clear out the slums, clean up the rubbish and watch the tourism boom.
POP has been written off in place of SD,we all know that. The point am trying to make is to bring it back to a safer and cleaner area ,but it takes central gvt support by means of money.
Roy ;
All that you see in Samana are run away Afro-American decendent in the 1800 to get away from
slavery and that is the reason they speak English as their primary language.When confronted they will tell you they are British. As far as i know Britain never put step in Hispaniola excepy for
the pirates and they were White,and that was in the 16th,17th century to get the Spaniard gold.
Are you telling me that POP is the worst City in DR? How about comparing it to most of your Southern Cities in DR? San Pedro and the Capital SD are not to far behind as to crimes .