SANTO DOMINGO.- The hoteliers and restaurateurs grouped in ASONAHORES yesterday complained that bus companies of the La Romana tourist region impose contracts for passenger services using violence and demand that the Government enforce freedom of commerce.

“ASONAHORES supports the decision of the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotels Association to not accept the imposition of conditions or the obligation to contract unwanted transport services,” the tourism-based organization said.

It asked the tourism, transport and Police authorities to protect the right of the La Romana - Bayahibe hotels to transport their employees using their own means. “The use of violence is an unacceptable practice in a democratic society with an open economy based on free competition, in which the companies are forced to compete in a globalised world.”

ASONAHORES’ warning comes in the wake of last Tuesday’s attack of a bus carrying Viva Resorts personnel, which was halted and pelted with stones in La Romana, and prompted the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotels Association (AHRB) to demand respect for their right to freely choose their means of transport.

The attack came after Viva Resorts decided to transport their employees with their own buses to confront a 68% jump in fees by the company Sol & Mar C. x A., and a transport association’s attempt to impose rates and form a monopoly.

Viva Resorts warns it will “defend the right to freely choose the best form to transfer their employees to the hotel,” and cautioned against the zone’s bus companies to violently impose a monopoly.