Santo Domingo.- The decision that the Central Electoral Board has assumed to raise to RD$15,000 (US$455.00) to the rate charged to foreigners that choose to marry here, has set off a conflict with hoteliers and tour operators, who had already sold this year’s summer and winter packages.

Before the raise, prices for the service fluctuated between RD$4,500 and RD$5,000, plus one thousand pesos that the judge in the Eastern region require to legalize the document.

This rate variation jeopardizes the flow of foreign tourists coming to the Dominican Republic to be wed.  It is estimated that this year, approximately 90,744 weddings were performed in the Northern and Eastern regions.

This increment, “without prior notice,” say tourism sources, has created considerable unease among foreigners seeking to come for their marriage ceremonies here, which in many cases are cancelling.  Also, price guarantees publicized in media promotions by hotels are not being met.

Both the Hoteliers Association ASONAHORES as well as tour operators asked that the measure be revised.

In the northern region, some 2,150 weddings take place with an average occupancy per event ranging between 20 and 30 persons.  In the East, it is estimated that 1,697 weddings are performed each week, equivalent to 88,244 per year.

Hoteliers fear they could lose this market, given that in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States, this ceremony could result more economic.  There, some 100 thousand weddings take place every year.