Hotel owners complained to the Tourism Minister about the absurdly low prices they have to offer for their all-inclusive resorts to the tour operators.
The tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia Fernández was a guest last Saturday in the Dolphin Park Ocean World in Puerto Plata.
He spoke to, among other people, the representatives of these hotels.
They told the minister that they can not continue like this, because they have to feed the guests three times day and beverages through out the day for an amount of 18-25 dollars a day.
In addition, an entertainment team has to keep the guests happy at daytime and in the evening.
All this must be paid from the $18!
According to spokesman of the hotels this is impossible.
But the hotel owners don't argue with the tour operators otherwise they won't receive any guests and they can for sure close their hotel.
The tourists, however, pay the full price 55-70 dollars per night.
The difference of 35 to 50 dollars stay in Europe, Canada or the USA.
The Minister of Tourism
This doesn't benefit the Dominican population in any way.
But, and the hotel owners admitted it, they are guilty too, there is no solidarity among the various hotel owners.
If they act together against the absurd demands of the tour operators, then they could negotiate together for better prices for accommodation and meals.
This does not mean that the tourists should pay a higher price for their holidays.
But if the tour operator agrees with a smaller profit, hotel owners and tourists don't have to suffer any longer.
