German tourism has fallen more than 50%

aegap

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Mar 19, 2005
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Because a great tipping tourist is WAY preferable to a bad tipping one! ..at least from the perspective of the working class Dominican..



You tip. Hence, your working class Dominican working in the tourism industry would rather have you visiting than one of those average Aleman that has stopped coming. They would rather have the average American that has started coming than that average German that has stopped so. ..it means they can put more food on their family and make the pie go higher, lol.

P.S when I say luxury hotels I mean of the type where each rooms has its own jacuzzi.

P.S. I don't tip much so I'm quite sure they'd prefer you over me, lol. (just a joke, I actually tip well)
 

aegap

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Mar 19, 2005
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When the low quality of the tourist you get is only enough to break even, its pretty stuff to invest in improving the quality and standards of what you provide, ..

Look what happens when the quality of the tourist goes up (i.e higher spenders):
http://dominicantribune.com/app/article.aspx?id=23895

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is in the midst of a hotel boom with more than 1,100 rooms set to join the area's room pool over the next two years.
<o></o>
New this month is the Golf Suites in Punta Cana, featuring 58 villas with 94 suites. The hotel brand is part of the Spanish-owned CTCOP Group.
<o></o>
Facilities include an infinity pool, a beach club, meeting rooms, 24-hour room service and a spa and fitness center. In addition, the 27-hole Cocotal Golf & Country Club adjacent to the Golf Suites is accessible to guests of the hotel.
For rates and details, visit :::::::::: the Golf Suites ::::::::::::::: or call (305) 767-2656.<o></o>

The Agua Resort & Spa, also in Punta Cana, will open its doors May 11. Although the luxury property, 24 miles from Punta Cana International Airport, will offer an American Plan (three meals a day) menu option, it will not be an all-inclusive resort.

The property's 53 suites are situated in 18 villas and resort facilities include a spa, a beachfront infinity pool, a fitness room, meetings facilities, 24-hour room service, three restaurants, concierge and butler services, Wi-Fi throughout the property, a mini kids' club, tennis courts and a variety of water sports.
<o></o>
Rates this summer range from $400 to $600 per room, per night, double. For details, visit Agua - Resort and Spa.
<o></o>
The Spanish NH Hoteles chain will make its Caribbean debut with two properties in Punta Cana, the first to open in December followed by a second in mid-2008
The 660-room Hotel Bavaro Real Arena, described as a five-star facility, is set to open this December and will include a small convention center.
Hotel VIP Real Arena, meanwhile, is slated to open in mid-2008 with 375 rooms and also is targeted at the luxury market.
Both properties represent an investment of $150 million. NH Hoteles' portion of the investment represents $5 million; several other partners also are involved, according to Gabriele Burgio, president.

NH Hoteles also is involved in the Cap Cana development project near Punta Cana and will build a 90-room boutique beachfront hotel and 250 rental apartments, which will be owned 50% each by NH Hoteles and Cap Cana. No opening date has been released.
NH Hoteles operates 258 hotels with 37,643 rooms in 19 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. For details on the chain's properties, visit Reservation hotels, offers accommodation Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella - NH.
Cap Cana and Trump ..Westin and Roco Ki ..Jack Nicklaus and Rincon Bay, those aren't even mentioned.

Viva America! ..Vivan los gringos!

PUNTACANA REsort & CLUBS is set to soon open its Los Corales development to at to it's recently opened luxury+ boutique hotel, ..

Welcome to PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB

Miamis BAP people had such a good time with their recent Casa de Campo investments, that they recently dicided to greatly expand , ..

The Lofts at Dye Fore - Project Details
Villas at Dye Fore - Project Details
Bienvenidos al Hoy Digital
Luis Fonsi y B?rbara Bermudo participan en campa?a publicitaria :: Bienes Raices :: DiarioDigitalRD.com - Noticias Republica Dominicana


Americans have brought an upscale tourism boom never seen before in the island of Hispaniola!
 
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corsair74

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Jul 3, 2006
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Tipping out of Vanity?!?

From contacts with local Russians I can tell that they tip alot. Like Americans - of vanity also. Trying also to impress and a bit put down others around.

From this goes another similarity of Russians and Americans - wherever both appear they destroy markets.
Smart locals explore their vanity and lack of market experience and smartness and start overcharging them immediately. The process that we are witnessing now in Sosua (especialy in RE).

When I first read this, I was a little offended. But then I read your previous posts and had to laugh.

What we have here is a case of the "raspberries." You are upset because you can no longer vacation in the DR for dirt cheap, exploitative prices.
But don't blame dominicans because they've chosen one type of tourist over another. You would have a hard time convincing them that they benefit more from a tourist industry that limits their capital gains.

And for Americans, tipping appropriately is not "vanity". It's considered a good business practice. We believe in paying for service. And we definitely believe in paying to play. We would consider someone with your philosophy as being cheap. Now, I realize that this might just be a cultural difference. But calling american tourists unsophisticated because we don't mind spending more on our vacations is just ignorant.

Did you ever stop to think that this attitude of yours might be the reason no one is really missing the German tourists?

As for us ruining the market, check out the development that Trump is planning for the North Coast.

Vince.
 

aegap

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Mar 19, 2005
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As a general rule: the more expensive the hotel the more employees per guest it has .. and the better its employees are paid (not even including tips!). It holds in DR ..its a nice rule to have!

As for us ruining the market, check out the development that Trump is planning for the North Coast.
North Coast? ..Trump at Rincon Bay Samana? ..Trump at Atlantica? ..Trump at Playa Grande? ..somewhere else? ..please tell!!
 
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corsair74

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Jul 3, 2006
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My Mistake.

Trump is developing on the East Coast, not the North.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.:glasses:

Vince.
 

aegap

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Mar 19, 2005
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Yeah, the East Coast (i.e. Where most American go!)

that's where his new Apprentice is going too, ..

http://www.dr1.com/forums/real-estate/59808-associated-press-meet-2-billion-trump-cap-cana.html

Did you read the following

Revista Clave, which is owned by the same people behind Cap Cana (Page 49):



De linaje inmobiliario,
la hija de Donald
Trump no se aparta
del mundo de la moda
y el lujo. Coment? a
CLAVE que abri? una
joyer?a artesanal de diamantes
en Las Vegas y en
Nueva York, que adora a
Carolina Herrera y venera
a Cocco Chanel, tal como
lo demostr? con un vintage
negro la noche de la
apertura de la Marina. La
espigada rubia estuvo en el
ranking de las top-model a los
16 a?os. Nueve a?os pasan
e Ivanka impulsa proyectos
millonarios desde la Trump
World Tower, en Manhattan.
Uno de estos es Trump at Cap
Cana. En Cap Cana, Ivanka
proyecta construir una torre
?que venere el sol, aqu?, en
Cap Cana?, as? como organizar
un certamen de Miss Universo,
despu?s de 2009.

Grupo Abrisa
 
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B

batich

Guest
When I first read this, I was a little offended. But then I read your previous posts and had to laugh.

What we have here is a case of the "raspberries." You are upset because you can no longer vacation in the DR for dirt cheap, exploitative prices.
But don't blame dominicans because they've chosen one type of tourist over another. You would have a hard time convincing them that they benefit more from a tourist industry that limits their capital gains.

And for Americans, tipping appropriately is not "vanity". It's considered a good business practice. We believe in paying for service. And we definitely believe in paying to play. We would consider someone with your philosophy as being cheap. Now, I realize that this might just be a cultural difference. But calling american tourists unsophisticated because we don't mind spending more on our vacations is just ignorant.

Did you ever stop to think that this attitude of yours might be the reason no one is really missing the German tourists?

As for us ruining the market, check out the development that Trump is planning for the North Coast.

Vince.

I am not a tourist. And I am not German. But I love your cool intelligent american post alot! Gracias!
 

corsair74

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Jul 3, 2006
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I am not a tourist. And I am not German. But I love your cool intelligent american post alot! Gracias!


Sorry!:eek:

I just naturally assumed by the text of your qoute, especially the one praising german tourists' sophistication and practicability, that you yourself were German. I apologize for that assumption.

I stand by my belief that tourism should never be a one-way street. Those of us who travel to the DR often benefit greatly from it's people and it's culture. Therefore, we have no reason to be stingy with our tourist dollars.

Having said that, I will be in Santiago this Friday. If any Dr1ners happen to be in Ahi Bar around 8 o'clock, drinks are on me. Look for two clean-shaven african american guys throwing back la benedictas.

Nos vemos despues.

Vince.
 
B

batich

Guest
Sorry!:eek:

I just naturally assumed by the text of your qoute, especially the one praising german tourists' sophistication and practicability, that you yourself were German. I apologize for that assumption.

I stand by my belief that tourism should never be a one-way street. Those of us who travel to the DR often benefit greatly from it's people and it's culture. Therefore, we have no reason to be stingy with our tourist dollars.

Having said that, I will be in Santiago this Friday. If any Dr1ners happen to be in Ahi Bar around 8 o'clock, drinks are on me. Look for two clean-shaven african american guys throwing back la benedictas.

Nos vemos despues.

Vince.

`ta cool!

a proposito, how do you call in your homeland a person who pays 10 bucks for something that all others pay $5?

Just to improve my knowledge of English.
 

xamaicano

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Apr 16, 2004
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It's much easier when the price shown is the price you pay!

I hate haggling. When I asked this Haitian guy selling stuff in shop on Sosuab beach he said he used have prices on his items but tourist would still haggle so he took the prices off.
 

qgrande

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Jul 27, 2005
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Many Europeans don't give back to the communities in which they live, which I don't like. Canadians are the greatest at this for whatever reason.
The English are not to be confused with 'europeans', they are giving in my estimation. But the french, germans, italians, dutch, swiss, austrians, et. al (have have I missed someone to **** off?) don't give back. I don't have a clue as to why, but ask any waitress who tips best and who tips poorly. A simple guage that can be useful. Very general statement, I know, but we all seem to get pigeon-holed at one time or another. Hate to do that, but sometimes the shoe fits. (BTW, do Russians tip? I have no idea).

Yes, Europeans generally don't tip as generous as North-Americans, (and I frankly don't see a difference between continental Europeans and British or Irish on this one. There's some unhealthy German-bashing going on in this thread). But really, tipping is not the only way to give back to a community. There are many other ways, like spending money outside resorts, frequenting locally owned establishments, etc. You would have to have a lot more data to back your statement that Europeans don't give back to communities than just the tipping. And remember that, yes, Europeans (and that definitely includes the Brits) in certain parts of the country are of the extremely cheap and uninterested variety.
 

corsair74

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Good question!

`ta cool!

a proposito, how do you call in your homeland a person who pays 10 bucks for something that all others pay $5?

Just to improve my knowledge of English.

You know. I don't see how this happens a lot, since the prices are posted on the merchandise everywhere that I shop here in the states. In a foreign country, I would simply call that person a "tourist".

My general philosophy is, if you can afford that extra fiver, and you are having fun and are happy with your purchase, then don't ruin your high by worrying if you've been fleeced or not. Just enjoy your vacation.

Vince.
 

Rocky

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There's some unhealthy German-bashing going on in this thread
Is there a healthy way to do it? ;)
Seriously now...
I can tell you that there were so many Germans in Sosua when I moved here, that the Germans themselves were complaining about it.
I can't tell you how many times that German people have scolded me for asking them to translate something that a German was saying to me, as they didn't want it known that they were German, for fear of being lumped into the general concensus about the German tourists we had at that time.
This is not my opinion, I am stating.
I am stating that many Germans were of the opinion that those were low class tourists in those days and that just because we are not German, doesn't mean we can't agree, for fear of it not being politically correct.
 

amparocorp

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having spent 20 years making a living from tourists in key west FL and depending on tips for a good part of my income it was always a body blow when my next customers were europeans. i used to think it was because they were cheap, rude, or uneducated to the practice. i have come to realize it is because as a group they don't have any money. they are taxed to death at home. free tuition, free medical care, outstanding prisons, europe has become socialist. very few rock and roll stars from the UK keep their money there, they set up US corporations to avoid getting taxed. i took a friend of mine from KW to SD once for 5 days, he owns a small auto paint and body shop, he brought 7000 dollars cash in a pants pocket for spending money. in europe there are very few small businessmen making the kind of money we see in the US because of taxes................and those that work for someone else may have a great lifestyle, 32 hour work week, pension, medical, tuition, 5 paid weeks vacation, etc. they don't get really big salaries...........
 

qgrande

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I am stating that many Germans were of the opinion that those were low class tourists in those days and that just because we are not German, doesn't mean we can't agree, for fear of it not being politically correct.
Of course, completey agree, of course the Germans there were (and are) cheap and low class, but so are the Dutch, British, Italians, Swedes, and perhapsevenmaybeinsomewaysinsomeareas, the Americans and Canadians too. I was just reacting to a post singling out continental Europeans as people who don't give back to communities. As a general statement, and only based on observations on tipping, that's BS.
 

J D Sauser

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German tourism has fallen in many countries, not just the DR and there are reasons for it not just abroad but in Germany which has suffered from a slowing economy for the las couple of years. This seems to be changing recently, so now it remains to be seen which countries will be on the German's wish list to spend some well deserved vacations.

... J-D.
 

aegap

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German tourism has fallen in many countries, not just the DR and there are reasons for it not just abroad but in Germany which has suffered from a slowing economy for the las couple of years. This seems to be changing recently, so now it remains to be seen which countries will be on the German's wish list to spend some well deserved vacations.

... J-D.

yup, Germany is at the tail-end of a protracted version of what US went through after 9-11. Now, that was REALLY bad for PUnta CAna. IT so happens that those less likely to travel abroad during an economic downturn are those closer to the bottom of the latter (i.e. those with the least amount of disposable income).
 

bonao1969

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I know why.

I used to tell all my friends here in the states to go to DR1 to read about my second favorite country, in English, but now I don't tell anybody because of the local news about how corrupt the DR is. Everyday there are more stories about government officials getting away with more and more crimes and not called on them. Today, the big raises for some unqualified people that will probably get away with it. It will never change and the DR will never be number 1 on any tourist list. Too bad, because it is a beautiful place with a lot to offer if done right.
 

PlantaFULL

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About the unsophisticated American post. Of course that is generalized bs. There are unsophisticated people in all societies. I think the reason Europeans often see destinations that are invaded by US tourists as ruined, is because they are followed by a strong tendency to change the local market and make it more like at home. Meaning: replace local Comedor & Mangu with McDonnals & Ihop.

Some, but not all Europeans see McD type stuff at their destination, its ruined, too Americanized. They do it themselves too of course, at some german invaded destinations you can order Wienerschnitzel.
 

incredible

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Jul 9, 2006
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Is that ten or one hundred pesos?!

They don't get a salary, they work for tips.

I give RD$15-25 depending on what change I have, how much there is to carry, and whether I ask them to wait while I pop into another shop like the pharmacy before going to the car.

I give 100 pesos sometimes much more because I have the choice and i can afford it! :)

Some may say I am foolish, however I used to work in the restaurant business while in college.
I feel tipping reflects the size of your heart to a certain extent, based on ones means ...

One thing I usually do not do is I rarely tip beggars in cash but I will offer them food!
Better that they are not hungry than buying alcohol or drugs... :)