President Joaquín Balaguer, just over 50 days before the end of his mandate, has approved the use of government monies for the promotion of the country’s tourist industry. For most of his time in office, he has been firmly opposed to using government funds for such promotion, using the argument that the private tourism sector, who will benefit most, should support promotional ventures. Decree 212-96 issued on Sunday, 23 June creates a promotional fund with revenues to come from 50% of the income generated by charges levied on passengers and charter airlines. The decree establishes that the fund will start operating on 1 July and will be administered by the State and the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, which will represent the private sector.
The decree says that the Junta de Aeronautica Civil and the Ministry of Tourism should present, within 15 days for the approval of the Presidency, the rules that will establish the procedures and standards for the administration of the fund.
Since the mid 80s, the Ministry of Tourism has had practically no funds with which to promote the country abroad.