The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) reported yesterday that the DR missed its tourism income projections for 1998 by US$125 million. Using the industry assumption that each tourist spends about US$1,000 on his vacation in the DR, this represents some 125,000 tourists fewer than expected. Industry sources blame the lower numbers not only on Hurricane Georges, but also the fall in the number of British tourists after food safety rumors. They also urged the rapid privatization of the nation’s airports as a way to improve their appearance and operation.
