The president of the Association of North Coast Tourism Operations (Opetur), Pedro Tomasio recommended that the government privatize the Puerto Plata sky lift. Pedro Tomasio told El Siglo that it should be privatized so it can finally get into working condition. President Leonel Fernández himself attended the inaugural of the sky lift on 4 November. The sky lift was not placed into operation then, and had to wait several more weeks to start operation. When it started operation, it only lasted two days when it had to be shut down again due to problems with the motor of the sky lift. The sky lift was repaired at a cost of US$1 million. It had been out of operation since August 1996. The sky lift to the top of Isabel de Torres mountain is one of the main tourist attractions in the North Coast.
