The National Hotel & Restaurant Association opposes the bill presented by Iván Rondón (PRI-Hato Mayor) that would give municipality status to the Island of Saona. The 70-square kilometer island at present is part of the National Park of the East. If it received municipality status, it would no longer be under the protection of the National Parks Department. President of Asonahores, Rafael Blanco Canto sent a letter to the president of the Senate, urging the latter to not pass the bill. Saona island receives approximately 200,000 tourists a year. The island has a population of about 400 inhabitants. (23 June 2000)
