According to the Presidents of the Association for the Tourist Development of Juan Dolio and Guayacanes and the Association of Hotels of the Eastern Region of the DR, Radhames Martinez Aponte and Ernesto Veloz, respectively, the hotel sector cannot continue to operate with a foreign exchange rate of RD$33 to US$1. Listin Diario reports they are suggesting that the government raise the minimum rate to RD$30 to one so they can regain the competitiveness they have lost in relation to other destinations. Yesterday, commercial banks closed operations selling the US currency at RD$33.10 to RD$33.15 for each US$1.00, whereas the purchasing rate was at RD$33.00 and RD$32.25, a 40-cent reduction compared to last Friday.