Tourism industry representatives are lobbying for the incentives granted to the industry to be applied to more areas in the country. They say this will encourage more attractions for visitors and domestic tourists, which have been shown to have a greater trickle-down effect in the economy. As reported in Diario Libre, several business organizations are calling on the Chamber of Deputies to pass the second reading of the bill that modifies the Law for Promotion of Tourism Development so that new tourism areas can be added.
The National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores) and the Dominican Association of Real Estate Companies (Adeti), and big businesses including Grupo Punta Cana, Grupo Vicini and Grupo Cisneros say that new areas should be included in the bill. The groups also call for the creation of an Official Tourism Promotion Fund. The private sector representatives met with the members of the Congressional tourism commission, chaired by deputy David Collado. The private sector was represented by Juan Bancalari, Adeti, Alba Russo for Asonahores, Yudith Castillo for Grupo Punta Cana and Ernesto Veloz, president of the Association of Hotels of the East, as reported in Diario Libre. The business representatives said that the proposals for change would put the Dominican Republic on a level playing field for competing with Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica in terms of tourism investments. Bancalari is asking for the term for tax exemptions to be extended from 10 to 15 years. The two readings need to be passed before the end of the year. A first reading has already taken place.
www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2013/12/03/i413535_piden-camara-baja-aprobar-incentivos-para-sector-turastico.html