The National Association of Hotels & Tourism (Asonahores) is concerned that the Abinader administration may reduce tax exemptions and other advantages that have made the Dominican sector one of the most competitive globally. The tax cuts could come as part of the tax reform package the government has under study as it seeks more revenues.
Asonahores issued a press release calling for the keeping of the tax incentives to the tourism sector, arguing the tourism industry generates 30% of the country’s direct foreign investment. Asonahores says that from 2009 to 2019, 16,000 hotel rooms have been added to the national hotel room inventory and US$5 billion in foreign investment.
Asonahores advocates the government maintain the present policies to guarantee the regional competitiveness of the tourism sector and present growth rates in investment and construction of new rooms and complementary tourism projects.
Asonahores says that the timing is not right to cut the incentives. It says that alternatives need to be found that are the fruit of consensus and the right moment so as not to affect the recovery process, development and competitiveness of the destination.
Asonahores says there are currently more than US$243 million approved in the pipeline for the construction of more tourism ventures, despite the global health crisis. Asonahores says the incentives are strategic to the welfare of the sector.
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Hoy
Asonahores
19 October 2021