Arturo Villanueva, executive vice president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association said that while hotel occupancy was up 3 points to 70% in 2000, revenues were down US$100 million. He said this clearly proves that hoteliers are selling their packages for less this year. Villanueva says that revenue-wise 2001 will be a worse year for the industry. He explained that hoteliers pre-sold their packages nine months ago, prior to the new tax changes that increase operational costs for these. He said hotels will have to absorb the new costs. This translates into bargain prices for tourists in the DR this year. Asonahores executive vice president says that official statistics show that the sector produced US$2,480 million in 2000. An additional 5,000 rooms entered the market last year, for 52,000 total. The Dominican Republic has the most hotel rooms in the Caribbean. (19 January 2001)
