As was reported by many papers over the weekend and in today’s Diario Libre, worldwide air travel has declined as much as 50%. The 150 agencies belonging to IATA reported that sales fell by nearly RD$68 million from October to December of 2003. Ticket prices have nearly doubled in the same time period. Last November, a trip to New York City from the DR cost approximately RD$10,000. Today, however, the same trip could cost as much as RD$22,000. Travel agencies are still shaking from the new payment demands being required by the airlines. Payment is now to be made weekly, rather than bi-weekly, as was the custom. According to the report by Diana de Miguel, 25% of all travel agencies are on the edge, and El Caribe reported on Saturday that 250 agencies have closed their doors. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As was reported by many papers over the weekend and in today’s Diario Libre, worldwide air travel has declined as much as 50%. The 150 agencies belonging to IATA reported that sales fell by nearly RD$68 million from October to December of 2003. Ticket prices have nearly doubled in the same time period. Last November, … <\/p>\n