The president of the Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), David Llibresaid that the tourism results accumulated until April (more than four million visitors) have an economic and social effect, since they do not stay in airports, hotels, restaurants and transporters.
«These results are felt in thousands of small and medium-sized companies distributed throughout the national territory. Let us remember that the last study on the impact of tourism on MSMEs registered 17 thousand productive units of this category throughout the national territory whose activities are directly or indirectly linked to tourism,” he indicated.
“When we see the accumulated numbers as of April, we continue to celebrate the arrival of tourists by air and cruise ships, whose presence strengthens the country’s economy and energizes the productive activities of the communities directly and indirectly related to tourist activity.”
The head of the largest tourism union in the country, stated that unlike other competing countries, tourism imports the majority of the products and services consumed in the Dominican Republic, being responsible for impacting different sectors of the economy up to 40% of its production and is responsible for 10% of the country’s tax revenues with a collection of 155 billion pesos of taxes paid directly and indirectly.
He explained that for this reason, “we should not be complacent when we celebrate that we have exceeded the goal of 10 million visitors, the Dominican Republic has all the characteristics to continue growing and even double the number of tourist arrivals we receive in 2023.”
Llibre urged to maintain the successful formula that has allowed the investment levels that the sector has today, since he understands that a modification, reduction or elimination of the legislative structure that the sector currently has, will only lead to investments migrating to other competing countries, therefore, not allowing the tourist offer to remain updated and at the forefront of the different competing countries, the contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, its contribution at the level of taxes, its contribution to the rest of the economy and its contribution to the generation of jobs.
«Tourism in the Dominican Republic is a tradable sector that competes in the international market with other tourist destinations. Unlike other sectors, tourism needs to continue developing to maintain its competitiveness in the global market. Despite the progress, there is still great growth potential in different tourist centers of the country, such as Pedernales, Miches, Punta Bergantin which need the current legislative structure for their development,” he pointed out.
