Benefits of double destination between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic get pounded

Representative Rafael Garcia Colon blasted the possible benefits Puerto Rico could reap out of a double destination program between his country and the Dominican Republic. "American tourists who come to Puerto Rico are going to see much cheaper prices when they travel to the Dominican Republic, so they´re going to wind up traveling there. When it comes to tipping the balance, I believe we´re going to get the upper tray," Mr. Colon commented.

The island will be hit hard by that exchange because tourists traveling to the Dominican Republic will get a very affordable package compared to the much pricier Puerto Rico. "That´s a completely unprofitable European tourism. If that´s what they want to send over here, then they are absolutely off the beam," the Puerto Rican lawmaker pointed out.

Jorge Lopez, head of the Dominican Tourism Company in Puerto Rico, explained the double destination effort seeks to have German and European trippers travel to the island and U.S. trekkers visit the Dominican Republic.

Rep. Antonio Silva Delgado added European tourists might prefer not to come back to Puerto Rico once they realize the island is a more expensive destination. "Perhaps when the tourist gets the first travel package, he´ll say ´I got it. I won´t be back again,´ and next time he´ll stay in the Dominican Republic because it´s much cheaper over there," Mr. Silva averred.

If local hotels -he said- request a tax relief to operate a whole lot better under the double destination standard, then Puerto Rican taxpayers will end picking up the tab.

The Dominican Republic market is mostly dominated by European, Canadian and American travelers, while Puerto Rico is more of a U.S. getaway.