SANTO DOMINGO.- In the last ten years, hotels have contributed around 11% of the services sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the study "Productive Linkages of the Hotel Sector in the Economy of the Dominican Republic," presented yesterday Thursday by the Banco de Reservas and the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
“The hotel sector directly generates 106,891 jobs, which is equivalent to RD$37,595 million in annual salaries paid. This figure only includes the formal sector and only hotels, so if we add bars, restaurants and non-hotel establishments we could multiply that figure by three or four,” explained Roberto Despradel, from the firm DASA, which conducted the research.
Samuel Pereyra, CEO of the financial institution; and David Llibre, president of Asonahores, highlighted the importance of the research, which covers a wide spectrum of the impact of hotel establishments on the national economy.
A press release indicated that in 2022 the hotel industry created 113,842 indirect jobs, representing annual salary payments of RD$37,578 million.
In addition, purchases of more than 139 million pesos were made in the national market in 2022, for an increase of more than 40% compared to 2021, among which the examples of electricity, gas and water with more than 16 billion, in construction more than 12 billion and more than 3 billion in livestock and agriculture were cited.
Executives from the institutions involved. (External source).
“The hotel sector generates productive linkages with other economic activities vital to the development of local businesses that supply goods and services,” Despradel added.
The CEO of Banreservas emphasized that the study “reveals the positive effects of promoting the sustained growth of the value chains involved, both in the tourism sector and in other complementary industries.”.
Pereyra added that timely government policies supporting tourism make a significant contribution by providing multiple forms of financing to companies in the sector, especially to tourism projects that add value, such as the construction of large hotels and villas, which are key to creating jobs and wealth in the areas where they operate.
For his part, Llibre also highlighted the importance of the study because it details the contributions and the great weight of tourism in the economy, in addition to becoming a source of consultation for the sectors that promote tourism, as well as for decision-making.
“Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in 2023 were $9.8 billion, representing 34% of the country's total foreign exchange earnings, which are fundamental for social development and would not be possible without the legal framework that promotes tourism activity in the country,” Llibre stated.
The presentation of the study “Productive Linkages of the Hotel Sector in the Economy of the Dominican Republic” took place on the seventh floor of the Banreservas Tower, with the presence of executives from the Business and Tourism area of the financial institution, subsidiary companies and directors of Asonahores.
