Asonahores expresses concern about a statement from the United States Embassy

The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) expressed concern about the statement “Alert: Reinforcement of migration in the Dominican Republic,” which was recently issued by theU.S. Embassy.

“Being the United States our main trading partner and the most important issuer of tourists to our country, We hope that the declaration will be resumed in view of the fact that, as a tourist destination, we have been open to channeling and diversifying the offer according to the attractions required by the different cultures that visit us.always emphasizing safety and respect for our clients, collaborators and communities”, informed Asonahores.

The entity highlighted that the Dominican Republic is recognized by the most important international tourism organizations for the diversity of proposals created as a destination, explaining that it is distinguished for its treatment and service in airports, hotels and tourist destinations.

However, he commented that although the difficult humanitarian, health, political and social situation that persists in Haiti product of internal social and political disagreements of that State, receives constant assistance from this nation, it is also true that this requires special attention from the international community, given that the solution to the scenario cited in that country exceeds the assistance capacity of Dominican Republic.

“Asonahores, as a representative of the organized tourism sector, expresses its concern with said statement, since it is precisely our cultural and racial diversity as a country one of our distinctive features in unconditional attention and special service to all our visitors in the Dominican style, full of joy. and without any discrimination”, he stressed.

He reiterated that according to all the surveys that are continuously carried out, a large part of the attraction of this country as a destination is precisely the cordial and professional treatment of the Dominicans towards all visitors to this territory.

In this sense, Asonahores said that "It is from the strong commercial ties and the close ties of friendship, which define the healthy strategic alliance between both nations, that we expect the reconsideration of the approaches that motivate this response.".

Last week the US consulate indicated that in the latest reports received they have reports of travelers complaining that they were questioned more rigorously at the ports of entry into the country because of their skin color.

They also pointed out that due to the increase in immigration operations in the Dominican Republic, focused on repatriating undocumented Haitian nationals, American tourists (especially those of dark complexion or of African descent) could mean more interactions with local migration agents.

“This message is to inform U.S. citizens that in recent months travelers to the Dominican Republic have reported being delayed, detained, or subjected to further questioning at ports of entry and in other encounters with immigration officials based on their skin color,” part of the statement said.