Not true!
They also do a good job of hassling the water sports operators and anybody working the beach that didn't pay RD$2000 for a "license".
Did you ever note that there is almost zero communication between the Dominican agencies that control the beach towns, and the myriad of foreigners that own the businesses that keep them in business? Nada.
It's as though the local government agencies are run by decree by some unknown boss who lives far away and gets his orders from an even more mysterious person, while the people affected by the procedures and policies are simply told, usually without warning, in a vague and inconsistent manner, and without the possibility of review. It is an US and THEM system.
The businesses that generate the revenue and bring in the tourists are not on the same team as the municipal government and nobody can figure out exactly who the hell is in charge. That's why the only way a foreigner can expect top operate in this environment by keeping a low profile and having a connection or two should something "happen".
Take for example, BocaChicaBeach.net. The ONLY web site dedicated to that famous little beach town and certainly the most visited and comprehensive with respect to said beach town.
Do you know how many times the owner has been contacted by any officials. Zero. Not a comment, a thanks, an idea, a statement, an opinion, a word of support, a question, an interest, a promotion, or even an introduction. Nada.
Considering the guts of Boca Chica is only 1/4 square miles, and that thee web site most apt to be what visitors looking on the internet will see, and that this site averages nearly a 1/4 million UNIQUE visitors a year, ... considering the how many people do travel research via the internet, everybody has missed the boat.
I have no idea how the official paid tourism promoters for the Dominican Republic have missed this. I bet when someone does make contact, it will not be for the purpose of teamwork and cooperation.
Isn't it funny that one could walk into most any hotel, restaurant, cambio, or store and the owners will be familiar with the Boca Chica page, yet could not tell you how runs the show in Boca Chica and probably could not tell you the name of a single elected official.
The Dominicans are not running the show in Boca Chica except where it lines their pockets. Foreigners own and operate most all of the brick-and-mortar businesses. That's about the only contact the municipalities have with the local businesses. To impose a rule, collect a fee, or enforce a policy.
I understand the difficulty, with owners speaking all different languages from Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish. Regardless, and sure there has been a meeting or two with the local associations that accomplished nothing, but it seems there is a serious void in leadership, cohesion, common vision, cooperation, communication, and spirit.
The majority of the interaction between the revenue and tourist generators and the government agencies is for the exact opposite. The welcome mat is not being presented, it is being scrutinized like a cop sitting on the side of the freeway in a radar trap.
Last edited by Jim Hinsch; 10-23-2002 at 11:54 PM.
|
(10)
Mounted politur patrols: innovative policing or malodorous pollution source
I Wonder When the "Tour" part of the name means it
