where your dollars wind up

[rmary]

Hi All,

I was just replying to a comment made by Nal0whs to Music in another thread and then realized that my comments might be hijacking the thread, so I decided to start a new one.

This is what Nal0whs said

Tell as many people as you meet about how great the DR is outside the AIs...

That's what the Dominican Republic needs, people that will benefit the economy as a whole. I know you probably were not thinking of it as an economical issue (I know, this is how I think of things for the most part, which is weird because I'm Dominican and most Dominicans don't think this way, anyways). The more people do what you did, the better the economy will be not just for the All-Inclusives, but also to the many mom and pops stores across the country. Think how many businesses are that one bit better off because of your contribution! All those clubs, all those stores, even if their business fails due to the economy, at least you helped them in their last leg of things. Thank You for enjoying the Dominican Republic and Thank You for helping the Dominican economy the way you did. Every bit counts because when its all put together, the economy is every person that contributes to it, big or small!! Again, Thank You and may you have hundreds of more great Dominican trips in the future!!!!

And this is my reply

Hi Nal0whs,

Where our vacation dollars wind up is always an issue for us when we are deciding where to stay and what to do while on vacation. This may sound altruistic on its face, but really it also has to do with having something to return to the next time we come back. If I wanted my tourist dollars to wind in in say, Spain, I would vacation in Spain.

On our second trip to the DR, we stayed at one of the Barcelo resorts in Punta Cana. When I discovered that they are a Spanish chain, this really bothered me. I do realize that the DR needs foreign investment, but.......And at least at that time, there wasn't really much to do off resort. This made me resolve to look a little deeper before I book vacations.

Now we tend to book our own flights and rent a villa. I've never been quite able to figure out if this is cheaper, but at least I have a better idea of where my money is going. We eat in local restaurants, shop in local grocery stores, drink in local bars, use local taxi's etc. etc.

When you stop and think about it, it is the Dominican people who are making your vacation what it is. They are the ones doing the work, being friendly and all of that. They deserve to have the benefit to the local economy.

Rose

[Music]

Originally Posted by rmary

Hi All,

I was just replying to a comment made by Nal0whs to Music in another thread and then realized that my comments might be hijacking the thread, so I decided to start a new one.

This is what Nal0whs said



And this is my reply

Hi Nal0whs,

Where our vacation dollars wind up is always an issue for us when we are deciding where to stay and what to do while on vacation. This may sound altruistic on its face, but really it also has to do with having something to return to the next time we come back. If I wanted my tourist dollars to wind in in say, Spain, I would vacation in Spain.

On our second trip to the DR, we stayed at one of the Barcelo resorts in Punta Cana. When I discovered that they are a Spanish chain, this really bothered me. I do realize that the DR needs foreign investment, but.......And at least at that time, there wasn't really much to do off resort. This made me resolve to look a little deeper before I book vacations.

Now we tend to book our own flights and rent a villa. I've never been quite able to figure out if this is cheaper, but at least I have a better idea of where my money is going. We eat in local restaurants, shop in local grocery stores, drink in local bars, use local taxi's etc. etc.

When you stop and think about it, it is the Dominican people who are making your vacation what it is. They are the ones doing the work, being friendly and all of that. They deserve to have the benefit to the local economy.

Rose

Rose- I agree with you! I went to Punta Cana my first time boring after 2 days on the resort there's not much to do. I enjoyed Puerto Plata so much because there was much more to do and I was able to meet lots of people leaving the resort area. I rather give my money to the Dominicans working and who are so kind to me when I visit there country!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by rmary

Now we tend to book our own flights and rent a villa. I've never been quite able to figure out if this is cheaper, but at least I have a better idea of where my money is going. We eat in local restaurants, shop in local grocery stores, drink in local bars, use local taxi's etc. etc.

I wish more would take your lead. Their vacation experience would increase 10 fold. They would take home more than a sun tan, they would take home a cultural experience.

[frank alvarez]

God Bless You all for thinking like that. It's true that many of these resorts are totally foreign-owned and the only thing the DR gets is its takes and the poorly paid jobs of those working in these all-inclusives. A more independent attitude definitely allows you to enjoy more freedom, contact with the people and helps the DR economy too. Bravo!

[rmary]

We stayed in Cabarete in December of 2001. We had planned the trip before the attacks of Sept. 11th and were not going to let that stop us. Needless to say, things were very quiet that year on the beach. We had an "altercation" with a beach vendour who was trying to sell us some stuff. We were willing to buy, but he was trying to confuse us with the calculation from U.S. dollars to pesos. We got angry and just left the beach (we were planning on leaving soon anyway) and the lady that ran the ice cream stand next to Onno's (at the time) tried to calm us down. We left anyway, but the day later, we went back for ice cream LOL. She explained that things had been very hard for the vendours that year because tourism was so down, and that these guys were just trying to feed their families (admittedly, still no excuse for the guy to try and trick us like that. We are honest patsies).

This made me really stop and think. At this point, it was pretty obvious that we would be coming back to the DR fairly often. What would we find when we got there?

This may seem like a non sequitor, but I remember when they were just building the new casino's in Atlantic City, and how it was expected that this would "revitalize" the area. It is common knowledge that these establishments almost never do much for the "local" economy, and such was the case with Atlantic City. The AI's remind me a lot of those casinos. There's no "need" to leave. It is a fantasy world.

I'm on a tare on this, so I hope you guys don't mind if I continue later.

Rose

[MommC]

almost as soon as we got there to take a walk along the beach road to check out the "local" area! We then journeyed up the road every chance we got to see the "sights" and talk to the local people. Made our way to the local beach, met a Canadian couple who had a vacation home in Juan Dolio who invited us over for coffee. We took them up on their offer the next day and the rest is history!
We now own a vacation home in Juan Dolio, spend anywhere from 4- 6 months a year there and spend ALL our $$$ to support the Dominican economy while there!
We too wish more people would get out of the resorts and get to know the REAL Dominican Republic!

[Bartolomeo67]

Great postings!
I have been to this beautiful country more than a dozen times and I have never stayed in an AI, always in the Real Dominican Republic and I love it!
Budget-wise I am a fool because an AI package holiday with flight and accomodation can never be beaten on price by doing it the DIY way, certainly not from Belgium where I live. I just enjoy the freedom to go where I want, the dominican atmosphere and the always new Dominican experiences.
Regards,
Bart

[Music]

Originally Posted by Bartolomeo67

Great postings!
I have been to this beautiful country more than a dozen times and I have never stayed in an AI, always in the Real Dominican Republic and I love it!
Budget-wise I am a fool because an AI package holiday with flight and accomodation can never be beaten on price by doing it the DIY way, certainly not from Belgium where I live. I just enjoy the freedom to go where I want, the dominican atmosphere and the always new Dominican experiences.
Regards,
Bart

Question- I have always go to an AI due to budget reasons I went last week for $810.00 but I ventured out every day and loved it. But I've always wanted to go to a non AI.
I know it's hard to say exactly how much you would spend but maybe you could give me an estimate on how much it would cost on flight, hotel, food, I like to dance so I would be going out a lot and drinking I do a bit but two or three cerveza would probably be enough for me lol! No really the cost for flight, hotel and food would be my concern.

Thanks in advanced