Asonahores open to salary increases in hotel sector

Santo Domingo.- Juan Bancalari, president of the Dominican Republic’s Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), announced that the hotel sector is open to increasing employee salaries, though at a lower rate than suggested by President Luis Abinader. Hoteliers are prepared to raise wages by 12% and 8%, in line with the general minimum wage adjustments established in February.

Bancalari explained that the industry had already assessed potential salary increases prior to the president’s recent proposal. However, following Abinader’s call for a higher adjustment, sector representatives have reconvened to re-evaluate their stance.

The president’s proposed tax reform—which includes a 25% rate for the free trade zone and 30% for the tourism sector—aims not only to support wage increases but also to promote the “Dominicanization of labor” by encouraging more local employment in these industries.