Bayahibe boat owners halt Saona tours to protest higher cost

Bayahibe, Dominican Republic.- With the support of various organizations, Bayahibe’s Boat Owners Association halted the transport of tourist in the area on Tuesday, to protest against the Environment Ministry’s higher cost to enter Cotubanama National Park.

The walkout has hindered much of Bayahibe’s bustling tourism activities, as protesters staged a rally in front of local offices of Environment, which recently raised from 100 to 500 pesos the entry fee to the National Park, especially Isla Saona, destination of most of the excursions.

“This is an abuse, an outrage,” said City councilman Eduado Rijo, quoted by diariolibre.com.

As many as 250 boats, including speedboats and catamarans, transport around 5,000 foreign and local tourists to Saona and Cotubanama every day, a business considered the country’s most profitable excursion.

The organizations warned the Environment Ministry that they will continue the walkout if it fails to meet their demand.