High Costs Threaten to End Wedding Program Promoted by Dominican Travel Industry

The decision that the Central Electoral Board has assumed to raise to RD$15,000 ($455) to the rate charged to foreigners that choose to marry in the Dominican Republic has set off a conflict with hoteliers and tour operators who had already sold this year’s summer and winter packages.

Before the raise, prices for the service fluctuated between RD$4,500 and RD$5,000, plus one thousand pesos that the judge in the Eastern region require to legalize the document.

This rate variation jeopardizes the flow of foreign tourists coming to the Dominican Republic to be wed. It is estimated that this year, approximately 90,744 weddings were performed in the Northern and Eastern regions.

This increment, “without prior notice,” say tourism sources, has created considerable unease among foreigners seeking to come for their marriage ceremonies here, which in many cases are canceling. Also, price guarantees publicized in media promotions by hotels are not being met.

Both ASONAHORES (the National Hotels and Restaurants Association) and tour operators have asked the measure to be revised.

In the northern region, some 2,150 weddings take place with an average occupancy per event ranging between 20 and 30 persons. In the East, it is estimated that 1,697 weddings are performed each week, equivalent to 88,244 per year.