| Government Affairs Monthly Report |
Government Affairs Report - December 2011
Puerto Rico Power Authority
PRHTA had a very positive meeting with the new Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Power Authority and the Authority’s Director of Customer Service. During the meeting we were able to illustrate the importance of preserving the 11% electric credit granted to certain hotels. PREPA’s Executive Director supported the credit and briefed us on some of the initiatives they are working with to reduce the cost of electricity in Puerto Rico and to promote economic development.
IVU Loto Program
PRHTA met with the Undersecretary of the Treasury Department and members of his staff to discuss the implementation of the IVU Loto program in hotels and to discuss our concerns. We recommended that the IVU Loto terminals be placed in every hotel outlet except the front desk. This way an IVU Loto receipt will be provided to the client whenever they pay for goods and services and /or charged them to the room. We understand this method will help the Treasury Department with its role of supervising the sales and use tax without affecting day to day hotel operations. PRHTA will provide the Department with a written statement regarding the areas of concerns of the hotel sector.
Innkeeper’s Act Amendments
Governor Luis Fortuño signed into law the bill that increases the penalties applicable to those individuals who violate hotel rules and regulations. Additionally the new law imposes fines to persons who gain access to the hotel rooms without being authorize to do so.
“Porta Antillas” / East & Central Tourism Region
PRHTA will be presenting testimony in relation to two legislative proposals seeking to establish an additional tourist region in Puerto Rico comprising the eastern and central municipalities. PRHTA plans to recognize the importance of developing the different regions as tourism poles but will reiterate that we should focus our efforts and resources in promoting Puerto Rico as the destination. Also, we plan to brief legislators on our proposal to establish an independent destination marketing organization that would guide Puerto Rico’s tourism promotional and marketing campaign.
Security in Casinos
Members of our Association Casino and Security Committees met with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Gaming Director to discuss several issues related to the security measures set in place by different casinos. The Gaming Director briefed us on some of the concerns they have as a regulatory entity and described several incidents that have occurred in casinos. We agreed to designate a special committee to study this issue and develop recommendations that would strengthen the security offered by casinos in Puerto Rico.
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