Don't know much about AI's.
[QUOTE=Mr Gogo;1104611]Westy great info. But I have to disagree on one part, and someone who knows can tell me if I'm wrong. Arent most of the AI owned by Dominicans not outside investors?[/QUOTE]I've got to 'fess up, Mr. Gogo, I don't know much about the AI business; certainly not from the inside. But it has to be similar to the hotel business, and I know just enough about [i]that[/i] To stay the hell out of it. (Need a rolled-eyes smiley)
Some hotels are owned by locals and run by their owners, like the New Garden, Terra Linda, Rocky's, etc. Some are owned by individuals, but run with a franchise from a well-known hotel chain; that can go from Motel 6 to the heights of the business. Some are owned by corporations under franchise; some belong to the national or international corporation whose name is on the front door; some are run by international corporations, but 'the house' actually belongs to someone else, be it a sole owner or a corporation. Marriott hotels would be my prime example of this business-model; they actually own about half a dozen hotels, but they sell their expertise in RUNNING hotels around the world."Marriott" is a very lucrative name to keep on you hotel's door.
Seems to me, speaking out of my ignorance, that the major difference between a "regular" resort hotel and an AI is the open buffet, the open bar, and the higher price you pay per night (to cover the cost of the open buffet and bar). You can include damn-near anything into the rack rate, as long as you charge enough to meet your expenses and give you a decent profit. "Oxygen Retreat," for example.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but the only true answer I can give you is "Damn if I know."
Cheers,
Westy