But many islanders complain they are not benefitting from the new revenue streams.
“We depend on Venezuelan tourists because Russian tourists don’t spend a thing,” said Demetria, a masseuse who has been offering treatments on the beach for 16 years.
Peter, a 44-year-old Russian IT specialist who was on his first visit to Venezuela this year, said he was surprised to find hotels, shops and restaurants abandoned.
“It’s as if they were built for 10 times more tourists,” he said.
In the low-income neighbourhood of Las Maritas, Crismar Lopez uses two candles and her cellphone flashlight to illuminate the kitchen where she makes hot dogs to sell on the street for US$1.50 (RM6.60) a pair.
The recent power cuts put Lopez and her husband out of business for two weeks because they could not refrigerate food.
But the 47-year-old mother of three says she is used to muddling through.
“Venezuelans are masters in the art of coping,” she said. – AFP
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=676401e2d6fd44c79a7e5776b2603c9d&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com.my%2Flifestyle%2Ftravel%2F2024%2F12%2F18%2Fvenezuelas-margarita-island-now-a-ghost-town-due-to-falling-economy&c=10503534723975071919&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-12-17 13:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
