The Ministry of Industry, Economy and Trade (MEIC) requested the businessman Gustavo Araya, general manager of the Whyndham Herradura Hotel to cease a promotion for Mother’s Day. This establishment offered a discount of 10% in a gastronomic festival celebrated on August 15th to all clients that arrived in Uber.
However, the big surprise came on Thursday. Araya received the notification from the MEIC, where he was warned that the promotion should cease immediately. Otherwise, the employer would be exposed to an economic fine that reaches up to 40 base salaries.
With much irony, Araya criticized the notification, as he has been one of the strongest voices for the country to regulate the application Airbnb that manages accommodation services for tourists. In his eyes, the debate is very similar to one posed by Uber.
Through a regulation published on August 10th in La Gaceta, President Luis Guillermo Solís ordered five institutions to monitor, review and punish those who provide illegal transportation services, including Uber.
According to Article 4 of this regulation, MEIC will be responsible for carrying out legal actions related to promotions and offers on illegal services of remunerated transportation promoting different companies within the territory.
I demand they [also] act [against Airbnb] tomorrow. They are showing they favor one sector,”
said Araya, who added he will not give up future campaigns and will go to court to assert all his rights under the freedom of trade.