2024-05-09 21:08:11
04:06 PM
An invoice issued by a restaurant located in Parque Lleras was published, detailing how in that sector there are establishments that charge up to $1,200,000 for a meat cut, $90,000 for a hamburger And again $160,000 for an arepa, reawakening debate about the accelerated increase i living expenses in the capital of Antiquia.
Although the owner of the restaurant in question, identified as Medellín Charges 160,000 Pesos for an Arepa Gratin”>Hookah, stood by the criticism in the middle of the controversy and insisted that it was never a scam as it happened in cities like Cartagena, the episode was strongly criticized by many of citizens.
In context: It’s not like mojarra was in Cartagena: in El Poblado they charged $160,000 for an arepa au gratin
“We handle products that cost from $22,000, such as pasta and other products. But with many of the products, for example the snack, which costs $720,000, for eight, in many cases they have a lot to give away because of its size,” said Alejandro Cristalino, manager in charge the restaurant.
Hours ago, the leader of the Irish League Asobars in Antioquia, Juan Pablo Valenzuelaalso clarified that, unlike cases that occurred in other tourist destinations, where the lack of knowledge of the visitors is taken advantage of to charge inflated prices irregularly, what happened in Lleras has more to do with the behavior of the supply and demand.
“What we have been able to find out from the union is that this is due to supply and demand activity. We understand that the establishment offers its services to foreigners and they are willing to verify if there are any irregularities in the account,” Valenzuela said then.
Continue reading: Police officers even got bitten in the middle of a fight with women in Lleras Park
And indeed, as can be read in the menu of that establishment, customers can find products such as patacón au gratin It could be worth $160,000. pizza between $100,000 and $150,000 or thereabouts BBQ pork ribs $150,000
Although it would be impossible to maintain a price range similar to the Hookah menu elsewhere in Medellín, the truth is that the situation is similar to many other establishments located in El Poblado.
For example, in steakhouses, reductions such as Tamach They can cost from $495,000, which Porter’s House $365,500 per fillet Cow boy $405,500.
In restaurants of international recognition, also located in El Poblado, it is possible to pay for a tasting menu from $487,000which can be combined with a wine pairing even up to An additional $330,000.
All these values, unimaginable for millions of citizens who, with just one of those dishes, can pay their utility bills, buy groceries for a fortnight or a month, or even pay a rental fee.
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When asked about this phenomenon, the economist Carlos Sepúlveda, professor and researcher at the Universidad del Rosario, explains that in the case of Medellín the explanation of the issue first starts from the important importance. flow of foreign tourists which the city has in recent years, which gives a increase in demand for products and servicessubsequently generating a price increase.
In view of this situation, Sepúlveda points out that the markets can be segmented in some cases, which leads to the targeting of additional fees to visitors, but it is the most common in many cases. a chain reaction is generated.
“In some cases there may be market segmentation (extra charge for foreigners), especially in direct sales (gagling). In other cases it affects the market in general, as in formal restaurants, where the division is not possible”, said the Professor.
According to figures from the Hotel and Tourism Association of Colombia, by 2022 alone, Medellín would have registered a record number of 1.4 million visitors, most of them coming from the United States and Central America.
This is a chain reaction, resumes the teacher, usually happens gradually, first in establishments like restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues and short-term rentalsbut then it begins to be felt in other linked economic sectors.
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This situation explains, among many other variables, for example, as of last February, Medellín was one of the cities with the largest annual increases in the cost of living in the country, and it was surpassed only by other cities on Caribbean coast.
Although the city suffered a monthly slowdown in inflation since April of this year, being the second city in Colombia where the cost of living increased the least, the annual change, which is around 7.41%, continues. to be above the national average.
Likewise, according to figures from last February, the Dane showed that the categories in which there was the greatest inflation in Medellín were alcoholic beverages and tobacco (13.8%), transport (13.02%), restaurants and hotels (12.76% ). education (12.6%), health (11.04%) and public services (10.68%).
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