Are we going to use PADI or IDD? please some advice

[Hooked Cabarete]

We have a small scaled hotel in the Dominican Republic for surfers, kitesurfers and active people. We are planning to offer diving trips and courses through one of the diving schools close-by in Sosua.

Now is the question which school are we going to use.
There are two options.
- One is working together with Padi and the staff is a lot of fun, also they are really professional and safety first. An open water course will cost US 360.-
- The second school is a little less professional but work also with good teachers. They offer IDD and the course will cost US 275.- The whole atmosphere is a little less fun then at the first school.

What do you guys think.
As a beginner; are you going for the cheaper priced IDD? Or do you prefer the PADI who is a little higher priced, but get's maybe more recognition globaly?

Thanks for the advice.

Ybo

 

[El Orans]

Recognition doesn't really matter that much.

I have 5 or 6 IDD certs and they're accepted anywhere I've gone.

What you want to know is what is the quality of their instructors?

 

[Thalassus]

Disclaimer: I am a PADI instructor.

That aside, you say yourself that one option is with a particular staff that is more professional and more fun. To echo El Orans, I don't think it has anything to do with recognition; you want the experience that is going to be more meaningful to your guests. You want to make sure they tell their friends about your hotel, correct? Maximizing the enjoyment factor will pay off far more in the future than any short-term savings you may get.

 

[Damselfish]

more professional and more fun, sounds like a no brainer to me.

recognition may depend on what country your guests are coming from.

 

[robint]

more professional and more fun, sounds like a no brainer to me.

recognition may depend on what country your guests are coming from.

ditto, more profession & more fun ---- means the new diver will be more inclined to stay with diving.