Tax package counterproductive to tourism sector, JHTA declares
THE JAMAICA Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has added its voice to growing opposition to aspects of the Government’s tax package, with its president, Omar Robinson, describing the plan as counterproductive to the overall growth of the tourism sector.
Speaking at yesterday’s press conference at the JHTA’s Ardenne Road headquarters in St Andrew, Robinson noted that his organisation is against any move by the Government to pool money from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) into the Consolidated Fund.
“The Government is now proposing to integrate the revenue flows from the TEF into the Consolidated Fund, and while we have heard that it will not be used to meet budgetary requirements, it is contrary to the original agreement,” the president noted.
WOULD IMPEDE GROWTH
He charged that this would impede the planned growth of the sector, which would be made worst with other proposed tax measures, such as the imposition of general consumption tax on group health insurance, the increase in property tax, and the special consumption tax increase on alcohol and fuel.
“We are very concerned within the industry and disappointed that as important stakeholders, we were not part of any consultation with the
Government on the proposed changes to the fund, which is to come into effect April 1,” Robinson said.
Adam Stewart, first vice-president of the association, is calling on the Government to remove obstruction
from the tourism sector to allow it to maximise its potential as a job-creating, economic engine.
“We should be having discussions right now. If we are talking about bureaucracy restructuring, about removing hurdles and impediments to
move faster, in any interpretation, at the very least, all this does is put yet another hurdle in the way,” Stewart said.
Several attempts to contact Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett proved futile as he was said to be in a meeting.