... Do not pay property tax – Robinson

OMAR ROBINSON, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), said the increases in property, alcohol and fuel tax would make the Jamaican tourism product less attractive and place the country at a distinct disadvantage to its competitors.

He reasoned that if the Government remained steadfast on levying the taxes on the industry, the country would stand to lose further ground to the likes of Mexico and the Dominican Republic, tourist destinations he said were seen as far cheaper.

“We must take these things into consideration if we are serious about growing tourism, which has the potential to boost the economy, but we must know its value,” Robinson warned at a press conference yesterday at the JHTA’s St Andrew office.

Some hotels, he stated, were being asked to pay upwards of 980 per cent increases in property tax.

“I am appealing to all our members, do not pay this tax until we can have some consultation. We want them to, at least, come and talk to us (about) how they are justifying this increase,” Robinson declared.

Opposition spokesman on tourism Dr. Wykeham McNeill is expressing concern about the impact of the tax measures on the tourism industry.

He said the move betrayed commitments given and would also damage the credibility of the Government, which must rely on partnerships to grow the economy.