Tweet
Good work, 'Butch' Stewart tells Bartlett
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart was full of praise for Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, seen here (centre) with Director of Tourism John Lynch (fourth left) and other members of the travel industry who were in the United Kingdom (UK) recently to show their support for the lobby against the increased Air Passenger Duty (APD) proposed by the British Government.
Minister Bartlett later attended the Caribbean Council's Annual Parliamentary Reception at the House of Lords where he was a guest speaker. In his speech, he drew attention to the negative impact the APD would have on the Caribbean region and urged a fairer system to be implemented. Stewart said in a letter to the editor that Bartlett must be highly commended for his initiative. He said that the UK Government planned to introduce the "most draconian changes" to the exit tax or Air Passenger Duty for their nationals holidaying abroad. In their case, those visiting the Caribbean will have to pay a higher tax than those visiting a United States destination like Florida. "This may not sound like a major impediment, but travellers view taxes like they do a rainy day at the beach. "This new tax will have a terrible effect on Jamaica's tourism as it comes on top of other taxes and in the middle of what is shaping up to be the worst global recession of our time.
The US has an enormous tourism product so the preferential treatment regarding the tax will strengthen the already significant advantage over this region," said Stewart.
"Minister Bartlett seized an important opportunity and presented a strong case for Jamaica and the Caribbean to the British Parliament. He did this along with Minister Allen Chastanet of St Lucia and both gentlemen are to be lauded for their effort. It is so refreshing to see tourism ministers proactively addressing the business of tourism; going to the far ends of the World to develop and promote this most critical industry," said Stewart.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart was full of praise for Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, seen here (centre) with Director of Tourism John Lynch (fourth left) and other members of the travel industry who were in the United Kingdom (UK) recently to show their support for the lobby against the increased Air Passenger Duty (APD) proposed by the British Government.
Minister Bartlett later attended the Caribbean Council's Annual Parliamentary Reception at the House of Lords where he was a guest speaker. In his speech, he drew attention to the negative impact the APD would have on the Caribbean region and urged a fairer system to be implemented. Stewart said in a letter to the editor that Bartlett must be highly commended for his initiative. He said that the UK Government planned to introduce the "most draconian changes" to the exit tax or Air Passenger Duty for their nationals holidaying abroad. In their case, those visiting the Caribbean will have to pay a higher tax than those visiting a United States destination like Florida. "This may not sound like a major impediment, but travellers view taxes like they do a rainy day at the beach. "This new tax will have a terrible effect on Jamaica's tourism as it comes on top of other taxes and in the middle of what is shaping up to be the worst global recession of our time.
The US has an enormous tourism product so the preferential treatment regarding the tax will strengthen the already significant advantage over this region," said Stewart.
"Minister Bartlett seized an important opportunity and presented a strong case for Jamaica and the Caribbean to the British Parliament. He did this along with Minister Allen Chastanet of St Lucia and both gentlemen are to be lauded for their effort. It is so refreshing to see tourism ministers proactively addressing the business of tourism; going to the far ends of the World to develop and promote this most critical industry," said Stewart.