GOVERNMENTS in the region have practically killed the tourism industry.
This charge comes from CEO and director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Alec Sanguinetti.
Addressing members of the media last week at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) at Iberostar Hotel and Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Sanguinetti lamented: “We have repeatedly said that Government must not kill the golden goose, but the goose is already half dead. There is not much more to kill.
“We (the industry) have become the bullseye for taxation by governments.”
Sanguinetti, who has repeatedly asked governments not to further tax the sector, said taxation was making the industry unprofitable. Tourism accounts for 12.8 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He noted that the lack of airlift was still a significant concern, and added: “We are recovering from the unstable global crisis and tourism must be given key, top priority.”
The CHTA head said apart from airlift, security, capital and regional integration “are vital to investment in the region”.
CHTA president Josef Forstmayr said Caribbean hoteliers were pleased with China’s investment in the industry.
“We are excited about the Chinese investment. China must continue to expand their surpluses in the international arena,” Forstmayr stated.
He added that many of the developments already in the pipeline were stopped, but there was some measure of resurgence and refinancing of some projects. (CH)
