CASTRIES, St Lucia – Former president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Berthia Parle says regional governments should be blamed for their slow and tardy response in lobbying the United Kingdom the increase in the controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD).
In a 26-page document published earlier this month, London said APD rates to Caribbean destinations will continue to be considerably higher than those to some competitor destinations.
The detailed tax tables published to coincide with the Chancellor’s statement show that the tax on economy long-haul flights of more than 6,000 miles will rise from £85 (US$132) to £92 (US$143) per person.
The new measure goes into effect in April next year.
Parle said as a result of the UK government’s failure to heed the cries of Caribbean countries for a tax break, St. Lucia and the rest of the sub-region, including Barbados, must now brace for lower British visitors.
Parle said she was convinced that Caribbean governments are to be blamed as they acted too slowly in lobbying the UK on the issue even though she is still hoping that common sense will prevail as the UK remains a vital source market for the Eastern Caribbean.
“At this point in time it seems like a fait accompli, but somehow I still don’t believe they will impose the tax. We recognize the need for countries to impose taxes for infrastructure, education, and social programmes.
“But our main point is that the Caribbean is being unfairly treated. For example if you leave London to go to Honolulu, a distance of 7200 miles you pay US$104 in APD, but from London to Barbados which is 4,000 miles the charge is US$130 APD, so this region is being treated unfairly,” she said.
Earlier this month, St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism and International Transport Minister Richard Skerritt urged Caribbean countries to send a strong message to the United Kingdom on the air passenger duty (APD) tax when regional governments attend the United Kingdom-Caribbean Forum in Grenada early next year.
Skerritt, who is also the Chairman of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), accused London of continuing its discrimination against the Caribbean in relation to the banding aspect of the APD.
Parle said it is clear that Caribbean leaders were too slow in reacting to the threat, noting that while some took the issue seriously others were laid back.
“We had the Prime Ministers of Jamaica, Barbados, and the Bahamas and their High Commissions in London, the Tourism Minister of St. Kitts… and St. Lucia’s former tourism minister among those screaming and shouting at the APD, but not everybody was on board….” she said. (CMC)
