News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tues. Dec. 7, 2011: Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, St. Kitts/Nevis Minister of Tourism, Ricky Skerritt, has dubbed the UK Government’s announcement to continue the Air Passenger Duty system there, a “slap in the face for all Caribbean people.”
Skerritt said the move dismisses all of the research and information CTO has provided to the British Government over the past three years, and it contradicts the message sent by the UK Chancellor, George Osborne MP, in March 2011 when he cited the discrepancy between the USA and Caribbean APD rates as one of the reasons for holding a consultation on reform of UK APD.
“The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region of the world and the British Government’s decision totally ignores the negative effect that APD is having on our economies and the Caribbean’s business partners in the UK travel industry,” the CTO chairman said.
In a 27-page document, the British government said that APD rates to Caribbean destinations will continue to be considerably higher than those to some competitor destinations.
Britain confirmed on Tuesday that it would press ahead with plans to raise APD by 8 percent from next April. Travelers to the Caribbean will have to pay £324 if traveling economy class and £648 for premium.
