Letter of the Day - Tourism deserves a Commission of Enquiry THE EDITOR, Sir: THE RECENT terrorist attacks in the United States of America have once again highlighted the vulnerability of our tourism sector. A serious analysis is now imperative if tourism is going to remain an important pillar of our economy. At a glance, it would seem that this is an extremely risky business or is this really so? How can an entire industry be seeking a bailout merely three weeks after that horrific incident? Do we not have a retained earnings account on our balance sheets into which a percentage of profits is deposited? If the answer is yes, then how could it all evaporate in only three weeks? If the answer is no, then where have all the profits over the years gone? The average resident of St. Elizabeth still has a vivid recollection of events only a few years ago when the government responded to the appeals for help from small hoteliers and when a package of assistance was offered to them there were no takers, simply because these hoteliers refused to open their books. Well, are we going to have repeat performances now? In all fairness, most well thinking Jamaicans understand the importance of the tourism to the country, what they cannot comprehend is the fact that despite its preferred status, tax holidays, duty-free imports, room grants etc., it is doubtful that the sector will ever stand on its own feet, something is wrong. Let us have a commission of enquiry into the tourism sector and only then will the Jamaican public get all the facts. I am, etc., A.W. FRECKLETON Mandeville
|
