Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
BARTLETT
OPPOSITION Spokesman on Tourism, Edmund Bartlett says Government should take on recommendations put forward by the tourism sector on the new tax to be imposed on that sector.
Mr. Bartlett was referring to the tourism tax measures that were presented by Dr. Davies in opening the 2005/2006 Budget Debate on April 14. But Mr. Bartlett insisted that the tax measures needed to be examined before being
implemented in July.
Mr. Bartlett made the comments while making his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday.
WISE PROPOSITION
"It seem a wise proposal (from the tourism sector) because it calls for the elimination of the five per cent cap on gratuities and the removal of 15 per cent limit on commissions and it also call for a reduction in the rate for General Consumption Tax (GCT) but utilising the very 61.4 per cent occupancy," he said.
This he noted could realise in excess of $670 million for the sector. "So, I ask the minister to think very seriously of that proposal and if that proposal is looked at ... it will significantly enhance the competitiveness of our rooms in relation to our neighbours," said Mr. Bartlett.
HIGHER THAN IN US
The tax measures to be
introduced by the government included the capping of commissions at 15 per cent of gross income and gratuities at five per cent of gross income in the tourism sector. Additionally, Dr. Davies had also proposed raising the GCT rate in the sector from 6.25 per cent to 8.25 per cent.
But on Wednesday, Mr. Bartlett argued that the average tourist who visits the island would be forced
to spend US$44 on tax, which represents a US$2 more than the United States.
"This will make it difficult for a family of five who before they come will have to put down US$250 just to pay taxes before they arrive," he said.
Turning to other issues, Mr. Bartlett said that while Jamaica has to some extent been successful in reducing tourism harassment in the resort area, the problem has resurfaced and has been affecting the outturn from cruise ship arrivals.
HARASSMENT AT NEW HIGH
"Three years ago, the Minister (of Tourism) in this House announced that we have broken the back of harassment and I agree because we have done much to reduce harassment in the resort area," he said.
But he noted, "Last year, tourism harassment reached a new high... and the outturn from the cruise ships tells the story."
He also charged that the country's high crime rate was chasing away potential investors.
