Levy on the tourist
published: Wednesday | December 24, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE RECENT proposition made by the Ministry of Tourism to CARICOM to impose US$20 as levy on the tourist at a port of entry on the pier, was a great idea to collect foreign exchange revenues which Jamaica desperately needs. But the Ministry of Tourism dropped the idea as some of the other CARICOM nations went against it as they were predicting it would affect the overall tourism sector.

I have travelled across most of the Caribbean islands, but what Jamaica has to offer in terms of tourist attractions service none of the other islands is close to it. So even if Jamaica alone implements those levy charges on the tourist it won't affect the tourism sector at all. The same revenues collected could be utilised in the different sectors of tourism which would virtually help Jamaica's overall economy.

I am, etc.,

TARUN S. KAARIRA

Lemon Tree,

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