Overtaxing visitors
published: Monday | March 29, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM a Jamaican who happens to work in the airline industry; so, I'm able to frequent Ja on a regular basis. I'm disturbed about the escalating taxes one has to pay on leaving the island. A co-worker of mine visits his country, Santiago, Chile, and he only pays $80.00 for his family of four, which includes U.S. taxes. However, my wife and I paid over $100.00 (deducted from my pay cheque) upon leaving Ja.

Modernising the airport is a good idea, but putting the burden on the visitors to the island by charging outrageous taxes is being "penny wise and pound foolish." Normally I would never conceive of visiting another island, but I now may have to think twice.

American consumers are very price-conscious (thanks to the Internet), especially in this uncertain time. Choosing Ja over another island could be the difference in the taxes Jamaica charges.

I am, etc.,

ORAL BARR

thebarrclan@aol.com

Laurel, MD

Via Go-Jamaica