Jamaica’s McNeill: British Air Passenger Duty “Still a Serious Problem”

By: - July 4th, 2013

Above: Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill (JIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The British Air Passenger Duty remains a “serious problem,” although Jamaica has managed to “turn the corner” a bit, according to Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill.

He said efforts to improve Jamaica’s profile in the United Kingdom had seen some success in the early going.

“Where others have been [experiencing] a bit of attrition, we have turned the corner a bit … so we are very encouraged by this,” he said this week. “[But] the APD is still a serious problem.”

The APD taxes flights originating in the United Kingdom. The Caribbean has charged that the way it is calculated disproportionately impacts the region.

For example, flying from London to Hawaii or Los Angeles carries the same amount of tax as flying to Washington, DC, while flying to the Caribbean means a higher rate of tax than any of those flights, despite a shorter distance.

“That’s why the Caribbean has come together and has been lobbying so hard, because it is having an absolute and relative effect,” he said. “

Jamaica

Haiti Marriott Project Receiving $26.5 Million in Financing From IFC

Above: a rendering of the hotel By the Caribbean Journal staff The Marriott hotel project in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince is receiving $26.5 million in financing from the IFC. Turgeau Developments SA, which is sponsored by Digicel, will be receiving the funding for the project. “The Marriott brand is synonymous with high quality hospitality,” said Colm Delves, […]

Jamaica

The Caribbean's Best Walking Beaches

IT’S ONE of our favourite sayings in the Caribbean: “Walk Good.” A great way to say goodbye, take care or safe travels in Jamaica, it also aptly describes one of the best things to do in the Caribbean – to take a good, long walk on the beach. And who doesn’t like that? The Caribbean […]

Jamaica

Richard Branson Helps LIAT Complaint Letter Go Viral

By the Caribbean Journal staff It started out as a simple complaint letter in a local newspaper in the British Virgin Islands, but it soon went viral. Tennis pro Arthur Hicks, writing in the BVI Beacon newspaper, wrote satirically to Caribbean carrier LIAT of how he “particularly enjoyed sampling the security scanners at each and […]

Trinidad and Tobago Assumes Chairmanship of CARICOM

 Above: Port of Spain (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad has assumed the chairmanship of CARICOM from Haiti, following the expiration of the latter’s six-month rotating term. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is now the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and will be presiding over the […]

Courtyard By Marriott Hotel Set to Break Ground in Kingston

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff A Courtyard by Marriott hotel is set to break ground in Jamaica next week, according to Jamaican Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill. The property, which is reportedly being developed by a group of local investors, will be located in Kingston. McNeill revealed the news at the […]

Trinidad Energy Minister Urges Greater Natural Gas Collaboration With Venezuela

 Above: Port of Spain (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad has assumed the chairmanship of CARICOM from Haiti, following the expiration of the latter’s six-month rotating term. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is now the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and will be presiding over the […]

CDB Continues Poverty Alleviation Programme in Guyana

 Above: the launch in Georgetown (Photo: CDB) By the Caribbean Journal staff The Caribbean Development Bank has launched the seventh cycle of its Basic Needs Trust Fund in Guyana. Guyana Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, the country’s representative on the CDB’s Board of Governors, was on hand for the launch in Georgetown. The programme is […]