Peterkin wants legislation to protect tourism sector
June 13, 2006
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), has called on Tourism Minister Aloun Ndombet-Assamba to lobby government to enact legislation for the tourism industry to become an export industry. Peterkin said the tourism industry was an export industry which should not be taxed on its revenues, but "on its profits".
Peterkin commented that Finance Minister Omar Davies, during the recent People's National Party (PNP) presidential campaign, had already declared that the tourism industry was essentially an export industry.
"The finance minister publicly declared that the tourism industry is the biggest export in Jamaica, during his recent campaign to become party leader and ultimately prime minister of Jamaica. We are taking him at his word and will be vigorously pursuing the Government to pass the laws to this effect," said Peterkin.
"Now that finance minister has cleared the way, I know that we can call on our beloved minister of tourism to help us carry the fight. I mean to say to fast-track the process."
Peterkin was delivering an address Saturday at the JHTA 45th annual general meeting and convention at Half Moon, Rose Hall....
Author: Horace Hines
Source: Jamaica Observer
