Jamaica Minister ‘Hopeful’ over APD Changes

Jamaica Minister ‘Hopeful’ over APD Changes
By Rob Gill

Jamaica’s tourism minister Edmund Bartlett is “hopeful” that the banding for Air Passenger Duty could be changed at next month’s UK budget. Bartlett, speaking in London, said he welcomed comments from Justine Greening, the coalition government’s economic secretary to the Treasury, who acknowledged the strong ties “that exist between the UK and the Caribbean countries”.

Jamaica, alongside other Caribbean destinations which have been hit hard by the increase in APD, are lobbying for a new two-band system for the tax instead of the current four bands. The Caribbean Tourism Organization is hoping that the government will announce a revamped system in the budget on March 23.

Bartlett said: “The UK government said that it will consult on any major changes to APD. It is my hope that on March 23 a change to the current structure is proposed and that all interested parties will then have the opportunity to consult on the proposed changes. It would be great to see a revised system that affords fair treatment to all countries, implemented as soon as possible. Jamaica’s government will be looking closely at the UK’s response in respect to the Caribbean”.