People's National Party (PNP) pledges tax breaks for small hoteliers

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Monday | August 13, 2007

The People's National Party (PNP) is promising special tax incentives for small players in the tourist industry if it forms the next administration.

In its 2007 manifesto, launched on Thursday, the PNP proposed that it would amend the relevant regulations to provide tax incentives for owners of small hotels and properties who carry out refurbishing works to improve their product offerings.

Minister of Tourism, Aloun Assamba, told The Gleaner Thursday that a small committee, comprising members of the private sector and representatives from the ministries of Tourism and Finance, has already prepared a Cabinet submission that is awaiting approval.

Assamba said the PNP would introduce the tax incentive for small property owners early in the new term of government.

"I have even identified the funding through the Tourism Enhancement Fund that would be made available to them once we have gotten that package," she added.

Meanwhile, the PNP is proposing that it will establish a new hotel academy to broaden the range of training for workers. According to the manifesto, this will allow workers to take advantage of job opportunities within CARICOM.