THE Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has thrown its support behind Caribbean Community chairman, St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, on the controversial United Kingdom's Air Passenger Duty (APD). 

Anthony has written Britain’s Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne complaining that the tax has detrimental effects on the entire Caribbean.

“The CHTA welcomes the news that Prime Minister Anthony has written to the British chancellor about the negative impact of APD on the Caribbean,” said CHTA President Richard Doumeng in a statement.

“The fact that the prime minister, who is also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community, has written to the UK government on this issue, demonstrates the seriousness with which the Caribbean region takes this issue and the severe impact that the duty is having on the Caribbean,” he added.

Doumeng said APD is “a significant threat” to the sustainability and growth of Caribbean tourism.