The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has expressed concern about the proposed increase in the departure tax following the announcement by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw during the start of the Budget Debate at Gordon House last Thursday.

The organisation in a statement said that “the proposed move from US$20 to US$35 represents a 75 per cent increase” and it has sought urgent dialogue with the Government regarding both the level of the increase and the proposed implementation schedule.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association on (CHTA) on ticket taxes and charges, Jamaica currently has the highest taxes and fees on airline tickets when compared to other islands in the region.

The JHTA said that while it understood what the tax break meant for the many employees in tourism and other sectors of the economy, the Association is insisting that the industry maintains its competitive advantage and that there will be no impediment to its future growth.

The Association said that it is committed to working with the Government to achieve the country’s critical growth agenda and is hopeful that the requested discussions will yield the most viable outcome.