Meeting to push for rethink APD

Jamaica is to intensify its opposition to plans by the British Government to increase the Airline Passenger Duty (APD).

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett will be among six CARICOM Tourism Ministers and delegates from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who will be meeting in London next week to discuss changes to the tax regime.

The group is expected to meet with British government officials, members of the British Air Transport Association and tour operators and the British Caribbean All Party Parliamentary Group.

The meeting will take place eight weeks before the APD is increased from £50 to £75 per person for economy class seats and £100 to £150 in business and first class.

Jamaica and other members of CARICOM have argued that the tax is unfair and could result in reduced travel to the region.