STATEMENT BY THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION ON NEW CHANGES IN THE BRITISH AIR PASSENGER DUTY (APD)
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) welcomes today’s announcement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, of further changes to the Air Passenger Duty (APD) from next May.
The Chancellor has announced in his December 3rd Autumn Statement the abolition of APD for children under the age of 12 from next May, one month after the current four-tier APD system is simplified into two bands, reducing APD on fares to the Caribbean and other long-haul destinations to the same rate as to the US. The tax will be abolished for all children under 16 in 2016.
This tax break saves a family of four flying to the Caribbean £142.
CTO Chairman, Hon. Richard Sealy, the Minister of Tourism and International Transport for Barbados, said:
“The CTO welcomes today’s announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This reduces the burden on families travelling to the Caribbean, as it will make flying a bit more affordable. These adjustments will come just before summer 2015 and linked to the re-banding exercise which takes effect from April will impact positively on arrivals from the United Kingdom. The CTO would like to thank everyone including our industry partners who continue to advocate in favour of more affordable flights to the Caribbean by the lowering of the APD. “
The APD has risen by up to 160 per cent since it was introduced twenty years ago and six times in the last six years.
About the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.
Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology.
In addition the CTO, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, jointly and equally owns the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, a marketing and business development entity dedicated to promoting the Caribbean brand worldwide.
The CTO’s Headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail:CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.
The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., Suite 3302, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail:CTOny@caribtourism.com;
The CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail:CTOlondon@caribtourism.com;
For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization please visit www.OneCaribbean.org.
Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism.
Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanTourismOrganization.
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