WESTERN BUREAU:
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Horace Peterkin, is urging the industry, particularly operators of small properties, to take advantage of government's import duty incentive programme for those affected by Hurricane Wilma.
Cabinet has granted approval for short-term incentives for recovery to the accommodation and attraction sub-sectors in the form of a relief from import duties and general consumption tax payable on imports and local purchases for the refurbishing of their facilities due to the hurricane through the Short-Term Incentive Package (STIP) III.
"I think it is very useful initiative and especially the small properties can use the assistance to repair and replace items damaged during the hurricane," Mr. Peterkin told The Wednesday Business.
"It will be in the form of GCT (General Consumption Tax) and duty from imported items. The only problem is that the window for the incentive is too short."
According to the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the package is limited to to the schedule of benefits under the Hotel Incentive Act, Resort Cottage Incentive Act and the Attractions Incentive Programme. Properties already enjoying benefits under the existing incentive programmes will not be eligible for benefits under STIP III.
ONE-MONTH TIME FRAME
Applications are to be submitted by November 30 and benefits will be accessed by January 31, 2006.
"The time frame for submissions of applications is approximately one month and access to benefits over a two-month period, a total time frame of three months," Mr. Peterkin said.
Application forms are available at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, JHTA, Tourism Product Development Company, Jamaica Tourist Board, the Association of Jamaica Attractions and Jamaica Apartments and Villas Associations offices.
