Jamaica government approves tax increases in tourism sector
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Tourists travelling to Jamaica this year can expect to pay a bit more for their trip.
The government has announced several tax increases in the tourism sector to generate revenue and help the Caribbean island emerge from an economic crisis.
Finance Minister Peter Phillips says all arriving tourists will be required to pay a $20 entrance fee starting in August. He says those staying in hotels will pay as much as $4 a night extra under a new accommodation tax that goes into effect in September.
A government statement issued Friday says the new hotel tax is significantly lower than the one previously announced, under which some customers would have paid an additional $12 a night.
