The 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) is making the local tourist industry non-competitive with other countries that offer a similar product, such as Brazil, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Renata Chuck-a-Sang has said.
Speaking at the association’s 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Le Meridien Pegasus on Tuesday evening, Chuck-a-Sang said the issue of VAT continued to be a sore point for the industry and the rate made the sector uncompetitive with countries that offered a similar product. “We are therefore insisting that the issue of VAT as it relates to the tourism industry be given serious reconsideration by the government,” she declared.
In her address to the small gathering preceding the business session of the AGM, Chuck-a-Sang said last year was one of the most challenging years for the association. She noted that crime continued to affect the sector adversely, declaring that the issue was “overinflated” by the media. She accused the media of burying the “good stories” and asked that they take cognizance of this issue.
Looking forward, she said that the calendar of events needed to be re-examined and challenged THAG’s members to implement industry standards and practices. She commended the government for bringing events that have raised the country’s profile such as the Cricket World Cup and the Rio Summit.
The AGM also saw the election of the executive committee for this year. Meantime, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony painted a vivid picture for the gathering as what to expect when the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) came to the country in August. He said there has been a very good response to invitations issued and 1,352 persons representing 23 delegations have already been confirmed.
In this light, he expressed concern about the issue of accommodation. “I think we will have a problem with accommodation,” he said, adding that so far 52 hotels have been accredited. While conceding that the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) programme had not worked out well for Cricket World Cup last year, he asserted “I think that we will have to go back to B&B”.
The minister pointed out that chapters have been established in the Diaspora and from the New York chapter a 350-strong delegation was expected. Expressing optimism, he said that the issue of accommodation was being looked at “because that is going to be very challenging”. He revealed that a number of facilities were already fully booked.
The minister also said that another challenge would be flights and stated that charters might have to be arranged. He noted that another hurdle would be the language barrier and stressed the need for translators for some delegations.
In outlining what could be expected for the festival, Anthony said neighbouring countries were sending large delegations and “participation-wise it is going to be a fabulous festival”. He emphasized that several super-concerts featuring top regional artistes would be held and these would be free. He said food, fashion and a full spectrum of events representing all the different strata of culture would be featured and the intellectual side would not be left out. He noted too that events would be taken to different regions of Guyana.
The minister also took the opportunity to issue a call for persons with knowledge of different languages and those who would like to provide transportation during the festival to visit the ministry. Regarding security, he said special arrangements would be in place. For the ease of the delegations, he said that a special system would be in place at the airport to expedite their processing through immigration.
“We think we are up to the challenge but we would also require your help,” he informed the gathering.
