10-point plan for tourism

Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy has outlined a ten-point plan for tourism in Barbados.
At a press conference this evening at Government Headquarters, Sealy said the plan was to help the industry which has been under pressure in recent times.
Some of the initiatives he outlined included a 50 per cent land tax rebate for hotels and a five per cent rebate on electricity bills  providing companies have a solid energy saving plan in place. Sealy noted this rebate will be ongoing for those entities which have invested in an energy saving plan. For those who have not, the rebate will end after 12 months.
He said this should be seen as an incentive to companies to invest in this area.
Sealy said a similar five per cent rebate will be on water bills for those companies with a water management programme in place. Again, the rebate, he outlined will be ongoing for those making investments in water management, while for those who do not make the investment, the rebate ends after 12 months.
The minister told the media that he expects these initiatives will bring some savings and make the Barbados’ tourism sector more competitive.
Sealy said they would also be strengthening the events-based aspect of tourism, noting that this “works for Barbados as a destination”.
For example, he said Government would continue to work with Crop Over and the Barbados Food Wine and Rum Festival. (CM)