Chin Lee debates cruise-ship tax

Minister of Tourism, Howard Chin Lee, will attend a meeting of Caribbean ministers of tourism which will debate the idea of imposing a tax on cruise-ship visitors. The Tourism Ministry yesterday issued a statement saying he would attend two events hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in New York from May 31 to June 5. He will attend meetings of CTO ministers of tourism and the celebrations of the annual Caribbean Week.

Caribbean Week is a showcase event comprised of a Caribbean Fair, “Do-it-Caribbean weddings,” crafts, special Caribbean vacation offers, music, dance, food and fashion. The statement said: “With an anticipated visitor flow of 12,000, Trinidad and Tobago will be carrying a celebrity chef to highlight our diverse local culinary foods.” Chin Lee will attend a CTO ministerial meeting on June 3. “Several critical tourism policy matters, including the Cricket World Cup 2007 and a cruise ship levy proposal, are on the agenda for discussion.”