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Destinations criticise APD move by government

Destinations affected by the new Band C and D categories in Air Passenger Duty have criticised the move.


Caribbean Tourism Organisation marketing director Julia Hendry said the additional charges for Band C plus the move to increase Premium Economy charges would have a detrimental effect on the 1.25 million Brits who visit the region annually.


She added: “The Caribbean is extremely dependent on tourism and anything that will affect that will be of major concern.”


Hendry said the CTO would now work together with ABTA, the Federation of Tour Operators and other organisations to lobby the government in an attempt to change its mind, adding: “This government has made U-turns before, I don’t think the industry can sit back and accept this.”


A Tourism Australia spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on the proposals, which place the destination in Band D.


However, the country’s tourism minister Martin Ferguson has already spoken out, saying: “I am concerned the unilateral action of the UK government to impose a new climate-change tax by another name will heavily penalise Australia and our tourism industry.”


Travel and the Pre-Budget Report


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