Notting Hill Carnival has been used as a platform to show how thousands are priced out of holidays to the Caribbean due to unfair APD rates.
Islands in the Caribbean have seen a 17% drop in visitors and the UK has seen a 32% decrease in visitors from the islands in the last five years due to the tax, it has been said. While the tax is largely criticised in all destinations, the Caribbean has particularly suffered for its banding for a higher level than the USA. A family of four can pay up to £324, or more increases planned for 2013. ABTA has now called for the Caribbean community to get behind A Fair Tax on Flying and email their local MP.
“The Caribbean Tourism Organisation continues to lobby the government against APD and the unfair banding to our region. We deeply regret that after all our efforts so far, we have been unable to achieve more parity with other long haul destinations,” said Carol Hay, director of marketing at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
“It will be great to see so many people enjoying themselves at the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend and getting into the holiday spirit; but many people there will be missing out on seeing their friends and family because they simply cannot afford to travel home this year.”
