Main Income Must Be from Tourism, Says Symmonds

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds has emphasized that to qualify for tourism-related concessions, businesses must derive the majority of their income directly from tourism activities.

 

Addressing the House of Assembly during the debate on the Tourist Accommodation Bill, 2025, Symmonds responded to Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne's suggestion that concessions should extend to more Barbadians, including rum shop operators, as community tourism gains traction.

 

Symmonds clarified, "You can only benefit from concessions in tourism if the majority of the money that you are making is as a direct result of tourism offerings." He questioned the applicability to rum shops, noting that they primarily serve local patrons, with tourist visits being incidental.

 

He further explained that extending concessions indiscriminately could lead to a slippery slope where supermarkets and gas stations might claim eligibility, diluting the purpose of targeted tourism incentives.

 

Highlighting the government's commitment to supporting community tourism, Symmonds pointed out initiatives since 2018 aimed at assisting operators on platforms like Airbnb. These measures include raising the land tax threshold and facilitating easier access to mortgages for property owners.

 

Emphasizing the need for improved standards, Symmonds stated that the Tourist Accommodation Bill seeks to establish licensing, classification, and regulation of tourist accommodations to enhance competitiveness.

 

"We have to come to the point where we have a standards economy," he asserted, underscoring the importance of world-class standards across all sectors to elevate business acumen and expand services beyond Barbados.

 

Symmonds also highlighted the necessity for economic diversification, noting the region's vulnerability due to heavy reliance on tourism, especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the urgent need to develop other sectors to bolster the economy.

 

In conclusion, while the government aims to spread tourism benefits to all Barbadians, concessions will remain reserved for those whose primary income stems directly from tourism, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of these incentives.