The Caribbean will have to continue to endure a reduction in visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom in the face of continued official resistance to the removal of the controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD) on airline tickets.

The official position of the British Government now appears to be that while it is not unsympathetic to the Caribbean’s position that the new tax of airline tickets for travellers to the region could significantly cut visitor arrivals, taxes like the APD have now assumed considerable importance in helping to address Britain’s budget shortfall. More than that the British government has already sent a clear signal that the APD to all destinations…..