Hughes trumpets stimulus for growth of tourism industry

Komal Chand taking the MP’s oath on Monday

Saying that this year’s budget gives an unprecedented stimulus for the growth of the country’s tourism sector, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes yesterday emphasised that the sector has the potential for job-creation, the improvement of the country’s image and to contribute significantly to its gross domestic product.

In her presentation during the continuing parliamentary budget debate, Hughes noted that there is a 25% increase in the proposed allocation for the sector’s Tourism Authority budget and also a commitment to doubling the ministry’s marketing budget over the next five years, which she called a tremendous boost.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Monday last presented the proposed $221 billion budget, under the