Gov’t and opposition trade words over Tourism Development Amendment Bill 2024

There was robust debate in the House of Assembly as lawmakers weighed in on the Tourism Development Amendment Bill 2024 that was passed on Tuesday evening.

The bill proposes extending concessions for the renovation and furnishing of villas, a measure the government defended as necessary for tourism growth but which drew sharp criticism from the opposition leader who questioned its fairness.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill championed the bill, arguing that it builds on the success of the original Tourism Development Act passed in 2002.

“This act, as I indicated not so long ago, has supported in large measure the growth of the domestic tourism product,” he said. Highlighting recent achievements, he added, “We are seeing what could best be described as an opportunity for robust tourism growth in the country.”

The St Michael West Central MP pointed to increasing airlift capacity as a key driver, noting, “Delta from Atlanta on daily services into Barbados will bring a capacity of 29,920 new seats . . . American Airlines’ flights will add another 34 572 seats.”

The minister also highlighted significant investments made in the tourism sector, stating, “Since 2019, there has been an investment of over $575 million. That, in large measure, speaks not only to the confidence of the investment but also to the quality of investments that we’re attracting in Barbados.” He emphasised that the amendment would enable broader growth by ensuring the tourism product remains competitive.

However, Democratic Labour Party Leader Ralph Thorne criticised the government for prioritising incentives for villa owners over supporting struggling sectors like the fishing industry.

“This legislation today is speaking to those of great wealth,” he declared.

The Christ Church South MP described the bill as catering to the wealthy, adding, “Stripped of its niceties and its glamour, the public will be told by me certainly that this amendment this afternoon intends and it will benefit those who have much.”

Thorne contrasted the government’s support for affluent villa owners with what he described as inadequate assistance to fisherfolk.

“These people are down there trying to furnish their lives with some dignity,” he said, lamenting, “poor people.”

Leader of Government Business, St Michael South East MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Santia Bradshaw, rejected Thorne’s position, asserting that the government has worked to support various sectors, including fisheries.

“The same people who own the villas are the same people who are going to benefit from the near $3 million that we have just injected into the fishing industry,” she said.

Bradshaw, who is also senior minister and Minister of Transport and Works, further defended the government’s approach, emphasising, “We are seeking by this particular introduction of this legislation to facilitate the renovation of villas in this country and to create incentives so that the same tourism sector, which will no doubt benefit from the fishing industry, is able to be supported as well.”

Thorne fired back questioning the government’s priorities.

“The same government that denies the vendor any assistance is the same government that is granting generous assistance to a multimillionaire who owns a villa,” he said.

He further called for greater attention to grassroots tourism initiatives, sharing an observation from his constituency. “I saw what could have been . . . fifteen, twenty tourists in a village. What better expression of community tourism than that?”

Bradshaw responded sharply, accusing Thorne of misleading the House.

She detailed government efforts to restore the fishing industry, adding, “This administration has spent over $3 million to assist many persons who themselves, in some cases, did not have insurance.”

The opposition leader countered with a critique of stalled tourism projects such as Almond Beach and Four Seasons, urging the government to account for their status.

“If we are building out tourism capacity, we also need to ensure that we have not only hotels and luxury villas open in Barbados but also a plan for these incomplete projects,” he said.

Thorne also criticised what he described as inadequate upgrades to key tourism-related sites, such as Oistins, stating, “You cannot find three people in Barbados who believe that $5 million was spent at Oistins.”

Bradshaw however hit back, accusing the opposition of politicising the issue.

“It is not fair for the leader of the opposition to create confusion in the public domain,” she said, “to suggest that this administration has no appreciation for the fishing sector.”

 (RG)

Ryan Gilkes

Ryan Gilkes is a freelance journalist with experience covering news and current affairs.