Earlier this month the Jamaica government announced that effective August 1 this year, each arriving passenger whose trip originated abroad will be required to pay a US $20 fee. Additionally, effective September 1, the government will also introduce an accommodation tax for each occupied hotel room of US $1 per night for properties with less than 51 rooms, US $2 for hotels with 51-100 rooms, while guests at properties with more than 100 rooms will be required to pay a levy US $4 per night.

Meanwhile the Baldwin Spencer administration in Antigua recently passed the Airport Administration Charge Act 2012, under which the country’s overall airport taxes have been increased from US $63.75 to US $93.75, and will be added to passengers’ air fare.