The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) is urging Government to act on alternative proposals to its $10 a day car rental levy put forward by the association, before the October 1 starting date for its imposition.
The levy, contained in Government’s 20252026 Budget, originally due to take effect on July 1, was subsequently pushed down to October 1. However, BHTA chairman Javon Griffith told the association’s third quarterly meeting at Hayman’s Market on Friday, the proposed tax “threatens to price visitors out of car rentals, especially long-stay guests”.
He contended the levy would have “a ripple effect” since fewer cars rented would mean fewer visitors exploring Barbados’ restaurants, attractions and communities.
“The impact does not stop at the rental desk, it cascades through the economy,” Griffith warned.
The BHTA chairman revealed that the organisation had not only raised its concerns, but had also tabled three suggestions for Government’s consideration, to which there had so far been no response.
The first suggestion was to replace the daily charge with a single flat fee per contract; the second, to reduce the tax to BDS$5 per day, and the third, to exempt long-stay visitors to the island.
Griffith insisted the BHTA’s suggestions were “practical, balanced alternatives’ that met environmental goals without damaging Barbados’ competitiveness as a tourism destination”.
Giving an update on tourism performance, he reported Barbados recorded 427 514 stayover arrivals for the first seven months of 2025, a 1.3 per cent “dip”, compared to the same period in 2024, though the United States market showed growth with an increase of 14 707 arrivals.
Cruise tourism also grew, with 587 614 cruise passengers disembarking at the Bridgetown Port between January and April 2025.
However, with regard to airlift, Griffith said while Barbados had achieved “encouraging gains” in
air connectivity with new routes, expanded services and stronger access to the island, connectivity on its own was not enough.
“The real task is to convert that access into consistent, sustainable growth across all our source markets,” Griffith said, going on to suggest Barbados “must double down on aggressive marketing; forge stronger partnerships with airlines and invest boldly in new tourism products that keep Barbados competitive on the world stage.”
The BHTA chairman also reported the organisation had “intensified its collaboration with the Barbados Police Service”, while monitoring concerns about safety and working with national partners, to safeguard the island’s reputation for security.
This was shared with the membership against the background of a travel advisory issued by the UK earlier this year, encouraging UK travellers to exercise additional caution following reports of violence and carjackings.
Griffith noted however, that there was no recorded decline in forward bookings from the UK as of August 2025. ( GC)
The post BHTA: Alternatives to car rental levy appeared first on nationnews.com.
