Tourism officials urge Caribbean to consider $10 plane ticket tax for marketing

Caribbean tour officials urge $10 plane ticket tax

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is urging the region to consider imposing a $10 tax on plane tickets to help it recover from the economic crisis.

Association president Enrique de Marchena proposes that half the revenues go to help individual nations promote themselves as tourist destinations, with the rest funding a similar regional effort.

De Marchena said Tuesday that disagreement remains over how Caribbean marketing funds should be generated. His comments come several months before the Caribbean Tourism Organization hosts its annual conference on how to attract more visitors after canceling the gathering last year because of the crisis.

About half the region has seen a double-digit drop in visitors.