Online feedback

Below are edited excerpts from comments posted online at www.jamaica-gleaner.com from readers reacting to yesterday's lead story 'Liquor tax licks hotels'.

Bureaucratic bumbling

Simply another manifestation of bureaucratic bumbling. Painting itself into a corner from decades of mismanagement, this Government now searches for ways to pay its bills and balance its budget. But, as usual, the methodology employed is "hit and run," a sort of economic guerrilla warfare lacking a well-thought-out plan and implementation process.

Neighbouring tourist meccas like St Martin/San Maarten will rush in to pick up the slack, being well-positioned to do so. A friend lately remarked that he walked out of a Chinese restaurant in Kingston when he realised that although the prices were two and three times those he experienced in Florida, New York, San Francisco and London, the meals came with a whopping 17.5 per cent GCT and a five per cent service charge. He got up from the table and walked out. That's right, walked out! Let's continue our madcap race to see how fast we can price out of the market. Bravo!

- Jumpy1

Broaden the concerns

I think one of the problems I have with Wayne Cummings is that I view him as merely a mouthpiece for the big players in the tourism sector. I have not detected from his many lamentations a holistic advocacy for the sector.

The impression given is that the Government should protect some in the industry at all costs. Wouldn't it be a more powerful message to include the farmers, furniture makers, upholstery, clothing manufacturers, etc? You cannot be making a lot of noise in a country so divided by the haves and the 'have-nots' without considering the plight of the wider community other than those serve the hotel guests.

- Joan

Why are they crying?

The hotel industry has been a cash cow for the owners and they operate with impunity. The estimated tax from their calculation is US$20 million and they are crying. How much is the costs of policing, fire services, and yes, the fire boat in western Jamaica that is needed for their use?

- THEDEKJ