Bartlett: Slim budget won't affect tourism sector

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett on Tuesday said although his ministry will have to contend with a slimmer budget than last year, it would not adversely affect the sector.

The ministry's budget has been reduced by $700 million when compared with last year. At the same time, US$2.4 is set aside to pay for goods and services purchased during the 2010-2011 financial year.

Wykeham McNeill, the opposition spokesman on tourism, reminded Bartlett that as opposition spokesman, he had been critical of the allocations to the budget under the former People's National Party administration.

However, Bartlett countered that the funds were being utilised expeditiously and had yielded positive results. He said this is evident in a 743,000 visitors landing on local shores during the just ended winter season.