Prime Minister Gaston Browne wants his and other Caribbean governments to acquire ownership in hotels. Browne said it is “absolutely critical” that regional governments acquire ownership of hotel properties because the sector today is operating like a plantation industry. He said hoteliers are brutal in their requirements, demanding subsidies and up to 25 years concessions on everything. Brown also said the hoteliers don’t want to any taxes, and that when government’s decide they don’t want to renew tax exemptions to help collect revenue, hoteliers try to hold them hostage.
