![Image: Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, Brian Louisy. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]](https://thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Chamber-of-Commerces-Executive-Director-Brian-Louisy-mid.jpg)
THE Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture appears to be concerned about the distribution of wealth in the vital tourism sector.
Writing in this month’s edition of ED’s Perspective, the Executive Director of the Chamber, Brian Louisy, observed that the local tourism industry continues to perform “remarkably well” with arrival numbers growing by 10 percent.
However, Louisy asserted that the challenge which the country now faces appears to be the distribution of the wealth from the lead sector.
“Continued focus on tourism arrivals without commensurate attention to who the beneficiaries are, beyond at the employee level, will become problematic, if it is not already so,” he noted.
“Clearly, attention on greater participation and benefits of the wider society in the spoils of high visitor arrivals is worth looking at,” the Chamber Executive Director wrote.
Louisy said this was especially so, considering the predominance of tax concessions as an incentive which appears to be only accessible to the accommodation sector and for foreign direct investment.
“Vertical integration within the sector with incestuous purchasing and selling relationships does not augur well for local and small business sector or government revenue,” Louisy stated.
According to him, fostering of linkages must take on more specific and strategic national objectives.
“The tourism sector continues to perform remarkably well with arrival numbers growing by 10% year-to- date. Other sectors are projected to grow in 2018. The value of ensuring the economy is not over-reliant on the traditional sectors cannot be over-emphasized.
“The challenge which the country now faces appears to be the distribution of the wealth from the lead sector. Continued focus on tourism arrivals without commensurate attention to who the beneficiaries are, beyond at the employee level, will become problematic, if it is not already so.
“Clearly, attention on greater participation and benefits of the wider society in the spoils of high visitor arrivals is worth looking at, especially, considering the predominance of tax concessions as an incentive which appears to be only accessible to the accommodation sector and for FDI.
“Vertical integration within the sector with incestuous purchasing and selling relationships does not augur well.” (OECS Business Focus)