Local NewsNews BHTA concerned about airport taxi operators charging various rates by Barbados Today 16/09/2023 written by Barbados Today Updated by Barbados Today Traffic 16/09/2023 2 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 542 Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Renee Coppin is calling on authorities to urgently address what she says is a threat to the visitor experience in Barbados. On Friday evening, Coppin told the BHTA’s third quarterly general meeting at the Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park in St Thomas that information has emerged that taxi operators at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) were quoting unsuspecting passengers a variety of rates. She told the gathering that the association would continue to push for that and other issues to be addressed, as she maintained that the implementation of the new taxi rates in January was rushed. Effective January 7, 2023, taxi rates were adjusted upwards for the first time in about 15 years. Fares from the GAIA to various locations across the island increased on average by some 70 per cent. At the time, Coppin said while the BHTA was in full agreement with an increase in taxi fares, she would have preferred an approach that was not so sudden and, in some cases, drastic. “I had a painful voice message from a family of four returning home recently who had a very negative encounter at the airport with taxi drivers quoting a multiplicity of different rates,” she said on Friday. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians “One of the biggest challenges to our development as a sector and the country is our willingness to commit to deadlines. And we have been trying to get that taxi tariff issue results since January when it was introduced. “So even though I am often accused of wanting things to happen quickly, certainly eight months in and the confusion and the stress that continue among locals and visitors alike, I can’t be accused of being in a rush,” said the BHTA boss. Meanwhile, Coppin said members were also concerned that one of the association’s oldest calls has still not been answered, despite some progress over the years. Last year, she reported that a committee was set up to devise a structure for a “trusted trader programme” that would see tourism industry operators being able to finally access concessions under the Tourism Development (Amendment) Act (TDAA) and the Tourism Development Act, as intended. However, she suggested on Friday that this was still an issue to be addressed. Coppin also pledged that the BHTA would continue to conduct research to help improve the industry, as she called on members to give their full support. (MM) Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Updated: Wanted man Zion Jackson in custody 18/02/2025 Update: Person of interest identified and charged 18/02/2025 Man remanded on firearm and ammunition charges 18/02/2025