Mary Frances Vogt , BTA president said , the association is not totally opposed to the proposed fees and help the hospital but is asking the government to conduct consultations with relevant agencies whose businesses will be affected by the proposal.
Vogt said the fees are piling up which could prevent Palau from competing with other destinations in Asia and the Pacific because of the layers of taxes.
“There are a lot of fees, there is the state fees, jellyfish lake fees, diving fees, ‘Vogt said.
President Johnson Toribiong in his Fiscal Year 2011 budget version proposed a $5 per dive tax saying that the money will go the operation of the hyperbaric chamber at the hospital to take care of diving-related incidents.
The House of Delegates version supported the measure in its budget version but reduced it to $5 a day.
Dr. Seilama Lalabalavu, Ministry of Health’s Director of Hospital and Clinical Services said that the ministry has sought the assistance of the Executive Branch in the funding of the chamber’s operation.
Lalabalavu was one of the guest speakers during yesterday’s BTA General Meeting.
“This is the first time that it was brought up in the highest level but who would want to give us money,” Lalabalavu said.
Tova Harel, a dive shop manager and member of the BTA said with 80,000 tourists a year, if the tax is approved this would translate to $2.5 million which is too much money for the operation of the chamber.
Lalabalavu however said the ministry’s recommendation was not specific, nor did they set the fee.
Another member of the BTA raised concerns whether the money would all go to the hospital.
Vogt said that the process of implementation of the proposed tax should be made clear.
“We should sit down with the ministry so we can work out the best implementation process,” Vogt added.
Tourists are required to pay $35 fee for Rock Island tour, $35 environmental impact fee and at least $5 for state fees.
