April 17, 2021
After more than 60 years, the Chamber of Commerce’s duty-free facility at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), no longer considered a viable business, has “permanently” closed shop at the end of last month, the business association said Friday.
From the start of April, the Customs and Excise Department had assumed full responsibilities for the airport’s duty-free services, the chamber said in a statement.
A duty-free facility opened at the then Seawell Airport in 1959 with the passage of the 1958 Drawback of Duties on Sales of Goods to Tourists Regulations.
The facility provided services to local duty-free retailers on behalf of the Customs and Excise Department, specifically the handling of duty-free packages purchased by travellers, as well as the processing of volumes of third schedules (triplicate invoices) under the drawback regulations scheme.
SLHTA Issues Call to Action to Members For SVG Support
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The Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA) has issued a call to action to its members, rallying them to support a request from the Saint Lucia National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) for water and other essential supplies for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
SLHTA members have answered the call to action with an outpouring of financial support for water, feminine hygiene products, non-perishable items, and baby supplies for now.
Raising over $50,000 in pledges from members within 24 hours, the Association has already actioned the purchase of over 70 pallets of water for dispatch to the sister isle by Tuesday, April 13. The strategic collaboration with NEMO will facilitate the transfer of the water by sea freight.