TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
TOURISM CORNER
Government Incentives for Tourism Accommodation Providers The Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Accommodation Upgrade Project (TAUP) was launched in Trinidad in January 2015 and in Tobago in March 2016, to provide an incentive to tourism accommodation providers with 1-150 guestrooms to conduct refurbishment and upgrade works to their properties. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality of the country’s tourism accommodation stock, thereby improving the visitor experience and overall destination competitiveness. Originally launched in 2010 as the Trinidad and Tobago Hotel and Guesthouse Room Stock Upgrade Incentive Project, the programme provided a reimbursement incentive for the upgrade of guestrooms only. However, in response to requests from industry stakeholders, in July 2014 Government agreed to include upgrade works to public areas of properties including their lobbies, restaurants and conference rooms for properties with 1 - 150 guestrooms. The project now provides a 20% reimbursement up to $75,000, of the value of upgrade works conducted at eligible properties with 1-5 guestrooms. Eligible properties with 6 150 guestrooms can benefit from a 25% reimbursement up to $750,000, of the value of upgrade works conducted. To qualify, properties must be in operation for at least four years and satisfy several statutory and regulatory requirements. Some eligible upgrade works include improvements to lighting, replacement of floors and ceilings, and repainting of building exteriors. The project is being administered by the Tourism Development Company (TDC) in Trinidad and the Tobago House of Assembly in Tobago. To date, seven accommodation operators in Trinidad have successfully completed refurbishment works to various areas of their properties and have received reimbursements totaling over TT$ 1.1 million. TAUP is just one of a number of incentives offered to tourism operators in Trinidad and Tobago. Other incentives include tax benefits and customs and excise duty exemptions accessible under the Tourism Development Act (TDA) 87:22. These benefits contribute to attracting investment in Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism sector. For more information, call 675-7034, visit www.tdc.co.tt or email: tourisminvestment@tdc.co.tt Tourism Development Company Limited Level 1, Maritime Centre # 29 Tenth Avenue, Barataria Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Tel: (868) 675 7034-7 • Fax: (868) 675-8851 Email : info@tdc.co.tt • Website: www.tdc.co.tt Facebook: Tourism Development Company Limited Islands of Trinidad and Tobago
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