Spain To Lower Taxes For Airlines Increasing Passengers In 1st Half
Wednesday May 13rd, 2009 / 16h45
MADRID (AFP)--The Spanish government said Wednesday that airlines that increase passenger numbers in the first half of the year would receive tax breaks in the second half.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told parliament the measure was aimed at "supporting the tourism sector."
He said airlines that increase passenger numbers in the first six months of 2009, compared with the second half 2008, would see airport taxes cut by 100% for the rest of the year.
"It is an incentive measure to boost tourism and (the number of) passengers" since airlines will pass on the cuts to passengers, he said.
Transport Minister Jose Blanco said the measure would cost the country's airports authority around EUR20 million.
Spain is the world's second biggest tourist destination after France.
The tourism sector accounts for about 11% of the country's jobs and gross domestic product but the global economic crisis has hit the industry hard.
In the first quarter of 2009, tourist arrivals were down 16.3% at 8.9%.
Wednesday May 13rd, 2009 / 16h45 Source : Dowjones Business News
Wednesday May 13rd, 2009 / 16h45
MADRID (AFP)--The Spanish government said Wednesday that airlines that increase passenger numbers in the first half of the year would receive tax breaks in the second half.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told parliament the measure was aimed at "supporting the tourism sector."
He said airlines that increase passenger numbers in the first six months of 2009, compared with the second half 2008, would see airport taxes cut by 100% for the rest of the year.
"It is an incentive measure to boost tourism and (the number of) passengers" since airlines will pass on the cuts to passengers, he said.
Transport Minister Jose Blanco said the measure would cost the country's airports authority around EUR20 million.
Spain is the world's second biggest tourist destination after France.
The tourism sector accounts for about 11% of the country's jobs and gross domestic product but the global economic crisis has hit the industry hard.
In the first quarter of 2009, tourist arrivals were down 16.3% at 8.9%.
Wednesday May 13rd, 2009 / 16h45 Source : Dowjones Business News
