PHILIPSBURG--The United People's (UP) party has submitted a draft initiative law to Parliament to change the guest accommodation fee charged to timeshare visitors from the current weekly fee of US $50 to $10 per day.

 

The increase, if approved by Parliament, will make the application of the fee flexible in keeping with evolution of the timesharing industry, initiative-taker Member of Parliament (MP) Jules James told the press. He added that UP members had chosen to bring an ordinance on the fee change to Parliament for approval instead of presenting a motion instructing government to prepare the legislation.

 

The approval and implementation of the fee also will see government revenues increase and allow for better auditing of the fee collected by timeshare resorts, fellow initiative taker MP Johan Leonard said. Government collects about $4.5 million from the guest accommodation fee.

 

The current fee system charged US $50 for a seven-night stay or any part thereof in a timeshare resort, making it unattractive for visitors spending only two or three nights. The same holds true for visitors who stay less than 14 nights, as they would still have to pay the fee for two weeks.

 

People who own a quarter of the year in timeshare or even an entire year will not be charged for the timeslot they own. They will be charged only for the nights they or their guests are checked in at their designated property.

The new fee system will ensure "no one is overcharged," James said. He does not anticipate that the charge to the fee structure will drive visitors or timeshare owners away from the country.

 

The draft law, already vetted by the Advisory Council and the Social Economic Council SER, was submitted to Parliament last week and should be placed on the agenda of an upcoming Central Committee of Parliament session for the start of deliberations.

 

The initiative law also was signed by UP MP Sylvia Meyers-Olivacce.

 

(The Daily Herald)