Operators cry foul as levy swells to P2.3 million

Reacting to DOT's announcement that the Tourism Industry Training Fund had risen to P2.3 million last year, sector players at this year's annual Tourism Pitso this week said the levy was falling short of its statutory objectives.

Introduced in 1999, tourism enterprises, except mekoro polers, are expected to pay a training levy of P2 per paying guest per day. The surcharge, which is commonly known as the tourism levy, is paid into the Fund through which DOT organises training for workers of contributing enterprises.