Colin James Rebuffs Comments From Rob Barrett About ABTA

Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Colin James, has responded to a recent media statement from Hotel Mogul Rob Barrett.

In a release last week, Barrett, who is the Chairman of Elite Island Resorts labelled aspects of the ABTA’s operation a national disgrace.

He insisted there should be greater accountability and transparency regarding the spending of funds by the authority.

However, James has shot back, arguing it is inaccurate to suggest that the financial operations of the ABTA are not transparent.

He noted that each month a detailed list of invoices associated with payments from the 2% fund is delivered to the Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry and the Accountant-General to ensure that account is taken of every cent.

The Tourism Authority’s CEO assertedthat allegations that the Tourism Authority is not transparent wrongfully indicts a cross-section of persons of high repute.

The accounts of the Tourism Authority are audited annually by KPMGand are sent to the Ministers of Finance and Tourism for tabling in Parliament.