ATTENTION will turn this Wednesday to a crucial meeting between the finance ministry and anxious tourism leaders fearing that a General Consumption Tax (GCT) increase being proposed for the sector will badly hurt its viability for the immediate future.

Nervously awaiting the outcome of the discussions also are sectors like domestic agriculture and manufacturing — broken down into produce, poultry, dairy, juices, sauces, water, electricity, packaging, furniture, uniforms, amenities, and transport and services, for which tourism is the anchor customer.

The tourism industry and its spin-off entities have been fretful in recent years over its future profitability after a series of financial shocks, mostly stemming from natural weather events, left the sector reeling.