Cruise passengers arriving at any Mexican port will have to pay a new fee starting July 1, according to reports from U.S. media.
The Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents 95% of the cruises that stop in Mexico, reached an agreement this week to implement a five-dollar tax on each visitor.
Although previously, six months ago, the Mexican government wanted to establish a fee of 42 dollars per passenger, the cruise operators and the FCCA complained, and the rate was renegotiated.
However, in the next three years, the fare will increase to 21 dollars per passenger.
This new amount will not be paid directly to the Mexican government, but rather added to the cost of a cruise.
"We thank the federal government of Mexico for collaborating with us to reach an agreement on the transit rate that protects cruise tourism by increasing the benefits for local communities that depend on it," reads a statement from the FCCA.
According to the FCCA, around 3,300 cruises are expected to dock at Mexican ports this year, bringing 10 million passengers.
Last year, the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (AMANAC) urged the Mexican government to reconsider the high fees for cruise clients. In its opinion, this cost would make Mexican destinations among the most expensive in the world.
"Mexico could lose up to 10 million passengers and more than 3,300 cruise ship calls in 2025, directly impacting the local economies of tourist ports and thousands of small suppliers and national businesses" if the tax were implemented.
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, argued that it was merely an adjustment to existing positions linked "to inflation."
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Cruise Passenger Fee in Mexico
What is the new fee that cruise passengers arriving in Mexico will have to pay?
Starting July 1, cruise passengers arriving at Mexican ports will be required to pay a new fee of five dollars per visitor. This fee will be implemented initially and will gradually increase to 21 dollars over the next three years.
How is the implementation of this new rate in Mexico justified?
The new fee was negotiated between the Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), with the aim of protecting cruise tourism and increasing benefits for local communities. The fee aims to compensate local communities whose incomes depend on cruise tourism.
How will this fee affect tourists and the cruise industry in Mexico?
The fee will be added to the total cost of the cruise and will not be paid directly to the Mexican government. This measure is expected to not significantly affect the flow of tourists, as the negotiations reduced the initially proposed amount of 42 dollars per passenger to a more reasonable rate.
What impact could the fee have on the local economies of tourist ports in Mexico?
The expected impact is positive, as the fee is designed to enhance economic benefits for local communities. Local economies could see an increase in benefits thanks to the redistribution of income generated by this additional fee.
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