The Government decided to postpone until July 1, 2025 the implementation of the $42 tax on each cruise passenger arriving at national ports, originally scheduled to come into force on January 1, as announced this Monday by the sector.
This measure was recognized by the Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which, although it appreciated the postponement, insisted on its concern about the negative impact that this right could have on the tourism industry and the coastal communities of the country.
“While the proposed deferral provides a temporary respite, the FCCA underscores that more comprehensive measures are required to address broader concerns about the tax’s devastating impact on cruise tourism, Mexico’s economy, and the livelihoods of its communities. coastal,” the FCCA noted in a statement
In this sense, the FCCA emphasized that the tax would still be added to the current average of 20 dollars in port fees, which would imply an increase compared to the costs of other Caribbean destinations, making Mexico less competitive in the global cruise market.
Read: Tax on cruise passengers will scare away shipping companies, warns Concanaco Servytur
For this reason, the general director of the FCCA, Michele Paige, called on the Mexican authorities to address long-term concerns, despite the temporary delay of this tax measure, in the face of invitations from other Caribbean destinations to relocate itineraries, which could represent a loss of millions of dollars for Mexico.
Likewise, he warned that only a 15% reduction in cruise stopovers in Mexican ports would nullify the tax benefits provided for with this measure.
“With more than 10 million passengers forecast in 2025, even a minimal decline in cruise traffic would mean a loss of millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses, tours and services, negating or even exceeding tax revenues.” totals expected with the measure,” he noted.
‘Mexico will lose competitiveness’
The Mexican Cruise Association (Amepact) warned about the impact on local jobs, affecting sectors such as taxi drivers, tour guides, artisans and small business owners.
“The reduction in income will lead to the loss of jobs and lower tax collection for the Government. Mexico will lose competitiveness, becoming one of the most expensive cruise destinations in the world,” he concluded.
The update on the issue arises after a meeting between authorities of the Government of Mexico and businessmen from the cruise and tourism sector, after warnings about the loss of competitiveness compared to other tourist destinations due to the tax of 42 dollars for each cruise passenger who sets foot. Mexican ports.
According to a note from El Economista, the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, confirmed the postponement for six months.
“We have had complete openness with the federal government to establish dialogue, we believe that these rights should remain in the places where the visitor arrives, we have had a great opening, today we have another meeting, for now the FCCA has already said it, regarding to this meeting where this postponement was achieved, as a first agreement,” the newspaper quoted this Monday.
With information from EFE
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