Global efforts to combat mass tourism spill into Mexico as the country’s government imposes a $42 immigration fee per passenger on cruise ships docking in the country. All cruise ship passengers docking in Mexico will now be subject to paying this fee whether they disembark or stay onboard, according to the Associated Press.
According to the Mexican Association of Naval Agents (AMANAC) this fee and an additional $5 per passenger fee imposed by local states makes Mexican destinations some of the most expensive in the world to visit. The association urged the Mexican government to reconsider this new fee warning that Mexican destinations could lose tourism to more affordable Caribbean destinations.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted during a news conference that the fee is not a new tax, but an adjustment to existing charges tied to inflation, according to CNN. She maintains that conversations with agencies affected by the fee are ongoing.
However, cruise associations seem unsure they will want to bring passengers to places with new unexpected fees. Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association said of the change “We appreciate President Sheinbaum’s assurance during her Wednesday news conference that the change will happen slowly and that she’s instructed federal officials to work with our industry, but we haven’t heard from anyone yet.”
The new rule went into effect on January 1.
