A proposed measure within the 2024 Fiscal Package meeting for the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, suggests the implementation of a new US$5 tax for each cruise ship passenger. If granted approval, this levy is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2025.
The Congress of Quintana Roo has introduced the proposition, envisioning a per-person cruise ship tourist fee of US$5. The state, boasting two of Mexico's highly frequented cruise ports - Cozumel and Costa Maya - aims to augment its financial resources through this additional tax.
The suggested tax would be levied at the point of cruise ship trip purchase, with cruise lines acting as intermediaries responsible for collecting and subsequently remitting the payments to the state. The primary objective behind this initiative is to generate supplementary funds for investment projects dedicated to enhancing the state's infrastructure, a necessity arising from the escalating influx of visitors to the region.
In accordance with Article 51 of the Law of Rights of the State of Quintana Roo, a designated percentage of the accrued funds (30%) would be allocated to the Trust for the Attention of Natural Disasters. Given the heightened hurricane risk in Quintana Roo, especially during the Atlantic season from June to November annually, this allocation seeks to fortify the state's preparedness and response mechanisms. The remaining 70% of the funds would be directed towards establishing a new Trust for Tourism Infrastructure.
Despite a reduction in the number of cruise ship arrivals in the state from January 1 to October 8, 2023 (1,576 in 2022 to 1,164 in 2023), the corresponding passenger count experienced an increase from 4.1 million to ~4.3 million. This tax proposal, if adopted, aims to strategically address the evolving financial demands associated with the region's growing tourism activity.