The Bahamas Have Proposed A New Tax On Cruise Travellers

Authorities in the Bahamas plan to raise the passenger tax because cruise companies are investing more and more on private islands in the area.

 

Increasing a number of taxes is part of the recent government's agenda. If all goes accordingly, each cruise passenger now charged $18 would be charged $23 when leaving from Freeport or Nassau. Tourists who stop just at one of the Bahamas' private islands would be subject to a higher tariff of $25. Each traveller might be hit with an additional $5 in environmental taxes and $2 in tourist enhancement fees if the administration gets its way. The majority of taxes, except the $2 tourist enhancement tax, are scheduled to begin collection on July 1. The implementation date for the tourist enhancement tax is set for January 1, 2024.

The proposed tax scheme follows significant investment by cruise companies in exclusive Bahamian island resorts. Lighthouse Point will be a new private destination that will be built on Eleuthera Island by Disney Cruise Line. Guests will be able to visit Castaway Cay while they are there. Opening is planned during the summer season of 2024.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean International's primary focus for its family-friendly Caribbean plan of action, and in the fourth quarter of this year, the company will launch the adults-only Hideaway Beach to accommodate growing demand.

On the westernmost tip of Nassau's Paradise Island, Royal Caribbean intends to construct the 17-acre Royal Beach Club, scheduled to open in 2025.

MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Cruises are just few of the other lines that offer private island locations in the Bahamas.

It is estimated that the government's income from leaving cruisers would climb from $50 million in 2022-2023 to $145 million in 2023-2024 if the levy was increased to its proposed level. FCCA CEO Michele Paige stated that negotiations were ongoing with the local authorities to better comprehend the changes and find a mutually profitable route ahead.

The first stage of a $300 million building project has been completed at the Nassau cruise port, prompting the current tax debate. The daily tourist cap is expected to go up from 20,000 to 30,000 as a result of the renovation.

 

source: travelweekly.com