Ensenada, Baja California.- The implementation of a new immigration fee of 42 dollars for cruise passengers, scheduled for January 2025, will have a devastating impact on the tourism sector in Ensenada, said Andrés Martínez Bremer.
The measure, said the president of the Mexican Association of Hotels and Motels of Ensenada, which eliminates an exemption in force for more than a decade, will increase costs per passenger to 47 dollars, 213% more than the current average, positioning Mexico as one of the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean.
Cruise tourism annually brings more than 10 million passengers and generates a direct expenditure of one billion dollars. In addition, it supports more than 20 thousand direct jobs and 200 million dollars in salaries, benefiting thousands of Mexican families, many of the most unprotected.
In Ensenada, in 2023, the arrival of cruise passengers was consolidated for the first time, one million during the year, which is intended to multiply and grow, but in the face of this scenario, it is expected to be impossible.
In response to this situation, Martínez Bremer made an urgent call this week to all federal deputies of Baja California, regardless of their political affiliation, and to the senators who represent the State.
The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur) expressed its concern too
The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur) expressed its concern on Monday about the tax that cruise passengers (tourists on ships) will now have to pay after the Chamber of Deputies eliminated its exception as part of the Federal Rights Law for 2025.
The measure, which the Senate of the Republic will also discuss, would impose a charge of 42 dollars per passenger, which could scare away cruise lines from national ports, favoring destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.
Octavio de la Torre, president of Concanaco Servytur, stressed that this provision threatens the local economy of port communities in the country such as Cozumel, Mahahual, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Ensenada, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Progreso and Cabo San Lucas, where cruise tourism represents up to 90% of visitors.
“Local communities are extremely concerned because they would be the most affected by the elimination of the Non-Immigrant Right (DNI) exception, particularly those whose livelihood depends on the income generated by cruise passengers,” said de la Torre, referring to merchants, tourist guides, restaurateurs and artisans.
In addition, the leader of the formal tertiary sector, which represents 4.8 million companies and family businesses in more than 1,857 municipalities, recalled that, according to official data, the income from foreign currency from these travelers reached 498.3 million dollars this year.
De la Torre pointed out that the new tax would make Mexican ports the most expensive in the region, with costs 213% higher than those in the Caribbean, according to industry associations.
He also predicted that, if implemented, legal and logistical conflicts would be generated, as well as job losses and the cancellation of investments in port infrastructure.
The leader of Concanaco Servytur explained that alternatives were proposed to mitigate the measure’s adverse effects in recent meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and Finance of the Government of Mexico and with business chambers.
“We have received requests from local merchants and businessmen through our Chambers requesting that we intervene before the competent federal authorities (…) and we trust that the measure will be extended,” said De la Torre.
The business leader urged the Government to reconsider the measure and seek consensual solutions that promote tourism, instead of discouraging it.
“Tourism is one of the main sources of income for Mexico and a window to the world for our natural and cultural wealth. Investing in its continued and sustainable development is a priority that we must promote from the different sectors of society,” he stressed.
Now, the proposal will be discussed in the Senate, while voices are growing calling for its suspension or modification to protect the economy of regions dependent on tourism.
Sources: El Imparcial / El Financiero
