MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mexican Congress approves landing fee for cruise visitors

Mexico will charge a 5 US dollar per capita landing fee to all foreign visitors calling in Mexican ports as of next year if President Felipe Calderon signs the bill which was approved Thursday by Congress.

The tax, in the middle of the federal budget discussions, was approved by 374 votes and six abstentions. The income collected would be split among the local governments of the port cities which would be given 80% with the rest going to the Migration Institute. Six million tourists on cruise vessels visited Mexico last year, and according to official estimates each visitor spends an average 85 US dollars per day. However the overall income from the visiting cruise industry in Mexico (visitors spending, vessels duties, supplies and others) totals over 565 million US dollars annually, reports the country's Tourist Secretariat. However the initiative was criticized by the industry, most of which has its headquarters in Florida, United States.