Mexico Government Okays Head Tax for Cruise Passengers

Mexico’s Senate approved a law on October 30 to charge cruise passengers that visit Mexican ports a $5 head tax beginning in June 2008, a spokesperson at Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism said.

The finance committee of Mexico’s Congress approved the tax on October 18, predicting that it would generate about $30 million a year in revenue, with about 80 percent of that money being invested in the infrastructure and maintenance of the port communities where cruise ships call.

In 2006, Mexico received 6.5 million cruise passengers who spent an average of $70 each, according to the Mexico Tourism Board.