Guatemala: Cruise Ship Tax Under Study

©image: Jennifer Williams

The $10 per visitor departure tax fee was scheduled for implementation in January 2009. However, due to pressure from cruise ship companies that Guatemala would be removed from the list of destinations, implementation had been postponed until May 1.

At this time, the Congress’ Finance Commission is considering the validity of the tax on cruise ships.

Prensalibre.com published: "According to [Roberto] Robles (director of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism,) international cruise ship associations have advised INGUAT not to implement this tax because they would no longer include Guatemala as a destination."

Source: prensalibre.com

More on this topic

Guatemala suspends visitor tax

January 2009

The $10 departure tax for visitors, which became effective yesterday, was postponed until May 1.

Prensalibre.com reports: "Executives from the cruise ship industry and officials met yesterday in the country to reach an agreement regarding the controversial charge, which was suspended until next May or until an agreement is reached.

Tax to Cruise Ship Industry Could Be Sustained

March 2010

A discussion to impose a $10 levy to cruise ship tourists is back in Congress.

Back in November 2009, Legislative Decree 38-2009 suspended the collection of this tax, but President Álvaro Colom vetoed such decree.

More recently, the Constitutional Court (CC) ruled that it is not against the constitution to suspend collection of the tax. This has caused the discussion to go back to Congress.

Guatemala Eliminates Tax for Cruise Ships

October 2010

The suspension of the tax was made official on Tuesday by Congressional act.

Representatives of the Guatemalan Association of Cruise Tourism and the Institute of Tourism saw the move as positive to improve their competitiveness with other destinations.

Leonel Azurdia of the Association of Cruise Tourism, told Prensalibre.com that "the suspension of the tax, which was formalized last Tuesday by a congressional, gives legal certainty to attract more ships."

Guatemala to Waive Cruise Ship Tax

May 2010

After meeting with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, the Government committed to eliminate a $10 tax charged to cruise ship passengers.

Roberto Alejos, President of the Congress, explained that on Thursday they will introduce an urgent process to suspend this tax.