I would tend beleive the actual spend is lower. I work for a competitor and $100 reported spend on tour of course is gross. $1000 spent in a shop is also gross minus percentage minus an annual contract bill. Ships normally pay aport tax to the gov't. $xx.xx per person which could equate to $20-30k. Also other services are handled through the port agent which of course are paid. Extra veggies, fruit, beer etc. Carnival although is very efficient in storea in home ports. Read their cost per passenger in annual reports. The question on owning a pier would be no in evry port I have ever been too that means over 1000. Carnival partnered with the Dominican National Government and local/regional entities. They obtain the rights/lease rights very cheap for a lot of years then develop. Does the port put some to work certainly. Is it aboom for a few sure. However most profit returns to the ship. There is an environmental impact also as discussed many threads ago. Does the postive more people working outweigh the negative only time will tell. If POP is further developed 6-7 ships a day in the winter it has great impact. Less than 100 visits a year still not full time work for many and of course less in the summer aince the ships go to Europe and Alaska.
