Puerto Plata to charge a dollar per tourist

Dolores

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 20, 2019
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In a move that caught many people in Puerto Plata by surprise, the local city council (the ‘ayuntamiento’) approved a US$1.00 fee for every tourist that arrives in the city by way of the several tour operators who serve the dozens of cruise ships that berth at Ambar Bay or Taino Cove cruise ship ports.

Just last year, well over two million tourists arrived on cruise ships in Puerto Plata either via the Taino Bay port in the city center, or the Amber Cove port, about 15 minutes to the west of the city.

The funds will be used to make Puerto Plata an even better place to visit, as well as for improved security and services. Areas such as La Puntilla near the city fort and amphitheater and other places along the Malecon were mentioned as well as Independence Plaza and other attractions slated to receive these improvements.

The impact should be nearly immediate...

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JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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In reality, the tourists who take excursions with these tour operators are going to pay more than one additional dollar...no way the tour operators are only going to raise prices by a dollar, and no way they are going to just pay that dollar out of their own pockets either. Or maybe there will be a separate line at a booth to pay your dollar, reminiscent of the old days with the $10 USD tourist card at the airports. :) That aside, if indeed this money goes to maintenance and improvement of the "touristy" areas, that's fine.
 

PJT

Silver
Jan 8, 2002
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Guess in the minds of the Puerto Plata city council members the great influx of tourists spreading their dollars into the local economy is not enough to satisfy their thirst for tourism revenue. What's next? The reason tourist like the DR, other than its natural charms, is visiting the country is relatively cheap on their pockets. However, if leaders begin in earnest to nickel and dime the visitors with this new fee and that new fee the Dominican tourism magnet is going to demagnetize.

Regards,

PJT