Plan on Paying $5 More to Fly to the DR

millard · #1 04-14-2005, 04:16 PM

The DR already has some of the highest airport taxes and entry and departure fees than any destination in the world. At least $86, minimum, by last count. (That's what I had to pay the Dominican government, despite my free frequent flyer ticket).

Now the Secretary of Tourism has announced an additional $5 tax that will go into effect after May. The money is supposed to be used for "tourist infrastructure."

So, if they need $5 more for tourist infrastructure, what in God's name is the $86 going for now? I am convinced, frankly, that the average tourist pays more in taxes on a single visit than the average Dominican pays for the entire year.

Bob K · #2 04-14-2005, 05:04 PM

Actually it is just another DR BOHICA tax. It seems that this type of tax is getting more common on a daily basis. Most recently on resturant meals. We even are now seeing BOHICA taxes here in the US

(BOHICA= bend over here it come again)

Bob K

millard · #3 04-20-2005, 05:43 PM

Today's segment in DR1 confirms the unstated DR policy of making the "rich" tourists bear as much of the DR tax burden as possible. I'm all in favor of charging tourists an impact fee for the incremental costs of tourism on Dominican roads, infrastucture, and the environment. But charging the tourists for collecting garbage in coastal areas and for sanitary fill is like charging a dinner guest for the cost of hiring a maid to clean your house before he arrives. Not only are the tourists not responsible for the trash, but the DR government has a duty to keep these places clean even if no tourists ever came.

What really amuses me is that only tickets bought outside of the DR will be charged this fee. Presumably people who buy tickets in the DR have no vested interest in making sure that the Dominican Republic is kept clean. Does anyone really believe that this new tax will be temporary?

Keith R · #4 04-20-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millard

Today's segment in DR1 confirms the unstated DR policy of making the "rich" tourists bear as much of the DR tax burden as possible. I'm all in favor of charging tourists an impact fee for the incremental costs of tourism on Dominican roads, infrastucture, and the environment. But charging the tourists for collecting garbage in coastal areas and for sanitary fill is like charging a dinner guest for the cost of hiring a maid to clean your house before he arrives. Not only are the tourists not responsible for the trash, but the DR government has a duty to keep these places clean even if no tourists ever came.

What really amuses me is that only tickets bought outside of the DR will be charged this fee. Presumably people who buy tickets in the DR have no vested interest in making sure that the Dominican Republic is kept clean. Does anyone really believe that this new tax will be temporary?

Well, perhaps the worst part of this is that most of the money, if any, will not even be spent on what they say it will be allocated for. I seriously doubt that it will be used for a sanitary landfill or coastal trash clean-up. If it actually were, I might be inclined to pay it. This sort of "eco-tax" has been successfully used in a few islands in the Caribbean. In St. Lucia, for example, a US$1.50 "environmental levy" on all arriving cruise ship passengers, is earmarked for the country’s solid waste management program. So is a 1.5% ad valorem levy on the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value of certain packaging materials. Together they have funded 70% of the operating budget of the St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority. Antigua & Barbuda also imposes the cruise ship tax and use the money for waste management. Dominica, however, imposes a EC$4 “environmental surcharge” on all airport departures, purportedly for funding environmental projects, but most analysts think most of the money ends up in the general treasury.

rellosk · #5 04-20-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith R

Well, perhaps the worst part of this is that most of the money, if any, will even be spent on what they say it will be allocated for. I seriously doubt that it will be used for a sanitary landfill or coastal trash clean-up.

Hopefully the money won't be used to expand the government and create more waste.

Criss Colon · #6 04-20-2005, 06:40 PM

I give him "6 Points" every time he posts in my Forum,yet he goes on.What's up Robert????
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Chris · #7 04-20-2005, 06:42 PM

heheh! He types faster than you...

What a maroon!

apdomini100max · #8 04-20-2005, 09:33 PM

The tax to fly into the Dominican Republic will be the highest in the world. As of now the Dominican Republic is the second highest with 110.55 of airlines travel tax. Britain is the first with 111 dolars. This summer there will be 5 more dollars on your ticket for all regular flights. Im wondering if the max tax which can be imposed is 125.00 how come DR just doesnt charge that and leave the passangers alone.?

ricktoronto · #9 04-21-2005, 12:22 AM

How about you break out the figures and where you got them.

Dolores · #10 04-21-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricktoronto

How about you break out the figures and where you got them.

Yes, please send us the breakdown and the link where international breakdowns are featured so we can include this in any news story in the future on the matter.