Cruise passengers should pay environmental levy — Flax-Charles
Junior Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Shereen Flax-Charles said it is time for cruise passengers to pay the environmental levy that all other visitors are made to pay on arrival in the territory.
The monies collected from that tax are used to facilitate environmental protection and improvement, climate change, and the maintenance and development of tourist sites and other tourism-related activities.
But when the levy was introduced in the BVI, cruise passengers were among those exempt from paying it.
While making her contribution to the 2023 budget debate on Tuesday, Flax-Charles said the government is in need of revenue that could be gained from each cruise passenger who visits the BVI.
“The cruise passengers – we welcome them, we love to have then but they need to be paying their fair share. The environmental impact from the cruise passenger is the greatest,” Flax-Charles emphasized. “I have no issue with cruise passengers. But if the land-based (tourists) and the charter yatchs have to pay that levy then we need to take a closer look.”
Flax-Charles also said she doesn’t believe the average cruise passenger would mind paying a tax that will help to maintain the BVI.
“We’re not going to nickel and dime persons but the average American tourist has no issue whatsoever paying to assist in maintaining Nature’s Little Secret,” Flax-Charles stated.
She also said she is aware that cruise passengers are not subjected to the levy because of berthing agreements the territory has with cruise lines. But she insisted that the territory needs to reevaluate those arrangements as the tax could assist the BVI.
Flax-Charles also said she shared her concern with the Standing Finance Committee that is responsible for conducting in-depth analysis of the territory’s budget.
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All others coming for vacation not for a few hours only
Does she really know – ““…the average American tourist has no issue whatsoever paying to assist in maintaining Nature’s Little Secret,” Flax-Charles stated.” Or is she just talking???
I don’t know for sure, so I would ask other Caribbean islands what they do – they likely have a similar levy, do they charge cruises?
I think it’s a great idea, BUT, we don’t want another Island to become a more attractive destination to the Crusie companies or their passengers over this. So let’s find out what the other Islands are doing and then consider our position.
Hear this m** m** Before she get her government to at least cut the bush, pave the roads and pick up the trash from all over this island she want to tax visitors more. Charge them more to see the dirtiness of the country. Brilliant strategy Madam. Let’s see what this would do to the industry. For someone who worked in tourism, I expected you to know better.
Cruise ships tourism pollutes and does not bring real income only to the Romney family and to pay back the bank loan of the highly inflated pier park project thanks to our good friend Claude Skelton Cline.
Why pay for an environmental levy where it doesn’t go back into the environment?
This is a trope from a long gone era. Romasco is not the only people who rely on activity from cruise guests for their livelihoods
The BVI need to move away from this elitist mindset.
Mr. Burnett, you sound so foolish and out of touch.
For what?!!
Give allya more money to flush down the toilet? Go kick rocks. Need learn stop spending so stupid that what we need.
Why they not paying it already? They do most damage.
AND THATS THE POINT. IN A SHORTER SPACE OF TIME THEY CAYSE THE MOST DAMAGE
Where is the money to cut the Bush moth** **un**. That’s the point. Stop living a lie and have most of the politicians tell you lies.THERE IS NO MONEY
1. Cruise ships and their passengers harm the environment of the BVI.
2. Charge every passenger on every cruise ship berthed in the BVI an environmental levy(tax).
3. Cruise ships and their passengers will stop visiting the BVI.
4. No more environmental harm to the BVI and no more income from cruise ships.
Like all of the BVI governments revenue there is no accounting for this tax, how much is collected , what it is spent on or who gets it.
Sounds like the rats want more cheese to me.
Before we talk about collecting more environmental tax why don’t you all enlighten us where the money so far collected is. Millions and Millions not accounted for.
I agree with Mrs Charles, there is no sensible reason why they should not be made to pay, I believe the gov’t squanders our taxes, and It would have been nice to march them individually and collectively before a high court judge for fraudulent conversion or embezzlement, bcuz this abuse needs to stop. Why do we have sewage and other environmental issues? Aren’t these taxes supposed to address those matters that are never addressed?
If they want money all they need to do is take away all those government vehicles that drive around all day burning fuel paid for by the tax payers. Years ago when the topic was brought up they said it’s only 1 million per year and that’s not much money. Lol I’m sure it’s much more by now. Parking them will cause less air pollution also.
One day of emissions from one Cruise ship = one million cars emissions .
This is a great idea you have suggested since it wouldn’t make use the odd man out.
Christmas Season and the bvi dirty dirty…..no cutting of the roadside….nothing for the tourist to see and admire