Puerto Plata implements US$1 tourist fee for city improvements
Puerto Plata.- The Puerto Plata City Council approved a new fee of one dollar per tourist visiting the city, aiming to fund the development and upkeep of tourism and urban infrastructure. The resolution, proposed by Councillor Roque de León and supported by Mayor Roquelito García, seeks to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the destination’s appeal.
The funds collected will be used for beautification, security, and service projects in key areas such as La Puntilla, the boardwalk, Plaza Independencia, and Paseo de Doña Blanca. The fee will apply only to tourists purchasing excursions through tour operators. Local tour operators and the Tourism Department initially supported the initiative, citing its common use in other destinations.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions among businesses and residents, with some criticizing the lack of prior discussion and questioning whether the City Council can impose such a tax without Congressional approval. Despite concerns, estimates suggest the measure could generate between $800,000 and $1 million to maintain and clean Puerto Plata’s main tourist areas.
$800k-1mil revenue.
<fill in the blank> actual amount that makes it to any improvements or public works.
Why not use the extra money to also improve the infrastructure. No, wait. That makes too much sense…forget I said that. Even if it brings a better quality of life to the people.
That doesn’t make sense. Tax the citizens for infrastructure, not visitors.
Been traveling to Puerto Plata for over 30 years. We love the DR and the North Coast. It’s a great idea that the local municipality gets some of the tourist dollars versus the cruise line honey traps at the port or the central government that collects the tourist visa dollars.
I would suggest that a good portion to the new revenue stream be spent on establishing a viable recycling infrastructure and program for plastics and glass for local garbage to facilitate cleaning up more of the city versus just the current tourist locations. To improve the whole community.
Much bigger RoI for more of the community and encouraging tourist to see and visit more stay longer and come back to stay versus just a few hours at the honey traps.
Turn the whole of Puerto Plata into a place to see versus the fort, a few jazzed up tourist blocks near the City Square.
Number two would be helping in unemployed locals clean up thier own communities. Like in Spain and other countries where each community has a team to clean up the streets where they live early in the day around thier neighborhood to help instill civic local pride. Adds jobs to locals, improves quality of life for all.
They do have locals cleaning the streets every morning in Cabarete that are older locals that would otherwise not be able to get employed anywhere else.