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I received this press release from INGUAT and thought it would be of
interest.
--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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Cruise Passengers Exonerated from Maritime Tax
Guatemalan Congress Passed a Bill That Benefits Tourism Industry,
Micro and Small Businesses; Country Would Increase Foreign-Currency
Income Thanks to Exoneration
ANTIGUA, Guatemala
The Guatemala Tourism Board – INGUAT – has announced today that Bill
No. 38-2009, which exonerates maritime tax to those cruise passengers
remaining on land no longer than 72 hours, has been passed by the
Guatemalan Congress.
The bill was passed thanks to the support of most political parties.
The Congress’ permanent Finance and Tourism committees were also
supportive once the bill, which takes effect immediately, was
approved. This measure is expected to have a direct positive impact on
communes and micro and small businesses that have a connection with
the cruise industry.
“The cruise industry is a fast growing segment that generates economic
benefits to our country in the short and long run. It creates jobs and
promotes domestic tourism in just a matter of hours. We are confident
that the new bill, supported by an ample political base, will be seen
as an incentive by cruise companies that already do business in
Guatemala, and make those who don’t yet, to consider us in the future;
it’s another step forward in the right direction,” said Roberto
Robles, Director of INGUAT.
The new law will take effect once it appears published on Guatemala’s
Official Journal and from then on, Guatemala will be even more
attractive to cruise companies. Besides already being a great
multicultural destination, the country will offer more incentives for
occasional international travelers, promoting this specific segment
and helping develop, even more, the national tourism industry.
A research by the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), reveals
that 50% of cruise travelers always come back to destinations, for a
longer stay, that were previously visited for brief time during a
cruise vacation. This short stop in Guatemala, according to the
research, averages 12 hours.
Cruise industry: the big winner
In 2008, Guatemala’s foreign-currency income, as a result of cruise
industry, reached a record number: 100 million quetzals. Last season,
over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs were also created. A total of 105
cruise liners arrived in Puerto Quetzal, on the Pacific coast, and
Santo Tomas de Castilla, on the Atlantic.
The cruise industry was also a major force in the growth of other
small businesses. From small charter boats to cab drivers, artisans
and craftsmanship shops, local artists and restaurants, all benefitted
from the commercial activity resulting from 150,000 passengers who
disembarked at the ports.
The ongoing 2009-2010 cruise season, which began on October 2nd, has a
total of 115 cruises planned on its calendar for this season. Thanks
to the new law that exonerates maritime tax, this number of vessels is
likely to grow, thus promoting and boosting the cruise tourism
industry in Guatemala.
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