No more in-transit cruise tax

Cruise ship passengers in transit in the Dominican Republic will no longer be required to pay a US$15 airport fee.



The government made the decision in keeping with guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation that passengers in direct transit should not be charged the aeronautical rate.



It also means that the government of President Leonel Fernandez will lose about US$7.4 million in revenue from the levy.



Santo Domingo earns an estimated $80 million from cruise tourism.



Industry officials are anticipating a 5 per cent increase in cruise ship arrivals this year, with more than 350,000 tourists visiting in the first four months.