Wednesday, July 9, 2025
In 2025, cruise passengers visiting Greece’s iconic islands of Santorini and Mykonos, along with popular Caribbean ports in Mexico, will face new mandatory tourist taxes. These fees are being introduced as part of a strategic effort to foster sustainable tourism and ensure long-term infrastructure growth in these sought-after destinations. The funds collected from the new tax will be reinvested into enhancing local infrastructure, preserving natural and cultural resources, and improving the overall travel experience for visitors. Both Greece and Mexico are taking proactive steps to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by mass tourism, ensuring that their tourism industries remain both thriving and sustainable. By implementing these taxes, the countries are not only protecting their beloved destinations but also ensuring that tourism continues to benefit local communities for years to come.

Greece Introduces Cruise Passenger Tax

Starting July 21, 2025, Greece will implement a new mandatory tourist tax for all passengers arriving by cruise ship. The fee is part of the country’s broader sustainable tourism initiative, designed to help fund infrastructure improvements, support the preservation of natural resources, and enhance the overall visitor experience. The tax will apply to all guests, regardless of their age, and will be charged for transit through any Greek port, whether it’s a port of call or the final port of disembarkation.

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The cruise line will add the tax directly to passengers’ onboard accounts, and the funds will be forwarded to local port authorities. If guests choose to remain onboard during a port stop, the tax will be removed from their accounts within 24 hours.
The highest fees will apply to popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini, two of Greece’s most iconic islands. During the summer high season (from July to September), the fee will be €20 (about £17.22) per person. For less frequented ports, passengers will pay a lower fee of €5 (around £4.30) per person during the same peak period.

In the shoulder season, which spans April, May, and October, the fees will drop slightly. A visit to Santorini and Mykonos will cost €12 (approximately £10.28) per person, while less-visited ports will charge €3 (roughly £2.57). Winter travelers will pay even less, with fees reduced to €4 (around £3.43) for popular islands and €1 (approximately 86p) for other locations.
The funds raised from this new tax will be invested back into local infrastructure and tourism-related projects across Greece. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism, ensuring that both the economic and environmental impact of tourism is balanced and positive.

Mexico’s New Cruise Passenger Fee

Mexico is also introducing a tourist fee for cruise passengers, which will affect travelers visiting several popular ports along the Caribbean coast. Starting in 2025, passengers will pay a fee of $5 (around £3.67) per person. However, this amount is set to increase gradually over the next three years, reaching $21 (roughly £15.42) per passenger by 2028.
This new fee comes after growing criticism from Mexican officials, who have argued that cruise lines have not been contributing enough to the local communities where their ships dock. While major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, have voiced opposition to the tax—arguing that passengers already spend money in each destination—Mexican authorities have made it clear that this fee will go towards funding local tourism infrastructure.
The new tax will be in addition to the port fees that cruise lines already pay to dock at Mexican ports. Mexican officials contend that many airlines already include a tourist tax in the price of plane tickets to Mexico, and it is only fair that cruise passengers contribute similarly to the country’s tourism infrastructure.
The money raised through the new tax will be directed towards projects that enhance the tourism experience, improve port facilities, and promote sustainable practices in the regions most affected by the surge in cruise tourism.

Impact on Sustainable Tourism

Both Greece and Mexico are focusing on improving their tourism infrastructure through these new taxes, ensuring that their cities and islands can handle the growing number of cruise visitors while maintaining the quality of life for residents and the preservation of natural resources. The funds from these taxes will go toward improving infrastructure, enhancing the tourism experience, and supporting long-term sustainability efforts.
With international cruise tourism continuing to grow, both Greece and Mexico are taking proactive measures to ensure that they can accommodate an increasing number of visitors while preserving their cultural and natural heritage. These new fees are part of a broader effort to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the responsibility of maintaining the environmental and social integrity of their destinations.
Starting in 2025, Greece’s Santorini and Mykonos, along with Mexico’s Caribbean ports, will introduce new tourist taxes to support sustainable tourism and fund infrastructure improvements, ensuring long-term growth and environmental preservation.
As the cruise industry continues to evolve, these two countries are setting an example for other destinations by introducing fair and transparent measures that help them maintain the sustainability of their tourism sectors. By implementing these taxes, Greece and Mexico aim to foster a more sustainable, responsible, and beneficial tourism experience for both visitors and local communities alike.

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Tags: Caribbean ports, cruise passengers, eco-friendly, Environmental Preservation, greece, infrastructure growth, mexico, Mykonos, santorini, sustainable tourism, tourist taxes, Travel News

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