The authorities of the island of Barbados, located in the Caribbean Sea, have introduced a tourist tax – now for each night in a hotel, tourists will pay from $2.5 to $10 per room, depending on the number of “stars”. In addition, from October 1, Barbados will introduce a so-called “departure tax” for tourists, who will have to pay $70 when leaving the country. The collected funds will go towards the development of tourism infrastructure.
According to The Telegraph, tourism accounts for 40% of revenue in the Barbados budget, and according to tour operators working in this area, the new taxes may contribute to a reduction in the tourist flow to the country. Experts have calculated that, after the introduction of the new fees, during a two-week holiday a family of tourists will pay more than $260 in taxes. This will make an already expensive destination more expensive. Tour operators note that now they will have to inform clients who have already paid for tours that the trip will become more expensive.
Source: travel.ru