 What is the tax?
In late 2007, the municipal governments of the islands of Santa Cruz,
San Cristóbal and Isabela approved a new $100 tax to be levied on
foreign tourists arriving in Galapagos who intend to do ship-based
tours. Tourists from MERCOSUR and Andean Community nations (basically
all of South Amerrica) will pay half. Visitors staying in hoels on the
islands (as opposed to on a tour ship) will not have to pay the tax.
The additional tax is expected to raise millions of dollars annually.
Who gets the money?
On November 5, 2007, representatives of the three main Galapagos
municipalities met to decide where the money raised by this new tax
would go. The island of Santa Cruz, home to roughly half of all
Galapagos residents in the town of Puerto Ayora, will receive 48% of
the tax money, while the islands of San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno) and Isabela (Puerto Villamil) will receive 33% and 19%
respectively.
What will the money be used for?
The money is earmarked for improving municipal services such as water,
roads, sanitation, recycling, cleanup, maintenance of public areas
such as piers and eradication of introduces species in urban areas
(the park is responsible for eradicating them in the National Park
area).A small percentage of the money (.5%) will be used for the
consortium of mayors and leaders who approved the tax in the first
place: it will be used to create an office on each of the islands.
Is everyone in favor of it?
The tax was approved over the vocal objections of the local chambers
of tourism, commerce, small business and construction, who feel the
additional fee will drive off tourists who are the life blood of the
islands. A statement issued by these chambers has called the tax "unethical and irresponsible" and even questions the basic legality of
it, as Ingala, the Galapagos Park Service, is supposed to have
ultimate authority over such matters, and it was not consulted in this
case.
Source: www.elcolono.com
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