**Ensenada City Council Opposes $42 Charge for Cruise Passengers**
In Ensenada, the city council led by Municipal President Claudia Agatón Muñiz, along with the legal officer and council members, have expressed their opposition to a proposed $42 fee for cruise passengers. Agatón Muñiz highlighted that this levy could lead to a significant downturn in the tourism sector by reducing the influx of cruise ships, subsequently leading to job losses in various service sectors.
The council intends to work with Baja California senators to ensure that the voices of those impacted by this potential policy change are heard, aiming for its rejection in Mexico’s Senate. The council is concerned about the economic repercussions this measure could have, potentially affecting around four million individuals linked to the tourism industry nationwide.
Cruise tourism has long been a crucial economic driver for Ensenada and other Mexican port cities. It supports key sectors like commerce, gastronomy, transport, and cultural entertainment. Claudia Agatón pointed out that, by the end of the year, Ensenada is expected to welcome over 760,000 passengers across 272 cruise ship arrivals, generating an estimated economic impact of $53 million.
The city officials warn that eliminating the exemption from the Non-Immigrant Fee for foreign visitors could plunge the city into a tourism crisis akin to that of 2020 when cruise arrivals were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The council is urging other port cities in Mexico to join a united front to advocate for inclusive and sustainable public policies, which will enhance the competitiveness of Mexican ports and strengthen local capabilities to address future challenges.
The 25th City Council members opposing the fee include Claudia Agatón Muñiz (Municipal President), Elí Oviedo Díaz (Legal Officer), and councilors Ana Lara Carbajal, Iván Salas Palma, Raquel Esther Manríquez Peña, Gandolfo García Galicia, Olga Marcela Valdez Melgoza, Jorge Eduardo Vega Zamora, Mónica Araceli Primero Escobedo, Adrián García García, Brenda Mendoza Kawanishi, Ana Daniela García Salgado, Isaías Bertín Sandoval, Jacqueline Denise Izabal Bitterlin, and Armando Díaz Hoeflich.
**Secondary Article: Mexican Senator to Present Opposition to Cruise Fee**
In response to the proposed $42 tax on cruise passengers coming to Mexico from 2025, Senator Armando Ayala Robles announced intentions to introduce a motion to eliminate part of Article 8 that stipulates this fee. The matter will be discussed in the Federal Rights Law of 2025 this Wednesday, as Ayala calls on those in the tourism industry to stand together in opposition to the fee.
The senator has been in communication with Miguel Aguiñiga, the State Tourism Secretary, and Michele Paige of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which includes major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, who have expressed concerns about the potential decrease in tourists.
This development is crucial for Mexico as it continues to position itself as a top destination in the global cruise industry.