Tourism 3.0 draft proposes several new visitor charges

ORANJESTAD — The Government of Aruba is considering a series of new tourism-related charges and fee increases under its draft Aruba Strategic Tourism Implementation Plan 2026–2031. The proposed revenues would finance resilience, environmental protection, infrastructure and the broader transformation of the tourism sector.

One of the largest measures is a US$25 Sustainable Tourism and Resilience Fee for eligible stay-over visitors. Based on approximately 1.55 million visitors, the plan estimates annual proceeds of roughly US$38.8 million. The money would be transferred to a protected National Tourism Resilience Fund and would not be available for routine government spending.      

The draft also proposes a US$10 increase in the Tourism Product Fee, estimated at approximately Afl. 27.7 million annually, and a US$25 Marine Conservation Fee connected to recreational diving, estimated to generate about Afl. 8.1 million. These revenues would primarily support natural-capital and marine protection.      

Other measures include a US$5 increase in the cruise head tax, a higher environmental levy and a possible rental-vehicle levy for roads, mobility, maintenance and environmental mitigation.      

The plan also assumes improved room-tax collection, a one-percentage-point increase in room tax and an annual Afl. 15 million contribution from ATA toward the tourism transformation portfolio.      

The document stresses that these figures are estimates and remain subject to annual revision. As the plan is still a draft, implementation would require further political, legislative and budgetary decisions.