No More Shore Diving

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Is there a list of resorts that will be hit by this?

 

[Doc]

Is there a list of resorts that will be hit by this?

Hit by the tax? All of them.

Hit by the new Roatan Marine Park "rule"?

Be serious. This will affect nothing. RMP has already issued an additional sputtering, equally schizoid babble-filled post.

What very few "no DM dives" that occur on Roatan will not be affected.

The RMP sounds like a good idea, they have a good goal, but they are hobbled by several factors, all centering on the point that they are in a place called Honduras. Re-read my post #2 above. They can't even run their own legitimate calendar photo contest.

I will continue to buy my annual voluntary RMP tag, but I harbor no illusions.

Business as usual.

 

[scubafanatic]

I think it's currently 19%... 15% Sales Tax and a 4% Hotel Tourism Tax..

FYI, some places will give you a significant discount if you pay cash...

As a general rule dive shops in West End and West Bay haven't been renting tanks for shore diving. I was told something was written that prohibited unescorted shore diving, but I never saw it. In any event, I doubt this is going to have any impact on CCV shore diving on the other side of the island.

19% tax ??? !!! WOW !!! Why do some 3rd-world countries assume ALL tourists are rich milk cows ? I really resent this 'wealth transfer tax' just because they can dictate this! The rich scuba tourists are doing the relatively unspoiled Indo-Pacific, the 'white trash' scuba divers (working stiffs ) are the ones slumming in the worn-out Carribbean, the financially challenged demographic.

 

[Midge907]

If it makes you feel any better New York City has a 18% hotel tax, Chicago has a 16% hotel tax, and a 11% downtown restaurant tax. Just saying I do know that if I did factor in the taxes the last several years of Travel and decided not to go back to Roatan partially based on this. I will however be going back since the resort made a great package deal that made up for the high taxes compared to other locations. CCV doesn't let you get away with the "pay cash pay less tax" scheme of other places, but it is something to think of when you go other places. And as for this Shore Dive with DM thing, as its already been stated its not going to effect most resorts, heck its some of these resorts that finance the RMP, if you screw with them there won't be a RMP office on the south side, I would almost guarantee it.

 

[RTBDiver]

19% tax ??? !!! WOW !!! Why do some 3rd-world countries assume ALL tourists are rich milk cows ? .

Probably because less than 50% of Hondurans are economically active, due more to lack of available jobs than not wanting to work and of those working the average working Honduran makes less than $200 dollars per month with those in agriculture, working mainly for US companies, making even less. So face it You travel to far off lands for fun, your scuba equipment likely costs more than the average Honduran makes in a year, Your airfare alone likely costs more than 25% of a workers annual income which he or she is likely trying to fee a family with, Face it, you are a wealthy person. How much are your income taxes? In Honduras they average less that $150 US per year.

 

[Doc]

RMP has already issued an additional sputtering, equally schizoid babble-filled post...

And now, true to form, RMP Facebook has deleted the entire topic.

So, there you have it. Business, like I said, as usual.

Mildly surprised it didn't blow up on Twit Advisor.

 

[UTLgirl]

Can we get the facts straight before we go on a rant about Honduras thinking all tourists are milk cows please.

The tax increase was a 3% SALES TAX increase. ALL people not tax exempt, pay it on goods they buy, including locals.... I'm fairly certain we can agree they are not rich milk cows?

Sales tax went from 12% to 15%, the first sales tax increase I can remember in MANY years here. The additional taxes for Liquor 3%, and hotel 4% stayed the same, and are added to the sales tax making them 18% & 19% total respectively.

As for discounts for cash, some play a game, some don't. What I have experienced more in paying cash in Central America, is that they deduct the credit card processing fee - usually around 6% off my purchase. Basically, they raised all prices to cover the fee and then discount if that service isn't necessary.

I have also received discounts as a walk in, where they basically take off for the commission they didn't have to pay someone to get my business.

If you want discounts, look into Promo Dias discount card. WELL worth the $20, good for 2 years, good for two adults and up two minors per card. Many restaurants, shops, and activity options accept this card. Check out their website for a list of which offer what deals with the card. I saved almost $100 on my 3 day trip to Copan earlier this year, and always save about $10 a night on my hotel during my shopping trips to La Ceiba,

---------- Post added December 28th, 2014 at 09:01 AM ----------

Yep Doc, a tiger with no teeth.... imagine that

 

[dirtfarmer]

The rich scuba tourists are doing the relatively unspoiled Indo-Pacific, the 'white trash' scuba divers (working stiffs ) are the ones slumming in the worn-out Carribbean, the financially challenged demographic.

Scubafanatic. You might check out some prices in the Indo-Pacific region, yes the airfare is more expensive but I've had very affordable lodging and diving. In Bali a nice resort can cost around $60/night and dives can run as low as $35/tank with a private guide/nitrox. Amortize these cost savings over a two week period and the higher airfare becomes much more reasonable.
If prefer to dive the Indo-Pacific region as I find the cost vs quality of diving very attractive. And I am a working stiff.

 

[scubafanatic]

If it makes you feel any better New York City has a 18% hotel tax, Chicago has a 16% hotel tax, and a 11% downtown restaurant tax. Just saying I do know that if I did factor in the taxes the last several years of Travel and decided not to go back to Roatan partially based on this. I will however be going back since the resort made a great package deal that made up for the high taxes compared to other locations. CCV doesn't let you get away with the "pay cash pay less tax" scheme of other places, but it is something to think of when you go other places. And as for this Shore Dive with DM thing, as its already been stated its not going to effect most resorts, heck its some of these resorts that finance the RMP, if you screw with them there won't be a RMP office on the south side, I would almost guarantee it.

I don't discriminate, I also boycott domestic U.S. travel venues/cities that have the same sorts of tax 'rape'. For what it's worth, I have never been to either NYC or Chicago, and can't even imagine why I'd ever want to ! My hard earned income $'s are not meant to satisfy someone else's twisted income redistribution schemes, most of which ends up wasted anyway via govt. corruption and bureaucratic waste!

 

[Doc]

For what it's worth, I have never been to either NYC or Chicago, and can't even imagine why I'd ever want to !

Pizza