By bartho braat on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 3:11 pm: |
I wonder why the gouvernmenttax is so extremely high, that mans for European visitors. In my opinion the tax of $ 5,50 + $ 1,- per person per night will keep visitors out when they know it in front or will chase them away when they notice it during their stay. As for all it is often not mentioned when they book and when they leave they are confronted with those high costs which will gibe them an uneasy feeling. So what do you think about lowering it and be more hospitable to new visitors? Bartho.
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By Niki Harris on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 4:00 pm: |
I'm going to voice a different opinion. The idea that $6 per day tax would chase away tourists is odd. They have to spend several dozen times that per day for travel, lodging, food etc. Business owners are not the only ones to serve tourists. The government of Bonaire serves them as well. It funds the preservation of the Marine Park and the land parks and every non-commercial aspect of Bonaire that attracts and keeps visitors. The government gets involved in infrastucture, such as the airport, the water and electricity and sewer and police. Bonaire's tourists, especially, I think, want environmental protection. Who will have the motive and the resources to protect Bonaire if not the public sector? The island will not be hospitable to anyone in the future if it is not taken care of now.
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By Dave Bessmer on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 7:06 pm: |
I know nothing about how citizens of Bonaire are taxed, but I'll wager that those who have anywhere near your income or mine are taxed far in excess of $6,50 a day. I know I pay a lot more than that to the city, state and country where I live.
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By Glen Reem on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 10:06 pm: |
Bartho,
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By bartho braat on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 4:56 pm: |
I agree that Niki and Dave put good arguments, but as a (Neth.) European I think different. In Europe the Touristtaxes are not more than $ 3,-: Danmark, France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium erc.. I agree with Niki, that the tax must keep the island as it is with its security and natural protection. As fot the infrastructure it has got the money from mother-island Curacao and she is not that generous with that.
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By Hazel Scharosch on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 5:32 pm: |
Bartho - perhaps the people and government of Bonaire do not want the type of growth found in Aruba or Curaco. With wealth comes many undesirable things, including crime, drug use, and overpopulation, which would indeed result in exploitation of the natural environment. Perhaps the higher tourist taxes are not in place to attract tourists, but rather to limit them to a manageable number. Just my 2 cents worth.
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 6:20 pm: |
Keep in mind, there is VAT in most European countries but it is included in the price. The big difference is that you don't see the amount separate.
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 7:44 pm: |
The extra $1.00 per person on Bonaire does not go to the government and is not charged by all hotels. It is the amount agreed upon by members of BONHATA which is a hotel and tourism association.
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By Gail Currie on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 4:22 pm: |
In Sweden when we stayed there the VAT was around 15%. My boss travels a lot and in Arizona the room tax is 11%, in New York it is - are you read - 8.25% + 5% plus $2.00 for a city occupancy tax. That's $40 on a room that is $280 so you are actually paying $320. For Bonaire to add only $6.50 per night per room is very reasonable. And I think that a good travel agent will tell their customers up front about it at the time of booking. Even if you book directly they tell you. It's the same with a car rental and the insurance & taxes involved there. Just my 1% worth.
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By Jayne Tilsley on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 4:48 pm: |
FYI, VAT in the UK is currently 17.5%
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 7:43 pm: |
However in the UK when my wife used to shop for clothes, as non residents we were able to get the vat returned by filling out forms at the airport or submittint them once we arrived back in the states. That was more than 15 years ago and I wonder if it is still possible.
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 9:49 am: |
Yes and no.
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By Robert Deal on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 12:14 pm: |
Michael, I would say, "Yes." On our recent trip to the UK, the stores provided us with the necessary forms to fill out, if the total purchase of eligible goods exceeded 50 pounds sterling. These forms, accompanied by the items available for inspection, had to be presented to a customs official at Heathrow (allow extra time for the line) prior to departure.
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By Bill Meis on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 7:40 pm: |
Just Back last night..don't forget the $20.00 per person airport tax to leave Bonaire
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By Josie on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 9:44 pm: |
What would they do to someone who didn't have any money left? Make them stay??!!!
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By Kerri Freeman on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 10:44 pm: |
If they'll make me stay I may grab that plane. Josie, you and others using Pearson International will now pay an Airport Improvement Fee of $7.Cad. if you're considered just passing through. $10.Cad for every time passengers depart from PI.(not sure how you classify, check with your TA.) Re:taxes paid here by non-Res. last time I checked, you are entitled to tax back(like Britain)Think it's another file-a-form job. Will check again to see if there are changes. Although with the Canadian dollar falling like a .com, the US/Can dollar differential should still be comfortable.
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By Peggy Bowen on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 11:12 pm: |
When Ed and I spent 5 weeks in Canada last summer, we got $300 back for some of the tax we paid on rooms - not all places qualified. We didn't buy enough 'gifts' to qualify for getting that tax back. The forms were in the tourist office. You had to show 'gifts' at the border if you wanted to file.
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