Higher airport taxes in St. Lucia are set to take effect June
1.
The taxes include the reinstatement of the $35 airport
development tax and an increase in the airport departure tax from $25 to $38.
The taxes are added into the cost of an airline ticket and
apply to all bookings made on or after April 1 for travel from June 1 onward.
The funds will be used "to achieve government fiscal
and socioeconomic development objectives, including the much-needed
improvements to St. Lucia's airport," stated the St. Lucia Tourist Board.
Departure taxes in the Caribbean range from $20 in the
Dominican Republic (incoming passengers also must pay a $10 tourist visa fee)
to $25 in Cuba and $35 in Jamaica.