Caribbean destinations pitting fees over experiences risk missing out
Published on February 24, 2026
Port St. Maarten Group CEO Alexander Gumbs
Caribbean ports and tourism authorities may be overlooking significant economic opportunities by focusing too heavily on increasing cruise head taxes and fees instead of strategies that boost visitor spending, according to Port St. Maarten Group CEO Alexander Gumbs.
In the debut episode of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Leadership Series, released this month, Gumbs shared candid insights with FCCA President Adam Ceserano, describing the current emphasis on taxation as often being approached without fully accounting for the broader economic contribution of cruise passengers.
“I think at times the item or the topic is looked at with blinders on … not looking at a wider impact of the industry,” Gumbs said.
Citing St. Maarten data, he noted that cruise visitors, who typically spend about five hours on island, average USD $163 per person. When adjusted for time, he explained, cruise passengers generate a higher per-hour spend than stayover visitors. “The average per hour spent from a cruise standpoint is higher,” he said.
Rather than concentrating primarily on fee increases, Gumbs advocated investing in compelling, high-value experiences that naturally encourage greater on-island spending.
