Latest news with #FCCA
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
ACCA survey shows high employability for accountants
KARACHI: ACCA's Global Talent Trends Survey - 2025, now in its third year has drawn responses from over 10,000 finance professionals in 175 countries. It has revealed major shifts in career-ambitions, workplace-expectations, and professional priorities in the accountancy profession, around the world, including Pakistan. A key finding is that 52% of finance professionals globally, including 63% in India and 80% in Africa, aspire to become entrepreneurs, highlighting accountancy's role as a gateway to business ownership. Around 62% expect to change roles within two years, with 58% planning to move outside their current organizations, posing a retention challenge for employers. Jamie Lyon, FCCA, noted that 'The report highlights a 'workplace in transition' where accountancy builds strong foundations for entrepreneurship and evolving career paths.' Experts have noted that; Sustainability is another rising priority, with 67% showing interest in environmental-finance careers. Meanwhile, 76% of professionals prefer hybrid work, yet 51% still work entirely onsite. Financial uncertainty persists; as 41% are expecting pay increases of over 11%, due to the cost-of-living crisis. At the same time, half of respondents worry they're not acquiring future-proof skills, and only 42% report their organizations provide AI learning opportunities. Diversity concerns also remain, particularly around age inclusivity, with 45% saying: certain diversity aspects are emphasized more than others. Mental health pressures are easing slightly, but remain a concern, with 52% saying work affects their well-being. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Fox News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Mexico rolls back its controversial new tax on cruise ship visitors
A tourism tax was rocking the boats in the cruise industry, imposing a charge on passengers. A $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico was voted in by the country's congress back in December, The Associated Press reported at the time. The Non-Resident Duty was to begin collection on Jan. 1 of this year. Then, due to strong criticism, the tax was pushed back to July. Now the tax has been dropped to $5 and will be implemented on July 1, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) confirmed to Fox News Digital. "On behalf of the FCCA and our member cruise lines – representing over 95% of cruise capacity in the Caribbean and Latin America – we thank the Federal Government of Mexico for working with us to reach an 'in transit fee' agreement," the FCCA told Fox News digital. The association added that the move "safeguards cruise tourism to the country and aims to enhance the benefits for local communities whose livelihoods depend on it." The fee will gradually increase to $10 on Aug. 1, 2026, then will jump to $15 on July 1, 2027, through July 2028. Starting August 1, 2028, the fee will rise to $21. Before the tax delay was announced, Fox News Digital spoke with Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy." He anticipated that some sort of "amicable solution" would be made between cruise industry executives following the initial tax announcement. He also said that cruise passengers may opt "to skip" visiting Mexico if they had to pay an additional fee. About 16.9 million passengers from the United States cruised in 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Travel Daily News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
As uncertainty grows, Aquila doubles down on destination training
Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence emphasizes training Caribbean destinations to deliver exceptional guest experiences amid economic uncertainty and rising global competition in cruise tourism. MIAMI – As the cruise tourism industry navigates global economic recalibration and rising geopolitical uncertainty, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is doubling down on its mission: training Caribbean destinations to deliver exceptional guest experiences, no matter the climate. At Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, Aquila Managing Partner Melanie Colpitts emphasized the growing importance of workforce development as a strategic advantage. 'When travelers are more selective with their spending, it's the destinations that consistently deliver excellence that will stand out,' said Colpitts. With the energy on the show floor buzzing, Aquila led strategic conversations focused on future-proofing the Caribbean's tourism product through long-term training investments. From cruise line executives to destination decision-makers, the message was clear: quality training pays off. Aquila, a leading training partner for the cruise industry for more than 15 years, unveiled new initiatives at the conference, including immersive VR-based programs developed in collaboration with Winged Whale Media. The team activated a dynamic takeover of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) booth, hosting live demonstrations, mini-training sessions, and interactive activities that illustrated how technology can enhance both the visitor experience and community capacity. Product development and sustainability were front and center in this year's training dialogue. 'Destinations want to build experiences that are not only memorable but meaningful and sustainable,' said Colpitts. 'It's about enriching the guest journey while protecting and celebrating the culture and communities that make the Caribbean so special.' With global economic uncertainty on the rise, Aquila is urging destinations not to retreat but to double down on service delivery. 'Even if arrivals dip, we must exceed expectations for guests. That kind of experience drives powerful word of mouth – and training is the foundation,' added Colpitts. As the official training partner of the FCCA, Aquila remains committed to raising performance standards across the Caribbean and Latin America, equipping destinations with the skills and tools to compete – and win – on the global stage.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cruise ship passengers must pay fee upon arriving in Mexico starting July 1
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Starting July 1, cruise-ship passengers arriving in any Mexican port will have to pay a $5 visitor fee. The Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association arrived at a compromise this week to implement the tariff on visitors. The FCCA represents 95% of cruise ships that make ports of call in Mexico. Mexico postpones cruise ship passenger fee for six months Six months ago, the Mexican government wanted to institute a $42 tariff on each passenger. After complaints from cruise ship operators and the FCCA, the fee was negotiated down. Over the next three years, however, the fee will increase to $21 per passenger. It will be added to the cost of a cruise, visitors won't pay the fee directly to the Mexican government. 'We are grateful to Mexico's federal government for collaborating with us to reach an agreement on the transit fee that protects cruise ship tourism increasing benefits to local communities whose livelihood depends on it,' read an FCCA statement. Visit the homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border According to the FCCA, about 3,300 cruise ships are expected to stop in Mexican ports this year bringing 10 million passengers with them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mexico just hit cruise passengers with a new 'visitor fee'— And it's not optional
In a recent development, passengers who arrive by cruise ships to any port in Mexico will have to pay up a $5 visitor fee. This rule will be applicable from July 1, as announced by the Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Both entities arrived at this compromise to derive a tariff from visitors to these ports. Just six months ago, the Mexican government demanded that this tariff per passenger should be $42, but after long talks with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the amount of $5 was fixed for now. This was mainly after complaints from cruise operators and the FCCA themselves. The fee was then negotiated on the basis of these complaints, citing the protection of cruise ship tourism. ALSO READ | After Ras Baraka's arrest, 2 other Democrats spotted breaching Delaney Hall ICE center However, according to Border Report, this amount will increase up to $21 in the next three years. Moreover, this fee will be directly added to the cruise package, and no separate payments have to be made by passengers to the Mexican government. The tour operators will be taking care of the same from their end. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association thanked Mexico's federal government in a statement, saying, "We are grateful to Mexico's federal government for collaborating with us to reach an agreement on the transit fee that protects cruise ship tourism, increasing benefits to local communities whose livelihood depends on it." As per FCCA data, more than 3,000 cruise ships will land up at Mexican ports over the year and will be bringing in nearly 10 million passengers. This would mean that Mexico's federal government will be earning more than $50 million in transit fee from cruise ship passengers within the year. Once this tariff increases, so will the government's earnings from it.
