The pier fee is back - but this time it's being enforced.
Vouchers are now required for each diver/snorkeler/fisherman (anyone getting picked up by a boat) to access the pier at these properties. But it's not that simple.
I have spent over 2 hours of my time the past week just gathering the correct information needed to purchase vouchers and then another 2 hours actually purchasing them for my divers today. It's a ridiculous process. Pay at the bank, then drive to the accounting office at Secrets Resort to present our receipt to pick the booklets up, go through security to gain access to the administrative offices then a 30 minute wait to be given the vouchers - no one seemed to know what was going on. So 4 hours of my time to pay a $2/diver/day pier fee that could EASILY be added to the "resort fee" that resorts around the world assess to cover things like pier maintenance with no impact to their guests or service providers, yet still collect the assessment.
The vouchers are in quadruple form and must be presented to the "Pier Police" in order for your dive boat of choice to pick you up at the pier. One sheet for the pier police when you gt on the boat, and one when you get off the boat - and the dive shop keeps a sheet and the boat keeps a sheet - this is for EACH diver EACH day! The charge is $2usd per day.
I will be treating it like the marine park fee and adding it to divers invoices who are staying at these properties. This is an expense assessed by the hotel so should not be expected to be absorbed by dive shops or tour providers. If we were to begin absorbing these costs, we'd have to raise prices across the board.
You have The Secrets management to thank for this added fee to your all-inclusive hotel stay.
Vouchers are now required for each diver/snorkeler/fisherman (anyone getting picked up by a boat) to access the pier at these properties. But it's not that simple.
I have spent over 2 hours of my time the past week just gathering the correct information needed to purchase vouchers and then another 2 hours actually purchasing them for my divers today. It's a ridiculous process. Pay at the bank, then drive to the accounting office at Secrets Resort to present our receipt to pick the booklets up, go through security to gain access to the administrative offices then a 30 minute wait to be given the vouchers - no one seemed to know what was going on. So 4 hours of my time to pay a $2/diver/day pier fee that could EASILY be added to the "resort fee" that resorts around the world assess to cover things like pier maintenance with no impact to their guests or service providers, yet still collect the assessment.
The vouchers are in quadruple form and must be presented to the "Pier Police" in order for your dive boat of choice to pick you up at the pier. One sheet for the pier police when you gt on the boat, and one when you get off the boat - and the dive shop keeps a sheet and the boat keeps a sheet - this is for EACH diver EACH day! The charge is $2usd per day.
I will be treating it like the marine park fee and adding it to divers invoices who are staying at these properties. This is an expense assessed by the hotel so should not be expected to be absorbed by dive shops or tour providers. If we were to begin absorbing these costs, we'd have to raise prices across the board.
You have The Secrets management to thank for this added fee to your all-inclusive hotel stay.
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