Rhode Island’s proposal to impose yet another cruise ship passenger fee may sound modest on paper, but in practice it is a shortsighted policy that risks un­dermining one of the state’s most visible and economically produc­tive tourism assets: Newport’s wa­terfront.

The governor’s plan would add a new $5 per-passenger fee on cruise ship visitors on top of the $10 fee enacted last year to sup­port infrastructure improvements along the waterfront and at New­port’s Perotti Park. Combined, that is a $15 charge on every cruise vis­itor before they even step foot in the city. While the goal of raising $1 million for the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority is understandable, using Newport’s cruise industry as the funding mechanism raises serious concerns about fairness and unintended consequences.

Cruise lines are highly cost sen­sitive. Ports across the east coast and Canada compete aggressively for itineraries, and even small pas­senger fee increases can influence decisions when multiplied across thousands of guests and dozens of sailings. Cruise operators have alternatives, and policies that steadily increase costs risk making Newport less competitive over time. Fewer port calls would trans­late directly into fewer visitors pa­tronizing local shops, restaurants, tour operators and cultural attrac­tions that depend on extended seasonal tourism.

Equally concerning is the mis­match between where the costs are incurred and where the rev­enue would be directed. Newport already shoulders the primary responsibility for managing cruise ship activity including harbor operations, marine safety, police and emergency services, traffic management, sanitation and in­frastructure maintenance. These ongoing municipal responsibilities intensify on cruise ship days and require careful coordination and investment.

Last year’s $10 per-passenger fee, dedicated specifically to im­provements at the cruise dis-em­barkment area, reflected a reason­able connection between impact and reinvestment. The newly pro­posed fee does not maintain that alignment. Instead, it would re­direct funds away from the host community to support a statewide transportation system that cruise passengers may not use while the city continues to absorb the oper­ational and public safety demands associated with cruise visitation.

If Rhode Island seeks to strengthen public transportation, it should pursue funding strat­egies that are broad-based and equitable rather than relying on a single municipality and a narrowly defined group of visitors. Funding statewide priorities should not come at the expense of the local communities that are already man­aging significant tourism impact.

Newport has demonstrated a commitment to thoughtful, re­sponsible tourism management. That effort depends on policies that recognize both economic re­alities and municipal capacity. Ad­ditional fees that risk discouraging cruise activity while offering no direct benefit to the host city run counter to that goal.

A more balanced approach that supports statewide needs without weakening local economic engines would better serve Rhode Island in the long term.

Erin Donovan-Boyle

President & CEO, Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

Matthew Vargas, chair, government affairs committee