Within the framework of World Tourism Day, the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism organized a gala dinner where President Luis Lacalle Pou participated, highlighting the strong human component in the field and the importance of maintaining air connectivity. Minister Tabaré Viera, for his part, called for deseasonalizing tourism with a focus on Uruguay’s strengths.
The Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera, explained that tourism is in a recovery process after the crisis suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, he considered it necessary to think about deseasonalizing it and ensuring that Uruguay’s strengths in infrastructure and quality of service add value to the offer and make it more innovative.
Regarding the next season, he reiterated the promotional campaigns, workshops and participation in fairs with the main objective of increasing the presence of Brazilians from Rio Grande do Sul, Chile and Paraguay.
Lacalle Pou considered that tourism is a sector of economic activity with a strong human component and that, given the incidence of this item in Uruguay, it is necessary to maintain the country’s connectivity over time. In this sense, he valued the presence in the country of airlines such as Gol, Copa and Azul, in addition to others of American origin.
He also assured that the Government receives international advice to strengthen the development of the country brand in this area. “After the pandemic, the tourist protects other elements that perhaps did not concern him before,” he pointed out.
And he added: “Uruguay’s result in the pandemic makes it a plus in recreational, human and environmental health issues.” The environment is perhaps the only matter that the less it transforms, the better it is, and Uruguay stands out in that, he indicated.
Arbeleche said that this item is essential for the country, for its contribution to economic activity, job creation and the dynamism it provides. He added that, in order to achieve the development of the sector, economic policy must be conducted in a responsible, consistent and dynamic manner.
He reviewed some of the measures adopted by the Executive Power to support it, such as the zero rate in hotels for non-resident visitors, the refund of value added tax (VAT) in gastronomy, catering, party or event services, car rental without driver and the tax credit for the rental of real estate for tourist purposes.
Among the resolutions addressed to residents, he recalled that the 10% VAT discount is still in force, the return of nine points of that rate until April 30, 2023 in the aforementioned sectors and the unemployment subsidy until the end of the year.
Similarly, Mieres expressed that the industry must adapt to a new world after the pandemic, with challenges to create other opportunities and jobs.
The event was attended by the National Director of Tourism, Roque Baudean, the secretary and deputy secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado and Rodrigo Ferrés, authorities of the aforementioned chamber and the Center for Studies of Economic and Social Reality (Ceres), as well as Mayors and Directors of Tourism from all over the country.
