The Senate approved the VAT exemption for Uruguayans and residents in the tourist season

The project was approved without modifications and must now go to Deputies for final approval.

“It is great news because it shows the willingness of the government to listen and access those things that are raised with criteria. I promise that next week you will be in Parliament. Will surely vote for him quickly“, Viera had assured in his speech on the podium.

Viera had detailed that the project will be for hotels “smaller” that have a turnover of up to US$ 1.5 million and also to face the “unfair competition from those who pay nothing”.

The Ministry of Tourism wait a good season with an influx of Argentines with good purchasing power that, despite the exchange difference, it is expected that they will opt for the Uruguayan coasts in the summer. It is also expected that the season will be enhanced with a record number of cruises who have already confirmed their stopover in Montevideo and Punta del Este. For the rest of the year the official bet is the business and event tourism.

The exchange difference with Argentina is clear and known to all. A massive departure of Uruguayans who crossed the pond in search of shopping tourism was observed in recent months. Nevertheless, Tabare Viera believes that this situation will change in the summer and will not affect outbound tourism. The rationale is simple: Uruguay has a better coastal offer than Argentina, said in an interview with The Observer on November 16.