The Ministry of Tourism will present in Parliament a bill that proposes exempting Uruguayans from VAT on hotels until February 28, 2023, announced the head of the ministry, Tabaré Viera, at the presentation of the summer season that was held in Punta del Este.
“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“, he assured in his speech on the podium.
Viera explained 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”.
“Internal tourism is very good, internal tourism saved Uruguay in the pandemic years. And that is why we are developing the Tourism for All program that has to do with the development of tourist packages offered to Uruguayans“, assured Viera
Among other issues, Viera pointed out that this summer “121 cruise ships will come until April of next year and that is work for transportation, for gastronomy,” he said. In turn, he said that efforts must be redoubled to improve air connectivity, which today is 75% compared to the last pre-pandemic stage. “Without connectivity we do not have tourists and without tourists there are no tourists“, he assured.
On the other hand, he said that $70 million will be invested in advertising and that the vast majority will be seen abroad, especially to attract Brazilian tourism.