With the presence of the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, and the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera, the launch of the 2022-2023 summer season was held this Friday the 18th in Punta del Este.
Until February 28, Uruguayan tourists will not pay the value added tax (VAT) on hotel services and the current benefits for non-resident foreigners will apply, the authorities announced.
The presentation was developed at the School of High Gastronomy of the Universidad del Trabajo del Uruguay (UTU), located in the Pedro Figari Parador, at Parada 12 in Punta del Este.
The event was led by President Lacalle Pou, accompanied by Viera, together with the mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antía; the undersecretaries of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio; of Industry, Walter Verri; of Foreign Relations, Carolina Ache; of Housing, Tabaré Hackenbruch; and of the Interior, Guillermo Maciel, among other national and departmental authorities.
Viera announced measures to promote domestic tourism, such as extending the zero rate VAT benefit for Uruguayans in hotels, until February 28, 2023. This initiative currently applies to non-resident tourists and will continue to be in force. “Uruguayans will enjoy zero rate VAT, for hotels that have a turnover of up to 1,500,000 dollars. This is attending to a reality, with the effort of the Government, ”he announced.
The minister recalled that tourism represents 8% of Uruguay’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generates more than 100,000 jobs. Among the challenges, he mentioned the need to increase air connectivity, which has reached 75% of the pre-pandemic level. In addition, the ministry works to expedite the entry of visitors by land. He also highlighted that 121 cruise ships will arrive this season.
This Friday Maldonado enabled circulation on the La Barra bridge after the breakage of the lingas that compromised its structure, reported, meanwhile, the mayor Antía.
After the speaking part, the advertising campaign that the Ministry of Tourism will use to stimulate activity in Uruguay was presented, with a strong focus on the Brazilian public.
