The tourism sector of Uruguay finds itself in a dichotomy: while waiting for a good reception of the brazilian tourism, the arrival of Argentine tourists remains a mystery due to the political and economic uncertainty that the country suffers; For this, the sectors involved have been proposing a series of measures to prop up the market.
In dialogue with Ámbito.com, the president of the Maldonado Business Chamber, Rolando Rozemblum, announced that the sector presented to the government of Luis Lacalle Pou a series of measures to alleviate a future that seems to have gray clouds. Among them is the implementation of a differential exchange rate during the season, between December and Tourism Week.
The initiative consists of raising the price of the dollar to around 50 pesos —yesterday it closed at almost 39.4 pesos—, a value calculated based on the nominal exchange rate that would result in tourism spending in current dollars remaining at summer 2019 levels.
On the other hand, the director of Tourism of the Municipality of Maldonado (IMM), Martin Laventure, established that the department will try to get the Value Added Tax (VAT) be “zero” in hospitality becomes permanent. While another of the measures implemented by the national government to encourage tourismthe VAT refund in the gastronomic sector is also no longer temporary.
Another of the measures that will be tried to be carried out is the declaration of the Tourism State of Emergencyin a context of uncertainty regarding the Argentine market, accompanied by low competitiveness against the dollar that makes Uruguayans choose international destinations to spend your vacation.
On the other hand, there is the measure that has been tried to be applied for more than two months – of which there is still no news – that aims to extend the zero rate to the VAT not only for foreign tourists, but also for Uruguayan residents, with the aim of promoting internal tourism.
As confirmed by the president of the Maldonado Business Chamberthe proposal was well received by President Lacalle Pou, who promised to review the measures with his economic team.
Meanwhile, the benefits for foreign tourists imposed for last season will remain in force. Among them is the VAT refund on Hotels and accommodation and the collection of 9% VAT on gastronomic servicesparties, events and car rentalsas well as a 30% discount on fuel paid with credit and debit cards.
Source: Ambito
