The measure will be in force from December 15 to April 30, and aims to promote domestic tourism in Uruguay.
He Ministry of Tourism launched the 2023-2024 summer season in the department of Rocha with the presence of the president Luis Lacalle Pou, the Minister of Tourism Tabare Viera and the local mayor Alejo Umpiérrez. New connections and the implementation of VAT 0 for resident tourists Uruguay were the key announcements of the inauguration event.
The government has been looking for several months for a way to encourage internal tourism, to support a sector that has not fully recovered after the Covid-19 pandemic and that, on a still unstable basis, is also suffering the consequences of the exchange difference with Argentina: on the one hand, due to the projections of fewer visitors to this country – the main source of local tourist income; and, on the other, due to the greater number of Uruguayans who choose vacations on the other side of the border over economic convenience.
With this background scenario, the Ministry of Tourism launched the summer season 2023-2024 and made some announcements that point in this direction.
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First of all, Minister Viera announced the new air connections that will unite Brazil and Punta del Esteas well as those that will allow travel from one of the main spas in the country to Chili and Buenos Aires. These new frequencies that will depart and arrive at the Laguna del Sauce International Airport They will be with the airlines Paranair and Blue.
On the other hand, the head of Tourism confirmed an important measure that the sector had also been demanding for some months: the implementation of the 0 rate in VAT for Uruguayan residents. In that sense, between December 15 and April 30, hotel rates will not have this tax included for domestic tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism will subsidize 50% of hotel rates
Another measure recently announced by the portfolio led by Viera is the subsidy of 50% for hotel rates, with the aim of making the national offer more competitive compared to hotel options. Brazil and Argentina.
The measure contemplates a 50% subsidy for hotel rates intended for both public and private workers, and Uruguayans who have a monthly income of up to 50,000 pesos will be able to access it.
Each person who uses the benefit will be able to access the program with a companion, and the packages will be available in the hotels that sign up for the new program. Although the details will be known once the plan is finished being designed, Viera said in the Who’s Who program.
“It is to boost internal tourism for Uruguayans, trying to encourage and protect from the impact that comes from Argentina“explained the minister. In that sense, he added that they seek to “support” above all the small hotels.
Source: Ambito
