He Ministry of Tourism will drive during this summer 2024 a series of benefits to promote activity in the sector, with the aim of nourishing the visiting season, with the expectation of a greater influx of citizens of Brazil, but also the expected arrival of Argentines after the elections in that country and the search to consolidate the movement of Uruguayan residents.
The projections for this summer break are more than positive, even more so considering that the country exceeded the number of visitors it had received in all of 2022 during the first three quarters of the year.
In this scenario, foreign tourists left 305 million dollars in the country in the third quarter and reached the best record since 2017, which is why the government and different actors in the sector are preparing benefits for this season.
Zero VAT for residents
One of the measures promoted by Ministry of Tourism and that was successful last summer will be the zero VAT for residents, which proposes not charging this tax in hotels to Uruguayan tourists from the 15th of this month until March 31, 2022.
It will cover amounts less than 10 million Indexed Units (UI) and governs registered hotels that are registered as apart hotels, hotels themselves, motels, inns, rural tourism establishments, accommodations and spaces with similar characteristics.
This is an initiative that seeks to consolidate growing domestic tourism, but also a way to maintain competitiveness with Argentina, where many Uruguayans end up planning their vacations to take advantage of the exchange difference.
Differential VAT for foreigners
On the other hand, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) approved the reduction of the VAT for non-resident tourists until April 30, 2024, granting a tax credit for 10.5% of the gross value of the rented price.
Previously, the wallet that leads Azucena Arbeleche had extended by decree the 9% discount to VAT, as long as it is made with electronic payments, for gastronomic services, rental of vehicles without a driver, mediation services in the rental of properties with a tourist destination and catering services, among others.
Tourism For Everyone Arrives
One of the new launches for this summer is the arrival of the Tourism For All, which will begin in February and will be aimed at dependent and independent workers who have an income equal to or less than 9 BPC (50,000 pesos).
In this framework, the government will provide a 50% subsidy on accommodation, for five-day stays from Sunday to Thursday for hotels registered in the Ministry of Tourism and that they adhere to the program.
Discounts on fuel
On the other hand, the government continues to offer a discount that reaches 40% on fuels in border areas with Argentina, intended for tourists who pay with a debit or credit card in Fray Bentos and Puerto Unzué, Paysandú and Colón, and Salto and Concordia.
Something similar will happen at the border crossings with Brazil, located in Chuy, Río Branco, Aceguá, Rivera, Artigas and Bella Unión, where the discount will be 24%.
Follow the Tax Free regime
In addition, during this summer 2024 the regime will remain in force. Tax Free, Valid for purchases made in stores participating in the system, which implies tax refunds and refunds of up to 14.4%.
This measure applies to border crossings such as the Carrasco International Airport, Laguna del Sauce Airport, Port of Montevideo, Port of Colonia, Punta del Este Cruise Arrivals Terminal, Salto-Concordia Bridge, Paysandú-Colón Bridge, Fray Bridge Bentos-Puerto Unzué and Chuy.
More flights and connectivity
On the other hand, from the tourist portfolio that leads Tabare Viera they announced that Uruguay This season it will have at least 37 connections with 14 different destinations for tourists.
The country has 11 airlines that fly to Buenos Aires (Ezeiza and Aeroparque), Asunción, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Madrid, Panama, Porto Alegre, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro and Miami, destination to which it is expected to begin traveling daily in the coming days, while the Azul company added two flights to Curitiba.
Source: Ambito