News / National
High taxes making Zimbabwe expensive
25 Feb 2015 at 07:22hrs | Views
The tourism industry says high taxes are chiefly responsible for making Zimbabwe an uncompetitive destination. The Zimbabwe Council for Tourism said last week that such taxes as the 15% value added tax collectible on foreign visitor's accommodation were an obstacle to growth and development and would serve to make the country a more expensive and less competitive destination.
After viciously and extensively lobbying government not to extend VAT on accommodation for foreign visitors, the travel and tourism industry was excited when the treasury appeared as if it had acceded to their demands.
The industry was surprised when the tax collector, the Zimra instructed operators to collect the tax beginning last month.
Zimbabwe's tourism services are deemed exorbitant with a hotel room in Victoria Falls going for as much as $400 compared to about $90 in Botswana with better facilities.
After viciously and extensively lobbying government not to extend VAT on accommodation for foreign visitors, the travel and tourism industry was excited when the treasury appeared as if it had acceded to their demands.
The industry was surprised when the tax collector, the Zimra instructed operators to collect the tax beginning last month.
Zimbabwe's tourism services are deemed exorbitant with a hotel room in Victoria Falls going for as much as $400 compared to about $90 in Botswana with better facilities.
Source - Zim Mail
