Hamster255
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 19, 2018
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Tanzania to tax air travellers $5 from October
Tanzania announced a security levy on air passengers, which businesses warn is likely to affect tourist numbers.
The new levy, which takes effect on October 1, is meant to help pay back for their new dreamliner that was over priced.
Tanzania Airports Authority director-general Richard Mayongela said foreign travellers boarding aircraft at major airports in the country will pay $5 while those on domestic flights will pay $2.
“The new levy is targeted at enhancing the development of airport infrastructure, and stabilising our outstanding payments for the new aircraft,” said Mr Mayongela.
However, airline executives say the new levy will make air transport in the country expensive, adding that several taxes and fees are already being charged. They fear it may scare away potential customers.
The current departure tax for domestic flights is Tsh13,000 ($5.7) while international departure tax is Tsh112,101 ($49) per passenger.
Alexander Van de Wint, a KLM official in Dar es Salaam, said airlines had sold tickets for up to the end of the year and asked the government to postpone the levy until January 2019.
Chief executive officer of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators Sirili Akko told The EastAfricanthat the levy “works against the government’s goal of increasing the number of tourists.”
M Akko said a reduction, if not abolition of all the fees, levies and taxes on auxiliary services in the tourism sector would have maximised returns from the country’s tourism and wildlife sector.
Tourism is Tanzania’s leading foreign exchange earner and a key economic sector.
Tanzania announced a security levy on air passengers, which businesses warn is likely to affect tourist numbers.
The new levy, which takes effect on October 1, is meant to help pay back for their new dreamliner that was over priced.
Tanzania Airports Authority director-general Richard Mayongela said foreign travellers boarding aircraft at major airports in the country will pay $5 while those on domestic flights will pay $2.
“The new levy is targeted at enhancing the development of airport infrastructure, and stabilising our outstanding payments for the new aircraft,” said Mr Mayongela.
However, airline executives say the new levy will make air transport in the country expensive, adding that several taxes and fees are already being charged. They fear it may scare away potential customers.
The current departure tax for domestic flights is Tsh13,000 ($5.7) while international departure tax is Tsh112,101 ($49) per passenger.
Alexander Van de Wint, a KLM official in Dar es Salaam, said airlines had sold tickets for up to the end of the year and asked the government to postpone the levy until January 2019.
Chief executive officer of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators Sirili Akko told The EastAfricanthat the levy “works against the government’s goal of increasing the number of tourists.”
M Akko said a reduction, if not abolition of all the fees, levies and taxes on auxiliary services in the tourism sector would have maximised returns from the country’s tourism and wildlife sector.
Tourism is Tanzania’s leading foreign exchange earner and a key economic sector.