Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta working with key players in the tourism sector have announced major incentives to stem the death of the tourism sector.
He starts by acknowledging the damage caused by the global economic crisis and insecurity amongst other things, a Task Force to be announced shortly will work on fixing the mid-long term systemic solutions.
For the immediate, he has issued the following directives and provided their effective timelines:
1. GoK effective 12thJune allows employers pay for employee annual vacations and deduct expense from taxes
2. GoK effective 21stMay all air ticketing services by travel agents now tax exempt under VAT Act 2013
3. KRA must pay all outstanding income tax related refunds owed to Tourism players latest by this Thurs29May
4. GoK reduces all Tourism park fees to $80 and Ksh1,000 effective 12th June 2014
5. GoK has reduced landing charges to coast airports by 40% (local flights) and 10% (Internationals)
6. GoK has revoked Treasury circular,public service can now hold conferences in Tourism spots/private hotels
7 Funds allocated to expand Malindi Airport to international standards to allow for larger commercial craft land
8. All National Govt GoK foreign travel funds now reallocated to domestic travel in Supplimentary Budget II
9. Tourism Players pledge better domestic packages than internationals that are at AVG $60 per person full board
10. Tourism players & GoK to develop interactive Kenya Tourism Portal within week, to promote & manage domestic tourists
11. Tourism players & GoK to develop comprehensive promotional campaign within 2 weeks for local and International market
12. For mid-long term solutions GoK shortly constitute Task Force with target of 5 million guests annually in the next 5yrs
What are your thoughts?
For a full reading of the statement, please go to the following link -
http://www.scribd.com/do...se-Nairobi-23rd-May-2014