Tanzania adds 18 percent VAT tax

Tanzania adds 18 percent VAT tax

Travel to Tanzania just got more expensive as the Tanzanian Government adds an 18 percent VAT tax.

World Expeditions says the additional tax will result in additional costs for travellers to the country from 1st July, 2016.

World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, says travel operators will be forced to pass on the 18 percent VAT tax to travellers to Tanzania which will be imposed on all tourism services.

These include supply of tourist guides, game driving, water safaris, animal or bird watching, park fees and ground transport services in the new financial year.

“As soon we had notice that the new tax was being proposed, we contacted all customers with bookings for our upcoming trips to Tanzania, suggesting that they pay any outstanding balances before 1 July, 2016, to avoid the additional charges,” Badyari said.

Unfortunately, there is no way of avoiding the 18 percent VAT tax for new bookings and we have no choice but to increase our tour prices to absorb the new tax, Badyari added.

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has said in a statement that the VAT charges for tourism industry would be counterproductive and will hamper growth of the sector which contributes to nearly 17 percent of the GDP.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]