Players in the hospitality industry oppose African Union's new travel tax

By Philip Mwakio

Nairobi,Kenya:Players in the hospitality industry in Kenya are opposed to plans by the African Union (AU) to impose new tax on air travel and hotel stays in the region.

The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) Coast branch Executive Officer, Sam Ikwaye said that they are livid about plans by the AU to introduce new tourism taxes.

A recent meeting of the 56th Commission meeting that concluded in the Angolan Capital, Lwanda under the aegies of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) raised its objection to the move arguing that no prior consultations had been made.

Curtail efforts

Seychelles Minister in charge of Tourism and Culture, Mr Alain St Ange said that as ministers for Tourism they were not briefed on attempts to impose the said taxes.

“We have all been involved in lobbying to have the United Kingdom scrap carbon tax for long haul travel which is a disincentive for holiday traffic to Africa. And now we are seeing our own AU proposing just another tourism tax. It is hypocritical and it will hurt the tourism industry,’’ St Ange said.

Lydia Dentewo, general manager of Lake Bogoria Spa Resort located in the picturesque Rift Valley said tourism establishments cannot afford new tax increases.

“Lately, there has been sharp increases  in regulatory fees, costs of landing  and even attempts to introduce  VAT  on spare parts  on aviation components,’’ Dentewo said. Dentewo said if the move is effected, it will  curtail efforts being made to open up Africa’s airspaces.