VAT Impact on UAE Tourism

VAT Impact on UAE Tourism

VAT Impact on UAE Tourism Industry


Over the years, the GCC countries have collectively hosted millions of tourists, with arrival numbers increasing in most destinations. The likelihood in the GCC context is that hospitality and leisure companies will make supplies which would be considered as taxable. So people are eager to know the impact in detail.

The UAE government has yet to issue its executive order detailing procedures and systems for VAT refunds to tourists. In any case, the normal effect on the business has been portrayed as "not applicable/relevant" concurring tax law veteran Franco GrilliCicilioni from Galadari Advocates and Legal Associates in Dubai.

VAT is probably going to acquire remarkable changes the way business is at present being done byhospitality firms. It will influence them to revamp their supply chain and marketing strategy. This division contributes a critical add up to the GDP of the UAE. According to media reports available in the public domain, hospitality revenue in the UAE is forecast to increase to $9.8 billion by 2020. For this reason, the impact of VAT on this sector needs to be closely monitored. The industry is expecting that the government will strike a balance and will not saddle the hospitality and tourism industry with too many extra costs in order to avoid a large impact on the consumer which may lead to decline in demand.

From January 1, meals in restaurants will be levied with a 5% VAT. In general, VAT will mean an increase in prices for individual consumers but the increase will be marginal because of the basic nature of VAT and the way it works in the form of credits and basic exclusions. VAT-enlisted organizations in the UAE will likewise have the capacity to assert VAT credit for travel-related costs incurred for business purposes, thus negating the overall impact on price increases.

The UAE is known as a mainstream area for goal weddings, shopping celebrations and games occasions. Thinking about this, it is normal that a VAT discount plot for travelers would be acquainted with keep on maintaining the charm of the UAE as a favored goal.

When it comes to tours and travel there are various things to take a gander at while deciding VAT risk. Particularly for air travel, there are several charges ranging from excess baggage charges, cancellation charges, no-show charges, to on-board food and beverage charges each of which have different tax treatments.

It is widely observed that UAE businesses are currently planning to evaluate the effect of VAT and get used to the progressions it will bring which is an appreciated move. Awareness workshops led by the Federal Tax Authority are demonstrating to a great degree valuable and useful for the hospitality and tourism industryas far as being more aware and taking informed business choices. Subsequent to looking at the effect of VAT on the hospitality industryand others, we can see that VAT isn't just an assessment or bookkeeping change yet a general business change. A well planned arranged VAT effect and usage methodology will enable organizations to be not just VAT prepared and consistent on the very beginning yet in addition to guarantee the same old thing and even use certain tax optimization strategies to enhance their prices and pick up a focused edge.