Chile | Senate Chamber Approves the Bill to Reactivate Tourism

 

Chile, country in South America, with over 6000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean coastline stretching along a narrow strip of land overlooked by the Andes Mountains, the southernmost nation in the world and the clisest to Antarctica, through its Senate Chamber approves the bill to reactivate tourism and the promotion of the audiovisual industry.

The legal initiative, part of the Pact for Economic Growth, Social Progress and Fiscal Responsibility, seeks to promote the long - term sustainable development of the tourim activity given its multiplier effect on the economy and increase the entry of international tourists by at least one million a year.

To this end, it strengthens the International Tourism Promotion Fund with resources that will double the current contribution via the Budget Law, totaling $20 million per year, and will allow international visitors to request VAT refunds for purchases of goods to take as luggage outside the country.

To Complete the financing of all the measures established by the project including the International Tourism Promotion Fund, it is proposed to apply an accommodation tax to international tourists of 1.25% on the price per night of the contracted service, while they currently enjoy VAT exemption unlike national tourists.

The Undersecretary of Finance of Chile Heidi Berner said that the objective now is to approve the bill as soon as possible to be able to implement early in 2025 the new public – private governance of the International Tourism Promotion Fund and inject the corresponding resources into it.

The Undesecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo has pointed out the enthusiasm with the approval of the bill in the Senate room.

This advance marks a milestone for the tourist sector, as it will allow the implementation of concrete measures that will boost the arrival of international tourists, strengthen the promotion of Chile as a world - class tourist destination and, in addition benefit the local economy.

In this way, there will be a greater competitiveness for the country, through the refund of VAT to international tourists, the increase of resources for tourism and audiovisual industry promotions.

All that will translate into more employment and development opportunities for the regions and their communities.

Link- https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/104173_el_senado_de_chile_aprueba_el_proyecto_para_reactivar_el_turismo