Entry and Exit Fees for Tourists to Bolivia
MABB ©
Bolivia has been charging tourists fees for entry and exit in to the country. Many tourists do not know they pay such fees because often such charges are hidden in the ticket prices. Bolivia is not alone charging such tourism fees in the region.
Departure fees
Bolivia charges tourists a 327 Bs fee per person when they leave the country by air. That is equivalent to around 47,40 US$, at current exchange rates. The fee is called Tax on Departures to the Exterior (ISAE, Impuesto a Salidas al Exterior) and was created by article 106 of Law 843. The fee is applicable to any country departure by air, of natural persons residing in or visiting Bolivia, with the exception of government officials, diplomats and their families and members of sport delegations that fulfill activities in official representation of the country. It is stipulated that the charge be included in the price of a ticket. In 2013, the ISAE was valued at 266 Bolivianos; in 2014, at 281 Bolivianos; in 2015, at 296 Bolivianos, and in 2016, at 314 Bolivianos, according to the Bolivian tax authority (Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales), SIN data. The revenues are supposed to go to the implementation of plans, programs and projects to promote Bolivian tourism.
The fee has been deemed by the national airline association (Asociacion de Aaerolineas, ALA), as one of the highest in the region and one which discourages travel to the country. ALA's general manager, Yanela Zárate, highlights the disadvantages by quoting the fees in other neighboring countries. She argues that the same charge in other countries does not exceed 35 US$. For example, in Peru it is 30.25 dollars, in Colombia 33 dollars if the stay is short and if it lasts for more than two months the rate reaches 66 dollars. In Venezuela it reaches 44 dollars. She also illustrates: "For example, a family of four who travels abroad ends up paying almost $ 200 and if a traveler must leave several times, he must pay the tax on each trip". Finally, she added the fee goes directly to the coffers of the General Treasury of the State and does not generate any return for tourism.
Entry fees
Since February 2017, Bolivia has been charging an entry fee of 100 bolivianos (about 14,50 US$ at today's rate) to tourists who enter Bolivian territory by air. The payment of 30 bolivianos (4 dollars) to tourists who arrive by land has been deferred, for operational reasons, until 2019, according to the provisions of the new norm and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Joaquín Rojas. The Law for the Creation of the Fund for Promotion, Promotion and Facilitation of Tourism and Special Contribution will allow financing "the elaboration and implementation of plans, programs and / or projects to promote Bolivia" abroad, he points out.
The tax to tourists arriving by air will be included in the plane ticket, said Rodas, adding that "we have given two years to implement (the charge) in the income by land." Diplomats and staff of foreign organizations, airline crews and children under two years of age are exempt from this payment.
The Government estimates that around 20 million bolivianos per year will be raised, which will be included in the Fund for the Promotion and Promotion of Tourism (FONTUR). The purpose is to finance the development and implementation of tourism plans, programs and projects in the national territory. Official sources assured that the tax will not affect the tourist flow and that the amount is low, compared to that imposed by countries such as Peru or Colombia.
Sources:
http://www.paginasiete.bo/economia/2017/3/8/tributo-salidas-pais-esta-entre-altos-region-129838.html
http://www.paginasiete.bo/economia/2016/12/31/desde-2017-bolivia-aplicara-impuesto-turistas-122248.html
Bolivia has been charging tourists fees for entry and exit in to the country. Many tourists do not know they pay such fees because often such charges are hidden in the ticket prices. Bolivia is not alone charging such tourism fees in the region.
Departure fees
Bolivia charges tourists a 327 Bs fee per person when they leave the country by air. That is equivalent to around 47,40 US$, at current exchange rates. The fee is called Tax on Departures to the Exterior (ISAE, Impuesto a Salidas al Exterior) and was created by article 106 of Law 843. The fee is applicable to any country departure by air, of natural persons residing in or visiting Bolivia, with the exception of government officials, diplomats and their families and members of sport delegations that fulfill activities in official representation of the country. It is stipulated that the charge be included in the price of a ticket. In 2013, the ISAE was valued at 266 Bolivianos; in 2014, at 281 Bolivianos; in 2015, at 296 Bolivianos, and in 2016, at 314 Bolivianos, according to the Bolivian tax authority (Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales), SIN data. The revenues are supposed to go to the implementation of plans, programs and projects to promote Bolivian tourism.
The fee has been deemed by the national airline association (Asociacion de Aaerolineas, ALA), as one of the highest in the region and one which discourages travel to the country. ALA's general manager, Yanela Zárate, highlights the disadvantages by quoting the fees in other neighboring countries. She argues that the same charge in other countries does not exceed 35 US$. For example, in Peru it is 30.25 dollars, in Colombia 33 dollars if the stay is short and if it lasts for more than two months the rate reaches 66 dollars. In Venezuela it reaches 44 dollars. She also illustrates: "For example, a family of four who travels abroad ends up paying almost $ 200 and if a traveler must leave several times, he must pay the tax on each trip". Finally, she added the fee goes directly to the coffers of the General Treasury of the State and does not generate any return for tourism.
Entry fees
Since February 2017, Bolivia has been charging an entry fee of 100 bolivianos (about 14,50 US$ at today's rate) to tourists who enter Bolivian territory by air. The payment of 30 bolivianos (4 dollars) to tourists who arrive by land has been deferred, for operational reasons, until 2019, according to the provisions of the new norm and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Joaquín Rojas. The Law for the Creation of the Fund for Promotion, Promotion and Facilitation of Tourism and Special Contribution will allow financing "the elaboration and implementation of plans, programs and / or projects to promote Bolivia" abroad, he points out.
The tax to tourists arriving by air will be included in the plane ticket, said Rodas, adding that "we have given two years to implement (the charge) in the income by land." Diplomats and staff of foreign organizations, airline crews and children under two years of age are exempt from this payment.
The Government estimates that around 20 million bolivianos per year will be raised, which will be included in the Fund for the Promotion and Promotion of Tourism (FONTUR). The purpose is to finance the development and implementation of tourism plans, programs and projects in the national territory. Official sources assured that the tax will not affect the tourist flow and that the amount is low, compared to that imposed by countries such as Peru or Colombia.
Sources:
http://www.paginasiete.bo/economia/2017/3/8/tributo-salidas-pais-esta-entre-altos-region-129838.html
http://www.paginasiete.bo/economia/2016/12/31/desde-2017-bolivia-aplicara-impuesto-turistas-122248.html
