With a great celebration, Uruguay presented the summer season
On Friday the 18th at night, the Ministry of Tourism organized an event that had the prominent presence of President Luis Lacalle Pou
Under the slogan "I went out to enjoy the best scenarios", the Launch of the 2022-2023 Season of the Ministry of Tourism was held this Friday, November 18, with the presence of the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou. There, the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera, announced that Uruguayan tourists will have zero VAT on hotels during the summer season.
The event was headed by the President of the Republic Luis Lacalle Pou, accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera, together with the mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antía; the undersecretaries of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio; of Industry, Walter Verri; of Foreign Relations, Carolina Ache; of Housing, Tabaré Hackenbruch; and of the Interior, Guillermo Maciel, among other national and departmental authorities.
Viera announced measures to promote domestic tourism, such as extending the zero rate VAT benefit for Uruguayans in hotels, until February 28, 2023. This initiative currently applies to non-resident tourists and will continue to be in force. “Uruguayans will enjoy zero rate VAT, for hotels that have a turnover of up to 1,500,000 dollars. This is attending to a reality, with the effort of the Government, ”he announced.
The minister recalled that tourism represents 8% of Uruguay's gross domestic product (GDP) and generates more than 100,000 jobs. Among the challenges, he mentioned the need to increase air connectivity, which has reached 75% of the pre-pandemic level. In addition, the ministry works to expedite the entry of visitors by land. For this, work is being done in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, with whom benefits for tolls will be announced in the coming weeks.
Regarding the cruise season, a "record" number of ships arriving in Uruguay is expected, as well as the number of tourists arriving.
Regarding promotion, the advertising campaign that will focus mainly on the region, with a strong focus on the Brazilian public, was recorded with the successful musical group MARAMA. Minister Viera reported that 70 million pesos will be allocated for it. The promotional video was presented on Friday night with a free show by the band that was open to the public at stop 12.
The event took place at the School of High Gastronomy of the Universidad del Trabajo del Uruguay (UTU), located in the Pedro Figari Parador, at Parada 12 in Punta del Este.
For his part, the Mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antia, announced that circulation was enabled on the La Barra bridge after the breakage of the lingas that compromised its structure.