Argentina to refund hotel services VAT to foreign tourists
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The executive order requires the "direct and automatic" reimbursement to tourists of the VAT paid on hotel services using debit or credit cards issued overseas, officials told EFE.
Everything that in the past made Argentina seem a faraway country.
President Mauricio Macri
Legislation has been in place since 2001 covering VAT refunds for foreigners, but the implementing regulations covered only purchases of goods and had not been extended to hospitality services until now.
Macri urged the public and private sectors to work toward "strong tourism development," adding that globalization had turned the business "into a powerful industry without smokestacks that boosts quality employment around the world, (and) Argentina has a lot to offer."
"Everything that in the past made Argentina seem a faraway country, now work in favor" of the South American country because of the changes the government has introduced, Macri said.
"It is important to take advantage of the enormous opportunities opening up in our relationship with the world," the president said.
The government has concluded that refunding VAT payments will increase Argentina's appeal to foreign visitors and the flow of hard currency, boosting tourism businesses and creating jobs.
The executive order noted that neighboring countries, such as Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, offer similar incentives. ■