The Botswana Government has confirmed that it has cancelled the introduction of a US$30 tourism levy on visitors to country, with the aim of raising funds for the preservation of safaris resources.
Addressing a Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Conversation, Jimmy Opelo, said that his ministry had decided to withdraw with immediate effect the proposed Tourism Development Levy (TDL) Bill, which was scheduled to be tabled in December 2017.
“This withdrawal is to enable the Ministry and Botswana Tourism Organisation to conduct further engagement with various stakeholders,” he said.
Opelo said after conclusion of consultation with stakeholders there is a possibility that a revised version of the Bill would be re-tabled for consideration in accordance with established procedure.
Tourists were to pay the fee at the Botswana airport from June this year, however the tax excluded 15 countries that are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).