By Charles Wokabi ,The Citizen Correspondent
In Summary
Last week, British tour companies evacuated more
than 300 visitors from Kenya following a warning by the UK Government of
impending terrorist attacks.
Nairobi. Kenyans working in the private sector will from next month enjoy paid-up holidays anywhere in the country, as the government seeks to revive the tourism industry reeling from insecurity.
In a statement released from State House, Nairobi,
President Uhuru Kenyatta said that from June 12, companies would be
allowed to pay for their employees going on their annual leave and
deduct such expenditure in their taxes.
“Through this measure, we shall directly give at
least 25,000 Kenyans a chance to go for a week’s holiday every month at
the expense of their employers, bringing over 300,000 additional Kenyan
guests in our hotels throughout the country,” Mr Kenyatta said. This is
part of a new raft of policy measures taken by the government to revamp
tourism, which is on its knees following the issuance of travel
advisories by major source markets due to high insecurity.
The steps were agreed upon during a crisis meeting
held at State House, Nairobi, between the President and stakeholders to
look into new ways of reviving a sector that is a key pillar to the
economy.
The initiative is meant to reduce the impact of the travel advisories, while in the long run boosting local tourism.
Last week, British tour companies evacuated more
than 300 visitors from Kenya following a warning by the UK Government of
impending terrorist attacks.
The government has also agreed to exempt all
air-ticketing services by travel agents from Value Added Tax (VAT) to
boost the country’s competitiveness as a preferred tourist destination
in the region. The exemption takes effect from May 29. And the Kenya
Revenue Authority was instructed to clear all outstanding income
tax-related refunds owed to the tourism industry, also by May 29.
“We expect this measure to improve sector liquidity and cash-flow,” Mr Kenyatta said.
The President also directed that all budgetary
resources earmarked for foreign visits at the National Government level
be reallocated to domestic travel to further boost tourism sector
recovery.
“Similarly, we urge Parliament and the Judiciary
to do the same. We also urge the county governments to do the same,”
said Mr Kenyatta.
The proposed changes will be factored into the Budget for the 2014/15 financial year set to be tabled in Parliament next month.
A decision was also reached to lift the ban
restricting the public service from holding conferences and meetings in
private hotels.
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