VAT BILL IMPLEMENTATION IN KENYA

Kenya Revenue Authority issued an  immediate effect to levy a 16 percent VAT on park and conservancy fees, has the tourism sector gotten yet more of the same as Serena Hotels published an announcement about the same happening to game drives offered in the parks as part of their air safari packages.







VAT Act 2013 – Introduction of VAT on game drives
Following the introduction of 16% VAT on game drives as per the VAT Act 2013 and the implementation of the same by the government as with effect from 2nd September 2013, we would like to inform our esteemed business suppliers that Serena Hotels will levy the 16% VAT on game drives – thus the air and ground packages prices as well as game drives prices ( non package arrangements) have been reviewed as with effect from 2nd September 2013.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued business support.

The sad fact though remains that several key tourism products have now been subjected to VAT, raising the cost of such packages by 16 percent and only time will tell how this ultimately pans out, if the market is good and ready to accept and absorb such increases or if it will impact on demand and reduce visitor numbers even further. Watch this space.