the tourism environmental sustainability levy

Seychelles’ Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy Takes Effect August 1

• July 8, 2023

The Seychelles’ tourism environmental sustainability levy will be effective as of August 1 with a three-tiered approach, said Vice President Ahmed Afif on Thursday.

The levy was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in its meeting on Wednesday.

Afif told reporters that “The government decided after several discussions with all parties to put the levy at R25 ($2), R75 ($6) or R100 ($8) which at the moment is the more agreeable way to implement it.”

He said that what has been agreed is that SCR25 will be for small hotels, SCR 75 for medium-sized hotel,s and SCR 100 for large hotels.

Afif said details on which hotels fall within which categories will be given by the Department of Tourism based on the existing legislation.

“The way it will be collected is when an establishment makes it invoice like they collect Value Added Tax (VAT) today, there will be a line on the invoice for the environment tax and will be based on per person per night,” he explained.

Afif added that “there will be an exemption for children under 12, staff of airline companies and Seychellois citizens.

On the question of whether this might affect Seychelles’ main tourism markets from Europe, the Vice President said this is not an exorbitant sum.

“For a small hotel a guest will pay SCR 25 and if the person spends 10 nights it will be SCR210 which is around $15 dollars it is not considered as a high cost. Of course, this will be higher for a guest in large hotels,” he said.

Afif said the important part is to advise clients early and explain its purpose and that sufficient time has been given for tourism establishments to inform visitors.

“We are not just collecting a tax […], the intention is to improve our environment in which the visitors are living and that we are aiming for renewable energy and this will need investment and this levy will be their contribution to help a small country that is doing a lot for the environment today,” said the Vice President.

He pointed out that Seychelles is one of the small countries that are the most affected by actions that have nothing to do with us and gave the example of the rising sea levels which is happening because of what is going on in industrialised countries.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

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SHTA launches petition to modify new environment levy   |03 August 2023

The Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA) has launched an online petition, calling on government to revise the newly introduced tourism environmental sustainability levy. 

The levy, which came into force on August 1, was initially announced during the 2023 budget address, and was given the green light by the cabinet of ministers last month.

It is being implemented in three tiers based on the size of the accommodation with those staying at small establishments being charged R25, while those in medium-sized and large hotels are required to pay R75 and R100 respectively, per person per night. The R100 charge also applies to yachts and island resorts.

Residents of Seychelles, staff from airline companies and all children under 12 are exempted from the levy, which is being collected directly by the tourism establishment upon checkout.

As per the government, it is a mean by which it can continue to deliver on its commitment to preserve “the breathtaking natural beauty of the archipelago, and promoting sustainable tourism”, and to further enhance conservation efforts and rehabilitation initiatives.

However, the SHTA has deemed the “imposition” of the levy as “ill-conceived and rushed” and is urging government to adopt a flat rate for all eligible visitors as opposed to the three-tier collection structure, in addition to removing the responsibility for collection from hoteliers.

Over 100 people have thus far signed the online petition to modify the payment and collection schedule.

In its most recent newsletter dated August 1, the SHTA states that it is “urgently seeking legal advice regarding the collection system being forced upon tourism establishments”.

Despite their discontent at the lack of notice as to the system and the cost of collection, the SHTA is encouraging members to momentarily abide by the measures, and to collect and pay the levy “under protest”, but to not confront tourists who express dissatisfaction and who refuse to pay.

“Government must now take full responsibility for the issuing of communications to alert tourists to the reality of the new levy and to take full responsibility for the reputational damage which will surely follow,” the newsletter states.

Chairperson on the SHTA, Sybille Cardon, explained to Seychelles NATION that the industry does not oppose the collection of an environmental levy, but, they are however against the discriminatory rates. Mrs Cardon states that they had proposed a flat rate of R50 per person, per night.

Furthermore, the Association is proposing that the levy should be collected by government through the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) upon departure, so hoteliers do not have to bear the hidden costs of collecting, especially since a number are still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Owner and director of Le Duc de Praslin hotel, Robert Payet, also shared similar sentiments, noting that he opposes the differential rates which will likely cause confusion among visitors, and most likely be problematic for hoteliers.

A good number of clients are not aware of the levy, given the short timeframe which hoteliers have been given for implementation, he added.

“We are not against a tourism levy, but we also need to consider whether it will make travels in Seychelles more expensive, if it will be problematic to our visitors. The more taxes and levies are introduced, clients will bear the brunt,” Mr Payet stated.

Mr Payet added that most visitors will willingly pay the levy if it is widely communicated through an effective marketing campaign towards a worthwhile cause.

Another suggestion from the industry is to have visitors pay the levy through the travel authorisation platform, or Travizory.

While a substantial proportion of the industries are dissatisfied with the fee and collection modality, others have no qualms about it.

Owner of a small establishment shared on social media that they have not received complaints from their clients in paying the levy, adding that “they understand the importance of it” and that it depends on how hoteliers pass on the information to guests.

According to the SHTA, concerns are not limited to accommodation establishments, as the yachting sector is also dissatisfied with how the levy has been designed and imposed. Although a lucrative sector for the Seychelles, the sector has recently suffered “enormous” increases in operating costs as compared to 2022, with increases in license costs, and safety certificates among others.

Fees applicable to clients are also on the rise, which could potentially reap negative impacts for the sector in going forward says the SHTA, based on its communication with actors from the sector.

Laura Pillay

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Seychelles’ Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy Takes Effect August 1

• Post date July 6, 2023
• No Comments on Seychelles’ Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy Takes Effect August 1

The Seychelles’ tourism environmental sustainability levy will be effective as of August 1 with a three-tiered approach, said Vice President Ahmed Afif on Thursday.

The levy was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in its meeting on Wednesday.

Afif told reporters that “The government decided after several discussions with all parties to put the levy at R25 ($2), R75 ($6) or R100 ($8) which at the moment is the more agreeable way to implement it.”

He said that what has been agreed is that SCR25 will be for small hotels, SCR 75 for medium-sized hotel,s and SCR 100 for large hotels.

Afif said details on which hotels fall within which categories will be given by the Department of Tourism based on the existing legislation.

“The way it will be collected is when an establishment makes it invoice like they collect Value Added Tax (VAT) today, there will be a line on the invoice for the environment tax and will be based on per person per night,” he explained.

Afif added that “there will be an exemption for children under 12, staff of airline companies and Seychellois citizens.

On the question of whether this might affect Seychelles’ main tourism markets from Europe, the Vice President said this is not an exorbitant sum.

“For a small hotel a guest will pay SCR 25 and if the person spends 10 nights it will be SCR210 which is around $15 dollars it is not considered as a high cost. Of course, this will be higher for a guest in large hotels,” he said.

Afif said the important part is to advise clients early and explain its purpose and that sufficient time has been given for tourism establishments to inform visitors.

“We are not just collecting a tax […], the intention is to improve our environment in which the visitors are living and that we are aiming for renewable energy and this will need investment and this levy will be their contribution to help a small country that is doing a lot for the environment today,” said the Vice President.

He pointed out that Seychelles is one of the small countries that are the most affected by actions that have nothing to do with us and gave the example of the rising sea levels which is happening because of what is going on in industrialised countries.

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Seychelles Implements Environmental Sustainability Levy

The levy is expected to foster a sense of collective responsibility, with tourists contributing to the preservation of Seychelles.

Brunno Braga • Jul 21, 2023

The Seychelles government has taken a bold step towards environmental sustainability in its thriving tourism industry by introducing an environmental sustainability levy. It will go into effect on Aug. 1. The Vice President, Ahmed Afif, announced the implementation of the levy on Thursday. He revealed a three-tiered approach aimed at ensuring a fair and inclusive contribution from tourism establishments.

The new tourism environmental sustainability levy may foster a sense of collective responsibility. Tourists are contributing to the preservation of Seychelles’ unique and fragile natural environment with this levy. By making this investment, Seychelles endeavors to set an example in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

Seychelles’ Cabinet of Ministers gave its approval for the levy during its recent meeting on Wednesday. This followed extensive discussions with stakeholders in the tourism sector. Vice President Afif highlighted that the government aimed to strike a balance between environmental preservation and the interests of all parties involved.

Under the new levy system, the government established three different rates. Small hotels will pay Seychellois Rupees (SCR) 25, which is approximately $2. Medium-sized hotels will pay SCR 75, which is about $6. Large hotels will face a levy of SCR 100, approximately $8.

The Department of Tourism will be responsible for categorizing hotels based on existing legislation to ensure accurate levy implementation. The levy will be collected like Value Added Tax (VAT). There is an additional line on invoices specifying the environmental tax. It will be levied on a per-person, per-night basis.

However, certain exemptions have been put in place to accommodate specific groups. Children, under the age of 12, airline company staff, and Seychellois citizens will be exempted from paying the sustainability levy.

Addressing concerns about the potential impact on Seychelles’ main tourism markets in Europe, Vice President Afif emphasized that the levy’s costs were reasonable. He cited an example of a small hotel guest paying SCR 25 per night, which would amount to only SCR 210 (approximately $15) for a ten-night stay. While acknowledging that the cost might be slightly higher for guests in larger hotels, Afif highlighted the importance of early communication to inform visitors about the levy’s purpose and encourage their support.

In a statement, Vice President Afif underscored the critical role of the sustainability levy in funding environmental initiatives and advancing renewable energy projects in Seychelles. He emphasized that the country, despite being small, disproportionately is affected by environmental issues, resulting from actions in industrialized nations. Rising sea levels are an example of the global impact on Seychelles.

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Seychelles’ tourism environmental sustainability levy takes effect August 1

• Post author: africareporter
• Post published: July 6, 2023
• Post category: Seychelles News

( Seychelles News Agency ) – The Seychelles’ tourism environmental sustainability levy will be effective as of August 1 with a three-tiered approach, said Vice President Ahmed Afif on Thursday.

The levy was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in its meeting on Wednesday.

Afif told reporters that “The government decided after several discussions with all parties to put the levy at  R25 ($2), R75  ($6) or R100 ($8) which at the moment is the more agreeable way to implement it.”

He said that what has been agreed is that SCR25 will be for small hotels, SCR 75 for medium-sized hotel,s and SCR 100 for large hotels.

Afif said details on which hotels fall within which categories will be given by the Department of Tourism based on the existing legislation.

“The way it will be collected is when an establishment makes it invoice like they collect Value Added Tax (VAT) today, there will be a line on the invoice for the environment tax and will be based on per person per night,” he explained.

Afif added that “there will be an exemption for children under 12, staff of airline companies and Seychellois citizens.

On the question of whether this might affect Seychelles’ main tourism markets from Europe, the Vice President said this is not an exorbitant sum.

“For a small hotel a guest will pay SCR 25 and if the person spends 10 nights it will be SCR210 which is around $15 dollars it is not considered as a high cost. Of course, this will be higher for a guest in large hotels,” he said.

Afif said the important part is to advise clients early and explain its purpose and that sufficient time has been given for tourism establishments to inform visitors.

“We are not just collecting a tax […], the intention is to improve our environment in which the visitors are living and that we are aiming for renewable energy and this will need investment and this levy will be their contribution to help a small country that is doing a lot for the environment today,” said the Vice President.

He pointed out that Seychelles is one of the small countries that are the most affected by actions that have nothing to do with us and gave the example of the rising sea levels which is happening because of what is going on in industrialised countries. 

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Indonesian authorities are preparing to enforce a new visitor levy after catching tourists behaving badly

Australians in Bali for holidays have been left confused by a new $15 tourism tax and efforts by police to enforce payment.

The levy, which is intended to help the island cope with millions of visitors each year, was announced last year after a series of incidents involving visitors desecrating holy sites and behaving badly.

It came into effect on February 14 and could bring in more than $80 million of revenue a year in Bali, which the government says will go towards cultural preservation and environmental measures — such as beach clean-ups.

But most holiday-makers are not paying it, with 60 per cent of tourists in the first month not forking over the money for the levy.

Staff are not forcing arrivals at the airport to pay the fee up-front, and some Australians the ABC spoke to were unaware of how to pay for it.

"I knew about the tourist tax, but nobody asked us to pay it — $15 is not much and if it goes to good use, it's fine to pay," said Rachel Fisher, who regularly travels to Bali.

Another regular visitor, Damien Tout from Melbourne, paid the tax online in advance but was surprised nobody checked the receipt when he entered at the airport.

"It could be another $50, we wouldn't care. We'd still come to Bali," he said.

But others weren't so ambivalent about the fee. On the first day of random spot checks by tourism police at the famous Uluwatu temple, some visitors were left visibly angry by the shakedown for money, as many others walked by.

Among them were families with children who had to stump up $15 for each person.

The ABC observed some tourists struggling to connect to a payment app to pay the fee, while many visitors showed officers their visa-on-arrival receipt, unaware of the separate fee.

The new levy comes after authorities introduced a "dos and don'ts" list at the airport last year , designed to remind visitors to be more respectful towards the island's predominantly Hindu culture.

Bali's plan to crack down on badly behaved tourists

The "dos and don'ts" list told visitors not to climb sacred trees, misbehave in public or wear inappropriate clothing around religious places.

The list was announced after authorities deported a Russian influencer for dropping his pants at a sacred mountain and a Russian woman for posing naked on a 700-year-old sacred tree.

A German woman was also placed in a medical facility after she roamed around naked and busted in the doors of a temple during a traditional dance performance last year.

Australians have also been accused of bad behaviour, with a woman caught on camera berating a local police officer who stopped her for not wearing a helmet while riding her motorbike.

An Australian man was also caught stealing a box of erectile-dysfunction medication from a pharmacy, while more recently, two Australians were hospitalised after they were involved in a vicious street brawl in Kuta.

The measures to improve tourist behaviour are also targeting visitors overstaying their visas or running businesses in breach of the rules.

Many are Russians who have flocked to the island since the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, with Indonesia a relatively welcoming destination for them.

"[For bad behaviour] we have the list on what tourists can do and what they cannot do in Bali," said I Ketut Yadnya, the head of promotions for the Bali government's tourism office.

"But the levy is different. We want our tourism to be sustainable, and to sustain it, we need to conserve the culture.

"So for that, we need, of course, some money."

New levy designed to help Bali cope with influx of visitors

The gentle rollout of the new levy has been designed not to spook foreign tourists from coming.

Before the COVID pandemic, Bali received more than 6 million foreign tourists in 2019. Post-pandemic, the numbers are creeping back up, with 5.25 million arriving in 2023.

Domestic visitors from other parts of Indonesia last year numbered more than 9 million.

Tourism officials want the economic boost of more visitors, even though locals on the island say it worsens traffic and the amount of garbage washing up on the famous beaches.

"Tourists of course [increase] rubbish, but a clean destination is part of what draws them to Bali in the first place," said Wayan Puspa Negara, a local politician who volunteers with a beach clean-up group.

"So the more rubbish that washes up on the beaches means our destination is less appealing."

To better manage the tourism influx, Ketut Yadnya from the tourism office says the levy will help fund programs like beach clean-ups, including buying better beach cleaning equipment, so that volunteers don't have to do it by hand.

"There's no fine if you don't pay, and tourists can still leave Bali at the airport, there's no problem," he said.

"We just need their awareness when they come to Bali, they have to know that Bali needs something to protect their tourism."

With the scheme still in its infancy, tourism police are offering some leniency to those who have failed to pay.

They have facilitated instant payment for visitors who have not paid, and even allowed them to pay later if they can not provide the cashless payment on the spot.

Locals fear the fee will deter travellers

Some Bali locals dependent on the tourist trade oppose the levy, believing it sends the wrong message.

Hamid Isnaini, a vendor in Kuta, believes $15 a person on top of a 500,000 rupiah ($50) visa-on-arrival fee might drive some visitors to rival destinations.

"They should let people come to Bali for free," he said, as a handful of tourists idled past his store, which displays Bintang beer singlets and boardshorts.

"Before the COVID pandemic, many tourists came to Bali because it was free to enter, but after the borders reopened, they introduced a visa-on-arrival fee."

He believes a second levy on top of that might deter a full rebound of pre-pandemic tourist numbers.

"We should be like Thailand, where tourists can enter without paying a fee," he said.

Other vendors selling clothes nearby agreed with him.

Mr Yadnya acknowledges there have been some teething problems with the new levy, but says the troubles are all part of "socialising" the idea of the fee.

The hope is that in the future, people coming to Bali will know about the fee and be willing to pay it.

"We need their awareness that they also have to be involved in conservation to preserve our culture," he said.

"If in future tourists come to Bali and the culture's been ruined, they won't see anything."

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