Tourism levy takes effect

ACCOMMODATION establishments in Namibia will from this month be required to pay a tourism levy to the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB).

The head of the NBT, Gideon Shilongo, told The Namibian that only camp sites and caravan parks are excluded from the levy, but they also have to register with the NTB to operate legally. All tourist accommodation establishments have to register with the NTB, which scrutinises the applications to determine if they meet the required standards for each class of establishment.Only those that meet the requirements are licensed to operate.The NTB has received about 1 000 applications for registration so far.Shilongo says the first levy for November and December will be payable at the end of January 2005.The levy amounts to two per cent of the fee paid for a room in a hotel, lodge or bed-and-breakfast establishment.Late payment will result in penalty charges of five per cent.All tourist accommodation establishments have to register with the NTB, which scrutinises the applications to determine if they meet the required standards for each class of establishment.Only those that meet the requirements are licensed to operate.The NTB has received about 1 000 applications for registration so far.Shilongo says the first levy for November and December will be payable at the end of January 2005.The levy amounts to two per cent of the fee paid for a room in a hotel, lodge or bed-and-breakfast establishment.Late payment will result in penalty charges of five per cent.