Colombia: Agencies ask for lower VAT on tickets and hotels

Travel agencies in Colombia continue to fight for more incentives for the sector by lowering VAT on tickets and hotels, and thus being able to have more competitive rates. In addition, they are asking for greater security in the country, promotion and infrastructure, as commented to REPORTUR.co Paula Cortés, president of Anato.

Anato’s plans for Travel agencies are to “continue working on our union management so that we have greater security in tourist destinations, national and international promotion of the country, incentives such as the reduction of VAT on Hotel and tourist services, and on airline tickets, going from 19% to a lower or differential value so that it is not more expensive to Travel in Colombia than abroad,” Cortés told this newspaper.

He also said that they will continue working, “through Fontur, to increase the infrastructure and competitiveness in the country; and continue creating commercial and training spaces to achieve greater linkage between Travel agencies and other entrepreneurs in the sector,” he told REPORTUR.co Courteous.

As reported by REPORTUR.coCortés recently explained how agencies have dealt with changes in airlines to connect directly with content. In the case of Avianca, as a result of implementing the NDC or the GDS, it has had to assume new technology costs. (Agencies raise costs to access airlines like Avianca).

“Travel agencies continue to receive incentives based on their sales volume. Something that has changed is that today there is an increase in the costs they have had to pay technology companies for the implementation of the NDC and thus connect directly to the airline, or through the GDS with the airline,” Cortés said.