Argentina this year is waiving the value added tax (VAT) on hotel
stays for international travelers, as the South American country looks to
reverse a decline in international visitors.
The country will offer a rebate of the VAT tax (21% of the
hotel bill) to those who can present proof of a non-Argentinian identification
and payment via a non-Argentinian credit card. The policy went into effect Jan.
2.
The country estimates that the VAT waiver will boost annual
international tourism to Argentina by about 95,000 visitors.
In 2015, the most recent year tracked, Argentina’s
international tourism arrivals fell 6.1% from a year earlier to 5.74 million, the
largest percentage decline among South American countries, according to the U.N.’s
World Tourism Organization. Overall, South American international tourism
arrivals rose 1.4% in 2015, to 30.8 million.