Balala decries travellers' tax

Tourism minister Najib Balala has criticised a planned tax to be imposed on travellers by Britain to fight carbon emissions.

According to the Mr Balala, the Air Passenger Duty tax that, if effected, will start on November 1 will burden tourists and reduce tourism demand especially for developing countries.

A statement from the Ministry said the minister made the remarks Thursday during his address to the ongoing 18th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization General Assembly in Astana, Kazakhstan.

He said the new UK tax will negate the stimulus measures devised by some destinations such as the recent visa reduction by 50% and waiver for children under 16 years by Kenya. The UK is the leading tourism source market for Kenya.

“We should bear in mind that tourism remains the hope for a majority of developing countries given that agriculture has been seriously affected by the adverse effects of climate change," said Mr Balala.

He said that measures of dealing with carbon emissions should be innovative and appropriate but not punitive to developing nations. He urged the UNWTO to intervene in cases where taxes are imposed on travellers.

“There is need for this Assembly to come up with a strong resolution and message against such impositions” said the minister.

“This will go a long way in guarding the interests of tourism destinations and in developing tourism worldwide.”

In regard to travel advisories, Mr Balala called on the UNWTO General Assembly to lobby against issuance of indiscriminate travel advisories especially on developing countries.

“Travel advisories should be specific and targeting only affected areas and not entire destinations.”