Tour operators are dissatisfied with the draft by the Ministry of Finance that will not exempt them from paying Value Added Tax (VAT). They have been in uproars over what they believe is an “unfair tax” levied on the tourism sector, although it generates foreign currency. However, the law does not exempt the sector from VAT as it applies to the export sector.

Ethiopian Tour Operators Association (ETOA) President Andinet Feleke said that the association had asked the Ministry to revise the proclamation with claims that these organisations’ services be viewed differently. She said that although the Ministry had promised to look into it, the new draft did not change anything.

They are apprehensive about double taxation as they already pay tax dues when the tourist accounts for hotel fees. However, policymakers at the Ministry do not recognise tour operators as entitled to the exemption as the export sector enjoys.

The association has been working with the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations (AACCSA) to voice the dilemma. According to Secretary-General Shibeshi Betemariam, tour operators should not be imposed to pay this tax as they play a crucial role in facilitation.

A draft from the chamber with the voices of hundreds of tour operators on the verge of collapse was submitted to the Ministry of Finance three weeks ago. It suggested that tour operators pay the highest-low rate of six percent, mentioning other countries’ experiences, such as Greek and Spain.

Tourism has hit a rough patch in the past three years in the aftermath of the worldwide pandemic coupled with the two-year war in northern Ethiopia. The industry is apprehensive that adding tax to the dwindling business seals on their unfortunate fate. Tour operators have been subjected to 15pc VAT for nearly two decades following the Parliament’s approving an edict for business organisations that make over 500,000 Br transactions to register.

Currently, over 2,000 tour guides are estimated to be operating nationwide. Established in 2003, the association comprising 248 individuals and tour and travel agencies has seen 10 of them dwindle with the prospect of more shutting down.

“If the civil war hadn’t done the damage, the VAT affects tourism badly,” said Andinet.

Kibran Tourists Agency was incorporated two decades ago with three million Birr capital. After becoming a private limited company in 2006, its capital has increased to 7.5 million Br.

The founder Assefa Azene, recalls superintending to more than 2,000 tourists each year with five million Birr in annual revenues before the pandemic hit. With the business dwindling to almost non-existent, Assefa says he works with 20pc of his employees.

“I had to let go of forty people,” he told Fortune.

Tour operators claim that authorities should have extended a saving hand, considering what the industry has been going through for the last two years.