New rules of payment of tourist fee for foreigners introduced in Kazakhstan

In 2023, the budgets of akimats from this type of duty were replenished by 300 million tenge

Since August 1, new rules for paying the tourist fee for foreigners have come into force in Kazakhstan. From now on, fixed rates from 0.2 (690 tenge) to 0.5 MCI (1725 tenge) are applied to the tourist fee, which are determined by local maslikhats. Since the beginning of 2023, the budgets of akimats have received about 314 million tenge due to tourist contributions, the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Sports reported.

The ministry explained that the amount of the contribution is determined on the basis of statistical data on the tourist flow for the same period last year.

"If there are fewer foreign tourists than a year earlier, the maslikhat may reduce the rate to the minimum. If the number of tourists has increased, the amount of the contribution can be increased within the established amounts: from 0.2 MCI to 0.5 MCI. It is allowed to change the size of the tourist fee rates depending on the seasonality, but not more than twice a year," the ministry said.

The tourist fee for foreigners is charged for every day of stay in accommodation places, except hostels, guest houses, rental housing in cities and districts. For a part-day stay, a fee from a foreign guest is charged as for a full day.

The tourist fee is paid at the time of registration at the accommodation places. It is not included in the price of accommodation.

"The tourist fee for foreigners has been charged in Kazakhstan since the beginning of this year. However, following meetings with entrepreneurs and representatives of the hotel business, it was decided to revise the amount of the tourist fee. Previously, it was calculated as a percentage of the cost of living, and not in MCI. Currently, the issue of determining the categories of persons who will be exempt from paying the tourist fee is being worked out. However, this requires amendments to the laws, so it may take a long time," said Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev.