The government of Kyrgyzstan plans to introduce a tourism tax for visitors entering the country, with discussions currently ongoing.
Media reports suggest that the tax will apply to foreign visitors staying in the capital, Bishkek.
A draft resolution from the mayor’s office, now open for public discussion, proposes a daily charge of 50 KGS (approximately $0.59) for guests staying in hotels, hostels, campsites, guest houses, and holiday rentals.
The new fee will not be included in accommodation costs. Instead, accommodation providers will inform their guests of the charge and collect it during registration.
Following Kyrgyz tax laws, all types of accommodations must use cash register machines. The fee will be paid in the national currency and can be accepted in cash or by bank card.
Tourist taxes are becoming increasingly common worldwide to address over-tourism and environmental protection as social distancing protocols have been lifted and tourists have begun to travel again.
Countries like Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Germany have introduced similar taxes to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism.
The primary justification for charging tourists is to invest the collected money in social projects and mitigate the negative impacts of over-tourism on the environment.
