BLANTYRE (Maravipost)–Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture in Malawi has said government will take appropriate measures to deal with all tourism operators who are not remitting tourism levy.
Kondwani Nankhumwa said in an interview that it is an offence under the laws of Malawi (Tourism and Hotels Act) to collect and not remit the tourism levy as this constitutes fraud.
According to the Minister, every tourism enterprise is required to charge 1 percent levy on all its services and remit the same into the Tourism Marketing Fund not later than the 13th day of every month for all sums levied on its services for the preceding calendar month.
“The Tourism Marketing Fund was set up to provide a sustainable financing for the of the country’s tourism attractions and other facilities.
“How can we advance the industry if when operators don’t comply with the laws? They need to comply with laws,” said Nankhumwa.
The Minister also hailed operators who have consistently complied with the provisions of the Act and commended and encouraged them to continue in this joint destination marketing objective.
“However, there are a number of operators who have been collecting the levy and not remitting the same as required by the law.
“Others have consistently underpaid the levies for a long time since its resumption in 2010. The Ministry wishes to remind all operators that this is an offence under the laws of Malawi (Tourism and Hotels Act) Cap 50:01 in terms Section 15(10) to collect and not remit the tourism levy as this constitute fraud,” said Nankhumwa.
He therefore warned all operators, who have not been responding to various notices about non-compliance and those not collecting the levies in the line with the laws, that government would withdraw their operating licences of all non-complying units and those with arrears on tourism levy.