Over the past decade, the tourism industry in Kyrgyzstan has shown impressive growth, made possible by the strategic decision in 2012 to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 62 countries and a simplified visa regime for citizens of 20 countries.
Today, the tourism sector in Kyrgyzstan is actively developing, accompanied by significant investments in modernization and the creation of new infrastructure.In 2024, more than 23 billion soms are planned to be used for the development of tourist infrastructure, which is 27.1% higher than the investment level in 2023. These funds will go towards the construction of new hotels, sanatoriums, recreation centers, and entertainment facilities.
The main foreign investments come from Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the USA, China, and Switzerland.
The experience of other countries shows that the tourist tax can be fixed or calculated individually and collected when visiting architectural monuments or during stays in certain regions.“Such a tax can be collected both upon entry into the country and upon exit, but most often it is collected during registration at hotels and other accommodation facilities. The funds from this fee are usually used for the preservation of natural resources, improvement of resort areas, maintenance and repair of tourist infrastructure, as well as for the design and construction of new facilities. Many countries have already implemented or are considering the introduction of such a tax,” notes the initiator of the draft law.
The introduction of the tourist fee contributes to the sustainable development of the tourism industry, increasing its contribution to the economy and strengthening Kyrgyzstan's competitive position in the tourism market at both regional and international levels. However, for successful implementation, it is necessary to improve the quality of tourist services and promote the brand of Kyrgyzstan beyond its borders, emphasizes the ministry.
The amount and procedure for paying the tourist fee will be clarified by the cabinet of ministers in case the law is adopted.
