This fee will be classified as a non-tax payment and will be collected from visitors to the country upon their entry, exit, and, in most cases, during registration at their places of accommodation.
Currently, the draft law is in the public discussion stage.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Finance, the number of foreign tourists visiting Kyrgyzstan has increased from 300,000 in 2012 to 9 million in 2024.
In 2023, more than 23 billion soms were invested in the construction of tourist infrastructure, which is 27.1% more compared to the previous year.
According to the justification report, the main investors in the tourism sector are Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the USA, China, and Switzerland.
The Ministry also emphasized that tourist fees and taxes are an effective tool for developing tourist infrastructure and managing tourist flows in different countries. To develop regional tourist infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan, state support and the search for alternative funding sources are necessary.
“The implementation of this proposal will contribute to the sustainable development of tourism, increase its contribution to the economy, and maintain Kyrgyzstan's competitiveness on the international stage,” the Ministry of Finance stated.
According to the document, the payers of the tourist fee will be the owners or renters of temporary accommodation places, such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, sanatoriums, and recreation centers. The fee will be collected from individuals who temporarily reside in these establishments.
The Cabinet of Ministers will determine the amount, calculation procedure, and deadlines for the payment of the tourist fee.
