Event organizers in Abu Dhabi won't need to pay tourism fees on ticket sales until December 31, 2024, as announced by authorities on Friday.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has prolonged the exemption of fees for making, distributing, and promoting event tickets in the emirate to boost the sector's growth. Typically, the tourism tax was 10 percent of ticket sales.
"The extension of the tourism fee waiver until the end of the year is part of our efforts to accelerate our growth and provide continued support to our event partners and organisers, who are integral to the tourism and entertainment ecosystem of the emirate,"
said Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, director-general of tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.
Event organizers must still obtain event licenses through the Abu Dhabi Events Licensing System, following set rules. They must also report their event earnings, provide financial documents, and work with auditors assigned by DCT Abu Dhabi to confirm their declarations. The exemption from tourism tax is one of several recent steps taken to promote growth in Abu Dhabi's tourism and events sector.
Additional incentives include decreasing tourism and municipality fees for hotels in Abu Dhabi, along with revisions to the holiday homes policy. Under this policy, farmhouse owners can now get licenses to turn their properties into holiday homes. Moreover, landlords and owners of residential units can acquire multiple holiday home licenses for several units.
News Source: Khaleej Times
