Minster of natural resources and tourism Prof. Jumanne Maghembe said Tanzania is losing million 350 dollars every year due to use cash instead of credit cards in the national game parks yesterday.
He said the bank of Tanzania (BOT) should come up with plan to encourage tourists visiting the tourist attractions to use electronic payment (credit card) as much as possible, because commercial banks are capable handling.
Prof. Maghembe said the country is losing a lot revenues because of using cash transactions instead of credit cards, adding that credit cards are easiest way of clamping down on tax evasion.
Prof. Maghembe made statement yesterday he was officially launching Karibu Kusini- Tanzania Southern Circuit’ tourism exhibition on behalf Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa held at the Kichangani grounds in Iringa municipality, Iringa, the tourism exhibition week will begin on 27 September to 02 October 2017.
The tourism fair was organized by southern regions which comprise of Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya, Songwe, Katavi, Rukwa and Ruvuma in collaboration with the ministry of natural resources and tourism, the small-scale industries organization (SIDO) and various stakeholders organize exhibitions.
The tourism exhibition is going together with the world tourism day in 2017, as well as exhibitions of entrepreneurship products from the southern regions of southern and southern Tanzania.
For 2017 the world tourist day is headed by the slogan, "TOURISM IS THE PILLAR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT."
Maghembe said new government has made cracking down on tax evasion as its top priority, so with use of credit cards in the national parks will reduce tax evasion.
He said the enterprises in the sector should encourage using cards so there can be lots of foreign currency ‘in the country.
Prof. Maghembe suggested that credit card use being made mandatory for transactions so that country earns revenues, hence increase in national income and poverty reduction.
“I know most the enterprises will not like the use of credit cards in doing business with tourists because they don’t want to be known by the government and at the evade tax payment. ”
He further stated that the number of tourists visiting the national parks have tremendously increased this year compare to last by 25 percent.
But, tourist operators urged the government to allow tourists visiting any destination to take a mix of credit card, cash and whatever.
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