SETE has highlighted at every opportunity that overtaxation affects the competitiveness of the tourist product, employment rates, investment and, as a result, the whole of the Greek economy.
Referring to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ announcement on (07.05.19) on a series of new relief measures to take effect in 2019-2021, including the reduction of value-added tax (VAT) on restaurants and hotel accommodation, SETE underlined -through two letters to the Finance Minister, Mr. Euclid Tsakalotos- that though reduced taxation for accommodation, F&B and energy were in the right direction to ensure competitiveness of the Greek tourism product, they lacked strategic planning failing to include transport and the whole of the F&B product.
SETE recalled that over the last decade, VAT on F&B and transport tripled from 8 percent to 24 percent with adverse effects on the competitiveness of the tourist product.
In conclusion, taxation policy, incentives and relief measures should serve an overall plan of a permanent nature. An integrated national strategy for the future of the country.
