NTB intensifies tourism levy compliance … warns defaulting operators
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has intensified its Tourism Levy compliance drive and is calling on all registered accommodation establishments with outstanding levy payments or returns to regularise their accounts without delay. Tourism levy compliance is a legal obligation, not an optional administrative requirement. Every registered accommodation establishment is required to collect the prescribed tourism... The post NTB intensifies tourism levy compliance … warns defaulting operators appeare
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has intensified its Tourism Levy compliance drive and is calling on all registered accommodation establishments with outstanding levy payments or returns to regularise their accounts without delay. Tourism levy compliance is a legal obligation, not an optional administrative requirement.
Every registered accommodation establishment is required to collect the prescribed tourism levy from guests on behalf of NTB and remit it within the prescribed timeframe following each two-month levy period. According to Flora Quest, corporate communication manager for the Namibia Tourism Board, each payment must be supported by a fully completed tourism levy return and proof of payment.
“Submitting a payment without the required documentation may prevent NTB from correctly allocating and reconciling the amount against the operator’s account.
“Through the ‘KNOW NTB Register. Comply. Thrive’,” campaign, NTB is increasing awareness, account verification and compliance monitoring across the tourism sector. The campaign is intended to educate operators, encourage voluntary compliance and ensure that all regulated businesses operate on an equal and lawful basis,” she said.
Furthermore, NTB is concerned that some establishments continue to delay levy payments, fail to submit the required returns or operate without verifying whether previous payments have been correctly allocated.
“These practices weaken regulatory accountability, undermine compliant operators and affect the reliability of tourism statistics used for national planning and destination development. “In addition, operators are reminded that late levy payments attract an additional charge of 5% of the outstanding amount for every month, or part of a month, during which the amount remains unpaid.
“Where an outstanding levy or additional charges are not paid within 14 days after a written demand from NTB, the matter may constitute an offence and result in prosecution. Continued non-compliance may also lead to regulatory action, including the possible withdrawal of registration, subject to the applicable legal processes,” Quest further added. “NTB therefore urges operators not to wait for enforcement action. Establishments with outstanding payments, missing returns or unresolved account discrepancies must contact NTB and take immediate steps to bring their accounts into good standing.
Levy payments must clearly reflect the establishment’s official NTB registration number as the beneficiary reference, and the completed return and proof of payment must be submitted to debtors@namibiatourism. com.na. “Operators may also visit the NTB head office or their nearest regional office for account verification and assistance,” added Quest.
In conclusion, she said that tourism levies support NTB’s mandate to regulate the industry, promote Namibia as a tourism destination and contribute to the sustainable development of the sector. “Compliance also protects the integrity of the industry and ensures fairness to businesses that consistently meet their legal obligations,” she said.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na
