The move to remove tourism tax is aimed at developing and elevating tourism industry standards in Abu Dhabi. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/creativefamily
The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi has announced
that events across the capital will no longer be subject to a tourist
tax.
This means that event organisers will now be exempt from the 10% tourism fee for each ticket sold for events.
Earlier this month, DCT Abu Dhabi issued a circular addressed to
event organisers in the emirate, regarding exemption from tourism fees
on tickets.
It said, “With reference to the above subject, and based on Law No.
(8) of 2018, establishing the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu
Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) with an overall mandate to develop and elevate
quality standards of the tourism industry to achieve tourism.
development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the Executive Council
Resolution No. (54) of 2018, regarding event licensing in Abu Dhabi
Emirate, and Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi decision No. (18) of 2023,
concerning extending the exemption from the fees for issuing,
distributing and marketing tickets in accordance with the Events
Licensing System in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
For further support to the investment environment in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi, it has been decided to exempt event organisers from the
tourism fee of 10% on tickets sold.
The circular added that it is mandatory for event organisers to
obtain event licenses in accordance with the regulations specified for
this purpose.
Additionally, they are obliged to declare the revenues generated from
these events, submit supporting financial statements, and cooperate
with revenue auditors or individuals designated by DCT Abu Dhabi to
validate the accuracy of their declarations.