Aviation tax for Morocco

831

According to eTurboNews, the government of Morocco plans to levy a tax on all flights out of the country.

The aviation tax will come into force on 1 April 2014.

First Class flights will be taxed $48, while a surcharge of $12 will be added to Economy Class tickets.

The government expects to raise around $120 million a year initially, half of which is expected to fund the activities of the Moroccan national tourist office, with the rest to go to a social development fund.

The proceeds would allow Morocco to raise its profile in places like Eastern Europe, Brazil, China, the Gulf and West Africa.

The North African country received 10 million visitors last year, with the tourism business generating more than $7.3 billion in revenues, representing 8% of GDP and employing some 500,000 people.