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… Plans To Standardize Activities of Outdoor Food Vendors

 

Disturbed by the seeming negative effects of multiple taxation imposed on tourism enterprises operating at the popular Oxbow Lake Swali Yenagoa, Commissioner for Tourism Development, Hon. John Alla has promised to build synergy with relevant revenue agencies and departments in the state with a view to harmonising multiple levies on tourism enterprises.

 

Hon. Alla, while reacting to exorbitant levies reportedly imposed on small and middle tourism enterprises operators at the weekend, regrettably noted several negative effects on tourism enterprises, including increased operating costs, leading to higher costs, reducing profit margins and competitiveness, said excessive taxation could deter investment in tourism infrastructure and services, making tourism destinations less competitive compared to others with more favorable tax environments.

 

The newly appointed Commissioner for Tourism added that multiple taxation on tourism enterprises would certainly cause them to pass on their tax costs to the consumers, eventually leading to higher prices which could potentially deter visitors at tourist sites, pointing out over-taxation could invariably lead to tax evasion, reducing government revenue and undermining the tourism industry generally.

 

“Multiple taxation can lead to reduced employment opportunities in the tourism sector because excessive taxation can hinder economic growth and development in tourism-dependent areas. Over-taxation can cause increased administrative costs, creating unnecessary administrative complexities, diverting resources from core business activities to other areas.

 

“Over-taxation can also stifle innovation and improvement in tourism services and products.

Excessive taxation can harm the overall reputation of tourism destinations and deter visitors.

To mitigate these effects, the government could consider streamlining tax systems, reducing tax rates, offering tax incentives on tourism enterprises, implementing tax holidays, and enhancing tax administration efficiency.

 

“By adopting a more favorable tax environment specifically for tourism enterprises, the state government can support the growth and development of these tourism enterprises, which provide the needed experience for the visitors and even the residents, benefiting the local economy and communities alike,” Hon. John maintained.

 

Speaking on the reported ongoing indiscriminate springing up unauthorised food vendor shops at the Oxbow Lake, the Commissioner expressed disappointment over their mode of doing business, hinting that his ministry would soon work out plans to standardize the  operations of the food vendors to ensure high-quality and enjoyable experiences for visitors to the lakeside.

 

It would be recalled that with proper standardization of the food vendors’ operations at tourist sites would involve developing and enforcing clear food sanitation guidelines and regulations to stablishing vendors licensing and certification programmes and conduct regular inspections and monitoring with a view to providing trainings and education on food safety and sanitation.

 

Implementation of quality control process would lead to setting up uniform pricing and menu standards, ensuring adequate waste management and disposal mechanism, implementing customer feedback and complaint system, in addition to establishing a system for tracking and managing vendor performance reviewing and updating standards regularly.

 

Benefits of standardization include, improved food safety and quality, enhanced visitor experience and satisfaction, increased efficiency and organization, better management of vendors and their operations, protection of the tourist site’s reputation, trigger support for local businesses and economies, in compliance with regulations and laws to reduce risk of foodborne illnesses, improved customer service as well as increased visitor loyalty and repeat business.

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