Tajikistan introduces fees for foreign tourists and pilgrims

AKIPRESS.COM - Tajikistan introduced fees for tourists entering the country and citizens of Tajikistan exiting the country for tourism abroad via tourist agencies. Lower house of the Tajik parliament passed the draft amendments to the law on other mandatory payments to the budget on April 26.
Tajik citizens planning to perform Hajj (Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) will also pay fees, according to Finance Minister Faiziddin Kahhorzoda.
World War veterans, participants in the liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, persons with disability of the first and second groups, children under 16 years old, and diplomats are exempt from paying fees to leave the country for tourism.
The law entitles the government to decide on the size of fees. According to Asia Plus sources, the foreign tourists and Tajik citizens leaving the country for tourism abroad will have to pay $1 per day.
Tajikistanis traveling abroad for Hajj must pay additional $50 to the state. This year, the cost of Hajj for Tajikistanis is 35,128 somoni (including the fee imposed by the state) or $3,700.