The new General Tourism Law of Peru approved various tax incentives for the tourism sector with the aim of promoting and regulating the sustainable and competitive development of tourism activity. Among them, the most notable are the significant reduction of the Income Tax to 0%, 10% or 15% and additional benefits related to depreciation, deductions and the early recovery of the Value Added Tax.
On June 27, 2025, Law No. 32392 was published in the Official Gazette El Peruano, through which the new General Tourism Law was approved. This new law establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for tourism activity to promote its economic growth and thus become a tool for the protection of natural and cultural heritage, social inclusion, equity, competitiveness and sustainability.
To achieve such purposes, the new law has set forth the creation of special tourism development zones (zonas especiales de desarrollo turístico or ZEDT), which are duly delimited areas intended to promote enabling conditions for the development of investment in prioritized and sustainable tourist destinations that foster employment and contribute to competitiveness. In addition, the new law introduces the concept of a ZEDT user as any new company incorporated in the country or any new branch, agency or permanent establishment in the country of a sole proprietorship, company or entity incorporated abroad as of the entry into force of the law and that has authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. Likewise, tourist activities and services are understood to be detailed in the law, for instance, lodging services, travel and tourism agencies, and tourist guides, among others.
In tax matters, the new law has foreseen incentives for tourist activities and services carried out by users of the ZEDT, as well as for artisanal and tourist activities executed outside these areas. As derived from the text of the new law, these incentives are aimed at promoting investment in the tourism sector, mainly supporting the implementation of tourism projects that generate employment and that respect the principles of sustainability and conservation of local communities, thereby enabling their development.
First, a preferential rate of Income Tax (IT) is provided for tourist activities and services carried out by users of the ZEDT. According to the law, users –classified as third-category income earners – of the ZEDT, with respect to tourist activities and services, will be subject to a reduced IT rate of 0% for the first 5 years, 10% between years 6 and 10, and 15% for the period between years 11 and 15 of conducting the business activity. If the requirements established to benefit from these reduced rates are not met, the general regime rate, i.e. 29.5%, would apply. This preferential IT regime will have a maximum duration of 15 years and will be subject to technical evaluation after 3 years.
Secondly, tax incentives are stipulated for artisanal and tourist activities conducted outside the ZEDT in order to promote their growth and formalisation, as well as to generate employment and favour the development of tourism. Among the most relevant tax incentives that have come into force as of January 1 of this year are the following:
- Benefit of accelerated depreciation: during fiscal years 2026 and 2027, an annual accelerated depreciation rate of 20% may be applied to buildings and constructions with a remaining undepreciated balance as of December 31, 2025, provided that such assets are used for lodging, travel agencies, restaurants, ecotourism, and/or cultural performances.
- Special deduction of expenses for employment income: for years 2026 and 2027, 50% of the expenses for services of tourist guides and adventure tourism, ecotourism and artisans whose consideration shall be deductible from employment income, up to a limit of three (3) Tax Units (unidad impositiva tributaria or UIT).
- Special Regimen for early recovery of VAT: until December 31, 2028, taxpayers outside the ZEDT (individuals or companies) will be able to access this regime as long as they carry out a tourism investment project that generates business income and whose investment commitment is not less than US$ 1,000,000.
Finally, with respect to the incompatibility of benefits that may arise under other provisions, the law stipulates that ZEDT users opting for the tax incentives related to IT may not simultaneously apply other tax benefits, incentives, or exemptions established under different regulations. The new law further specifies that, should the requirements for other tax benefits be met, only one benefit may be selected. The taxpayer must notify the Tax Authority (SUNAT) of such choice, in the manner, timeframe, and conditions established by said authority.
