🌍 Worldwide VAT for Travel Businesses
Understanding Global VAT, GST, and Consumption Tax Rules Beyond U.K. and Europe

Practical VAT & GST guidance for hotels, travel agents, tour operators, DMCs, and OTAs.

VAT.travel brings together Antravia’s real-world VAT expertise for the travel industry. We explain how VAT works in the day to day, from booking flows and commissions to refunds, deposits, and cancellations. Our focus on this site is Worldwide, with guidance relevant to any business that touches VAT or GST.

Global VAT and GST rules now affect every part of the travel supply chain, from hotel bookings to inbound tour operations and destination events. More than 170 countries operate a consumption-tax system, yet each applies different rules on registration, refund rights, digital reporting, and what counts as a taxable presence. These differences create real financial risk for hotels, travel agents, DMCs, and event organisers working across borders.

This Antravia guide summarises the major non-EU regimes that travel businesses encounter most often, including the UAE’s 5 percent VAT system and upcoming e-invoicing mandate, Japan’s consumption tax and Qualified Invoice System, Australia and New Zealand’s GST frameworks, Canada’s layered GST/HST rules, and Iceland’s VAT treatment of tourism. Each section sets out registration triggers, refund positions for foreign companies, invoicing rules, and common traps for cross-border sellers.

The page also highlights how e-invoicing and structured digital reporting are expanding across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, and what travel businesses should prepare for when contracting internationally.

Antravia Advisory supports hotels, tour operators, and agencies in more than 30 jurisdictions, helping them understand liability, structure supply chains, review invoices, coordinate VAT and GST registrations, and prepare for upcoming digital-tax changes. For specialist support tailored to your markets, contact us.

Worldwide VAT for Travel Businesses

VAT & TOMS -
How Antravia helps

Where Travel meets Smart Finance

VAT Health Check

A short review of supplies, invoicing, and filings to highlight risks and missed recovery.

Non-resident VAT, fiscal reps, return preparation, corrections.

Employee travel, events, exhibitions, and supplier invoices across the UK/EU

See VAT Reclaim for more info.

Registrations & filings (UK/EU)
VAT Reclaim
“What’s Next” Consultation

Not sure where to start?

Book a free 15-minute call with Antravia. We’ll outline your current exposure and the simplest route to full compliance

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red and white flag under blue sky during daytime
South Africa
the flag of south africa is waving in the wind
the flag of south africa is waving in the wind
Canada
a red and white flag with a white cross on it
a red and white flag with a white cross on it
Norway
red white and black textile
red white and black textile
New Zealand
Switzerland
the flag of the united kingdom of norway
the flag of the united kingdom of norway
South Africa
the flag of south africa is waving in the wind
the flag of south africa is waving in the wind
New Zealand
Iceland
A bunch of flags that are next to each other
A bunch of flags that are next to each other
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
A piece of paper with writing on it
A piece of paper with writing on it
Japan
flag of Australia
flag of Australia
Australia
a blue and red flag
a blue and red flag
New Zealand

VAT for UK Travel Agents and Tour Operators: What you need to know about TOMS

Understand how VAT and the Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS) affect UK travel agents. Learn how to stay compliant and protect your margins. Link

Inside the Hotelbeds VAT Case: Lessons for Every UK Travel Business | Antravia UK

An inside look at the Hotelbeds VAT case and what it teaches about invoice control, TOMS, and VAT recovery for UK travel businesses. Link

a pile of british coins sitting on top of each othera pile of british coins sitting on top of each other
a couple of beds sitting next to each othera couple of beds sitting next to each other
a neon sign that says itbegan as a mistakea neon sign that says itbegan as a mistake

Voluntary Disclosure: Fixing Sales Tax Mistakes Without Penalties

Missed sales tax registrations or filings? Learn how voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) can help travel agents and hotels fix past mistakes, reduce penalties, and protect your business reputation. Link

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Disclaimer:
Content published by Antravia is provided for informational purposes only and reflects research, industry analysis, and our professional perspective. It does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Regulations vary by jurisdiction, and individual circumstances differ. Readers should seek advice from a qualified professional before making decisions that could affect their business.
See also our Disclaimer page