Municipalities expect to collect 239 million euros with tourist tax this year; 11 percent more than in 2017. This is apparent from new figures from Statistics Netherlands. Municipalities collect tourist tax through hotels, campsites and recreation parks. KHN wants municipalities to stop raising tourist tax unnecessarily. This tax money should only be used for the hospitality sector and not as a cash cow to fill the municipal coffers.
For years we have seen that many municipalities adjust the tourist tax upwards every year. KHN points out that municipalities will become less attractive to tourists if these unlimited and inhospitable increases continue. After all, tourists spend an increasing part of their holiday money on tourist tax, while they usually don't see anything in return. This ever-increasing burden on holiday budgets is causing tourists to opt for other (cheaper) destinations.
Call for municipal elections
The municipal elections will take place on 21 March 2018 (in Groningen 21 November). KHN calls on the up-and-coming councilors to look closely at the tourist taxes. We believe that the municipal council should ensure that every euro in tourist tax collected is also used to increase the tourist climate in that municipality. In addition, the new city council can determine in consultation with catering entrepreneurs whether the tax rate can be reduced or even abolished.
Uneven playing field
A special point of attention is the strong rise of holiday rentals by private individuals via online platforms such as Airbnb and Wimdu. Municipalities often do not levy tax on this holiday rental, which creates an unfair playing field. After all, hotels, campsites and recreation parks must request tourist tax from their guests. Private individuals who rent out their homes through platforms such as Airbnb and Wimdu should do the same. For this it is important that they register. After all, only in this way does the municipality have insight into which tourists are staying in the municipality and tourist tax can be collected from everyone. KHN is therefore also arguing in the House of Representatives for a fairer set of instruments.
Poll catering entrepreneurs
In 2016, KHN held a poll among its members. This made it clear that the current structure of tourist tax really needs to be changed. A majority 53% accepts the collection of tourist tax as long as the proceeds are spent on the tourism sector. Roomy 43% wants the tourist tax to be abolished altogether and only 3% believes that the current regulations regarding tourist tax should remain the same.
Photo: Martini Hotel