In Italy, hoteliers are protesting against the increase in tourist tax decided by the municipality of Rome. The tourist tax for holiday apartments will be increased from 3.5 euros to 6 euros per night. In traditional two-star hotels, the tourist tax will also be increased from three to five euros per day. For luxury hotels, this will increase from seven euros to ten euros a day now.
“At a time when tourism in Rome is booming again after the difficult pandemic period, it is absurd that the city authorities would burden tourism with the increase of the tourist tax. For a year now, tourism in Rome has been able to create jobs, the gross domestic product and stimulate the economy,” protested Giuseppe Roscioli, president of the hoteliers association Federalberghi.
Criticism was also heard from the ranks of the opposition in the Roman city council. “If the municipality has to make money, it should not do so at the expense of tourists,” said a Fratelli d’Italia councilor.
2023 record high taxes possible
To replenish their empty coffers, more and more municipalities in Italy are introducing tourist taxes. It is estimated that Italian municipalities as a whole will collect a record amount of €679 million in 2023 thanks to this tax. That’s 9.5 percent more than last year, according to estimates from the JFC Observatory.
Taxes often cover deficits in the municipal coffers
The hoped-for tourist tax revenues will exceed the 622 million euros collected by the Italian municipalities in the pre-crisis year 2019. Until a few years ago, the tourist tax was only paid in a few art cities. The tax finances the high expenditure for the preservation of the palazzi, monuments and memorials, as well as the parks. All too often, the tourist tax also covers the deficit of the municipal treasury.
The cities with the highest tourist tax are Rome and Venice. The island of Ponza recently introduced a tourist tax of one euro for visitors landing on the island in the Tyrrhenian Sea south of Rome.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
