Euskadi is beginning to take steps towards a possible application of a tourist tax on our territory, a type of tax that is beginning to be adopted timidly in other autonomous communities, but which is very common in the main tourist destinations in the world.
In the week when Euskadi starts to analyze the possible introduction of a tourist tax, we wanted to take a photo of this tax, which It is already used in many European cities and capitalsand which could soon also enter into force in several autonomous communities of the Spanish state.
What is the tourist tax?
Under this name the tax paid by tourists who spends the night in an official hotel accommodation. A significant amount of the money raised will go to: measures to improve infrastructure and tourism activities. The rate varies around the world depending on the season in which we travel, the type of accommodation we choose or the centrality of the area in which we sleep.
Who applies it in the Spanish state?
For the time being, there are two autonomous communities that already charge this: Catalonia (since 2012) and the Balearic Islands (2016). The highest rates are those of Palma de Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza (between 1 and 4 euros per person per night). In CataloniaThe price varies between 50 cents and 2.25 euros. For example, Barcelona raised 16.5 million euros in 2019 thanks to this tax.
Other communities and capitals will soon join. The Valencian Community will have a tourist tax in 2024and Andalusian towns such as Seville, Malaga and Granada They are in the middle of the debate process.
The rate, in Europe
Tourist tax applies in Europe It is already being implemented in 137 cities in about 20 different countries. France, Italy and the Netherlands lead the way, with the largest number of locations charging this rate. But it has also been approved in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Scotland, Slovakia, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Curiously, London and Dublin don’t have a tourist tax, and don’t seem likely to have one any time soon.
The higher tourist rates At the moment, cities like Rome (7 euros per person per night) and Paris, Naples, Turin or Venice (5 euros per night per person) have them.
Although most European countries opt for a rate per person per night, there are cities such as Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam or Rotterdam that prefer to charge a rate per person. percentage of the total that the tourist pays at your overnight stay. For example, in Rotterdam and Amsterdam you pay 7% of the price of the stay, and in Berlin about 5%.
The rest of the world is also implementing these types of tariffs little by little. New York, Tunisia, Morocco, Dubai or Thailand, among others, already use them.
Curiosities
The tourist tax must be paid by everyone over the age of 16 staying in hotels, apartments, campsites and even cruise ships.
Many cities offer discounts in the low season and for long-term accommodation.
Those in charge of the accommodations are the ones who should be responsible for collecting this fee and turning it over to the authorities.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
