Salzburg’s tourist associations have been hit hard by the aftermath of the pandemic: 21 million euros in tourist tax is likely to be missing in 2023! Now it’s negotiating.
Huge tasks with a tight treasury at the same time: Salzburg’s tourist associations are feeling the long-term effects of the pandemic. According to first estimates, nationally, at least 21 million euros in tourist tax will probably be missing – a 60 percent decrease compared to the pre-Corona years.
Mainly Affected Winter Resorts
The reason? The levy to be paid by companies for 2023 is calculated on the basis of the sales realized in 2021. But lockdowns and the like resulted in little business in many companies. This has a particularly strong effect in the winter sports areas. Christine Scharfetter, head of the Hochkönig region, expects serious consequences. “That will probably create a big hole in the budget,” says the tourism expert.
“Compensation payments are a drop in the ocean”
The approaching budget gap is certainly not the only financial concern: due to the cancellation of the winter season 2020/21, the associations throughout Salzburg have lost 20 million euros in accommodation taxes, ie local taxes. At the beginning of the year, the state paid the tourism associations a fee of ten percent – a total of two million euros was made available for this. The Hochkönig region was also supported.
“Actually that’s just a drop in the ocean. We have about 53 percent of our overnight stays in the winter, 47 percent in the summer. A large part of our budget has been lost simply because of the local tax escaping.” said Scharfetter, who said savings had to be made. The head of tourism in Filzmoos, Peter Donabauer, takes a similar view. “It was not what we needed to create sustainable, strong tourism advertising,” says the tourism expert .
Governor remains vague
Industry spokesman Stefan Passrugger is committed to helping. “We are in contact with the state tax authorities,” says Passrugger. After a request to Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), it remains unclear whether the tourist industry can count on help. The agency refers to short-time work subsidies, unforeseen obligations and interim financing that have been taken over.
As reported, many associations could not use the Corona aid because they are public companies.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
