by Go to an appearance? You would expect to pay. Go to a club? Tickets for the input. Paid to enter your dream travel destination? Absurd.
Many countries in Europe, including Greece, Spain and Germany, have introduced city taxes, better known as tourist taxes.
Tourist tax was first introduced by certain governments to grip over -tourism, whereby the generation of additional income was a bonus for the measure. This fee collected by travelers usually runs into the maintenance of the city and to support the local infrastructure.
Last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan proposed that he could support a tourist tax in the capital, while the Center for London published a report last month in which Greater London was asked to explore the option.
Barcelona, Bhutan, Paris and Venice are just a few destinations that implement tourist taxes, but could London be next?
How does a tourist tax work?
Tourist taxes are usually added to accommodation costs or tourist services and usually amount to 1 to 5 GBP per night, but can vary.
It would be wrong to consider tourist taxes as a deterrent. Instead, they are used to manage the consequences of over -tourism. Michael Corrigan, CEO of Trtl Travel, explains that the money is usually used well by the local government. Use can be used by “Spruding-Parks, keep the streets clean or make sure that the local tourist attractions are kept in a first-class state”.
He adds: “If you use local services and enjoy public spaces, tourist tax is a small way to keep these amenities in a top top state.”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tourist tax?
Corrigan points out that cheap flights made traveling extremely accessible to the masses. However, the disadvantage of this is the effects and consequences of over -tourism.
For residents, upourism can lead to environmental damage, tense infrastructure and an overall reduced quality of life.
In Westminster alone there are more than 10,500 houses that are used as holidays. A men’s block in Hyde Park organizes more guests a night than the Ritz.
A tourist tax would help generate funds in order to alleviate the negative consequences. George Levett from Conveyancing Solicitor says that tourism tax can ensure that tourism remains sustainable and that the residents of the local environment do not affect too excessively.
However, he adds that there is always the possibility that increased accommodation costs will deter the budget travelers and make inconsistent use in the London districts difficult to enforce the enforcement and influence the local rental markets.
Nevertheless, Darijo Saric, CEO of VIP Holiday Booker, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, said visitors were not prevented from being called “the most busiest European city in summer”.
How successful was it for other popular cities?
Large cities such as Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam have achieved success with such taxes. Managing the effects of a large number of tourists was far easier with the additional income.
For example, Paris charges tourists up to € 16 per night in Premium -Hotels and Barcelona Chares for € 4 plus a regional fee. Such fees produce around £ 240 million annually for the cities.
Others have argued that comparatively tourist taxes should only look at the core problems of over -tourism to solve the problem. For example, better regulation of Airbnb, the concentration on effective visitor management, the diversification of tourism in such a way that it is not concentrated in one area and offers seasonal prices.
Saric adds that the encouragement of tourists to explore UK’s areas outside of London could help to make London less crowded and to expand British tourism in general.
Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh have already carried out measures to establish corporate improvement districts. This is a tax that is similar to a tourist tax.
Will London introduce a tourist tax?
The London tourist tax is still being discussed and could become a probable option, says George Levett from Cabveyancing Solicitor.
“Although it is not imminent, a tourist tax in London remains a plausible measure to reconcile the city’s living tourism industry with the quality of life of the residents and the long -term urban sustainability,” he added.
Levett said: “From a legal and property perspective, the introduction of a tourist tax in London would require a comprehensive coordination between the Greater London Authority, the local district councils and the stakeholders of hospitality. Guarantee of transparency and complaint. “
In order for a tourist tax to be introduced, the legislation would have to be passed by parliament without the taxes not yet being presented.
