Muy interesante el debate que suscita la decisión de Amsterdam de poner la tasa turística en 2 dígitos. Lo que es innegable es que Amsterdam es de las ciudades que primero empezaron a tomarse en serio cómo frenar los efectos colaterales negativos del turismo masivo sobre los grandes destinos urbanos. Y la tasa turística es desde luego parte ya imprescindible del tool-box, aunque sólo sea para repartir las cargas de los servicios urbanos entre usuarios permanentes y usuarios temporales de la ciudad. Pues bien, en mi ciudad, donde el boom del turismo está causando estragos en el centro histórico como espacio residencial (posiblemente irreversibles) y erosionando la experiencia que supone vivir Sevilla, el responsable del ramo a nivel regional declara que "mientras yo sea consejero, Andalucía no tendrá tasa turística", y todavía se espera el Decreto del Gobierno Regional que permita a los Ayuntamientos regular las viviendas para uso turístico. Así estamos.
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺'𝘀 𝟭𝟮,𝟱% 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗨 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 📊 In 2024 the City of Amsterdam will charge 12,5% tourist tax on top of the accommodation fare. Coming from 7% (plus EUR 3 p.p.p.n) for hotels or 10% for short-term rental, it’s a significant hike. For me, it sparks a crucial debate: to what extent should tourists pay for the privilege of experiencing a city? With a tax sum of €105 for a 3-night stay for two (4-star hotel, average price online), significantly higher than in Paris, Barcelona, Rome, and Berlin, Amsterdam's city council is clear: visitors should contribute proportionally to their consumption of the city's resources. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗔 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲💰❤️ This policy isn't just about raising funds; it's a deliberate move to have tourists financially acknowledge the strain they put on the city and its infrastructure. While others may view Amsterdam's approach as steep, it could also be interpreted as a responsible fiscal strategy, ensuring visitors invest in the city's upkeep and sustainability. On the other hand, the hospitality branch may argue it puts significant pressure on its business and outprices Amsterdam as a top destination. But is that the case? 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 (𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲) 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀?💲 As Amsterdam paves the way with this policy, one must wonder whether its European peers are missing out here. The moderate fixed rates of Paris (€48.75), Barcelona (€26.70), Rome (€45.00), and Berlin’s 5% (€25.50) could be seen as a bargain, but at what cost to the city's long-term viability? Are these cities still welcoming tourists at too much of an expense of their own urban health? Amsterdam's example challenges its counterparts to reconsider their strategies. Perhaps it's time for these cities to ask if a higher, more dynamic tourist tax could be a fair trade-off for preserving the quality and character that draws visitors in the first place. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 In conclusion, Amsterdam's stance is a provocation to the status quo, positioning tourist taxes not just as a revenue path but as a contribution to the city's legacy. It beckons other capitals to reflect: Is it time to follow Amsterdam's lead and require tourists to pay their fair share for the urban experience they enjoy? Any thoughts?
Interesting Miguel Rivas and quite sad to read how representatives take a rather populist stance towards tourist taxes. I mean, it's not that Andalusia is a very wealthy region that can just say ''we'll go without it''. And the typical response that ''it will hurt (small) business owners in the hospitality sector'' is straight out nonsense. Although not much academic research has been done on the price elasticity of tourist taxes, the empiric evidence is just everywhere. I don't think however we should take Amsterdam's move as one really aimed at battling overtourism. Although local politicians will sell it as such (and there is some truth in it), it's also ''just'' to bring in more revenue to support municipal spending across the board. When it comes to historic cities like Sevilla and the pressure they experience from (predominantly) short-term-rental operations, I don't think tourist taxes (how they currently are at least) will not make much of difference. Regulation is the only thing that will provide the tools to municipalities to deal with it. Next to that, as Trippz we see a strong role for technology, to provide the means to municipalities to not only put policies in place, but also manage and enforce them effectively,