HOTREC position paper on the emergence of different tourism taxes, especially bed taxes across Europe

HOTREC1 opposes the introduction of local taxes on tourists, especially bed taxes, which are penalising tourists and might seriously damage the local economy.

Bed taxes and similar taxes are more and more being introduced in the different EU Member States (mostly at local level), which are adding additional burden on the European hospitality / tourism industry.
When such taxes are introduced, in most cases this income is simply used to reduce budget deficits in general, according to the principle “tourists are not participating in local elections, therefore it is easy to ask them to pay additional money into the budget”.

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Tourist tax plans paying a visit to help promote city

Published on Friday 24 February 2012 12:16- Edinburgh Evening news

A NEW tourist tax which would see businesses such as hotels and restaurants contribute to promoting the city is set to be investigated.
Council chiefs want to explore the idea of creating a “business improvement district” (BID) for the city’s tourism industry, with businesses ranging from hotels to the airport making contributions to boost the sector.
The move comes after the idea of a “bed tax” had to be abandoned when the Scottish Government said it would not bring in the necessary legislation to allow councils to impose a charge on visitors.

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Edinburgh Hotels For Families

There are more than 130 hotels in Edinburgh but when it comes to travelling with families, the amount of hotels that can accommodate families is a a lot scaled-down figure possibly into single or low double digit figures. Even the standard family of two adults and two children travelling and hunting for resort accommodation taxes numerous hotels.

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