Netherland’s government officials revealed that the new tourist tax increase, scheduled to come into effect in 2024, will make Amsterdam’s fee the highest in Europe.
Amsterdam Finance Chief, Hester van Buren, said last week that the overnight stays tourist tax would increase from 7% of the cost of accommodation plus €3 (R61,49) to 12,5% of the cost of accommodation.
The cruise industry’s passengers’ rates are standardised and will increase from €8 (R163,97) to €11 (R225,46) per person. Van Buren said this increase would make the cruise tourist tax the fourth highest in the world, reported travelpulse.com.
Amsterdam official expect the increase in tourist fees to contribute €65 million to Amsterdam’s economy, which will be used to fund local public services.
Van Buren gave the example that a tourist renting a room for €175 (R3 586,91) a night would pay a fee of around €22 (R450,93) per day, an increase from the previous €15 (R307,45).
“It is a balancing act, and an estimate,” Van Buren told Dutch News. “Of course, it would be good if the high tax helped against over-tourism, but then you would also bring in less money.”
Tourism experts predict that Amsterdam will accommodate more than 20 million visitors this year, however, the city is working with other popular tourist cities, such as Venice and Barcelona, to establish methods and measures to control the high numbers of domestic and foreign tourists.
“We also have to deal with day trippers,” Van Buren continued. “Of course, you can’t put up turnstiles so no-one can get into the city, but we are going to look at ways of making day visitors pay some sort of city tax.”
