Fears of Tourist Tax Impacting Norwegian Guests
A tourist tax is a common practice worldwide, and now it is set to be introduced in Lofoten during the summer season. The next destination that may implement this tax is Tromsø.
The revenue generated from the tourist tax will be utilized for various purposes, including the installation of toilets and rubbish bins, as well as the construction of new paths and viewpoints in popular tourist areas.
Debate Over Tax Collection
Politicians in Tromsø are advocating for hotels and accommodations to collect the tax by adding it to the hotel bill. However, Ida Kristine Jakobsen, the director of The Edge hotel, opposes this idea.
Jakobsen argues that hotels already pay municipal fees to cover the use of public goods such as exits, car parks, and other facilities. These are the same public goods that the tourist tax aims to finance. She believes it is unfair to burden the hotel industry with collecting the tax, especially when it only affects one sector.
Jakobsen expressed her concerns during a debate on the topic in the program “Bright Morning.”
Worries About Increased Costs
Jakobsen fears that implementing a tourist tax will result in higher accommodation costs for guests. She highlights that Tromsø is already a more expensive destination compared to others, and this tax would further distort competition for hotels in the area.
Furthermore, Jakobsen points out that their main guests are Norwegian course and conference attendees, and she worries that they will also be impacted by the tourist tax.
On the other hand, Jarle Heitmann, the group leader for Tromsø’s largest political party, believes that short-term accommodations are suitable for administering the tax. He emphasizes the importance of making arrangements to attract more tourists to Norway, citing examples from Barcelona and Paris where similar taxes are imposed.
Debate Over Tax Comparison
Jakobsen disagrees with Heitmann’s comparison of the tourist tax in Norway with those in other European countries. She argues that each country has its own tax system, and it would be incorrect to draw direct comparisons.
Minimal Daily Fee
Heitmann explains that the purpose of the tourist tax is to fund additional facilities related to popular attractions like Fjellhisen, the Arctic Cathedral, and Northern Lights tourism. The goal is to increase the number of tourists from one million in 2022 to two million by 2030.
Heitmann believes that the amount tourists will have to pay is relatively low. In Europe, similar taxes range from one to two euros, which translates to approximately 10 to 20 Norwegian kroner per day per guest. He considers this to be an insignificant amount.
“Isn’t it preferable to ask visitors from abroad for one to two euros rather than providing them with poo bags?”
Jakobsen questions whether the tax will only apply to foreign tourists or if Norwegian tourists will also be subject to it. She suggests that it would make more sense for the fee to be imposed on transportation into the country rather than on tourists themselves.
Watch “Bright Morning” for more insights on this topic.
2023-06-18 14:41:58
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What are the concerns raised about adding a tourist tax in Tromsø?
Nd adding a tourist tax on top of existing expenses may deter visitors from choosing Tromsø as their destination.
She also raises concerns about the potential negative impact on businesses. Higher accommodation costs may discourage tourists from staying in hotels and instead opt for cheaper alternatives such as Airbnb or rental apartments. This could harm the hotel industry and other businesses that rely on tourist spending.
Possible Solutions
Instead of burdening hotels with collecting the tourist tax, Jakobsen suggests alternative solutions. One option is to implement a voluntary contribution system, where guests can choose to contribute to the development of tourism infrastructure if they wish.
Another suggestion is to utilize the revenue generated from existing taxes, such as the value-added tax (VAT) already imposed on accommodations and services, to fund the necessary improvements in tourist areas. This way, tourists would not face additional costs, and businesses would not bear the responsibility of collecting the tax.
Conclusion
The introduction of a tourist tax in Lofoten and the potential implementation in Tromsø raises concerns among hoteliers and industry professionals. The fear of increased costs for guests and potential negative impacts on businesses make it necessary to carefully consider alternative solutions.
Hotel director Ida Kristine Jakobsen suggests exploring voluntary contributions and utilizing existing taxes to fund the development of tourism infrastructure. These options would ensure a fair and sustainable approach, benefitting both tourists and businesses in Tromsø.
