Tourism - Communes want to levy guest contributions - preparations are underway
In Brandenburg, 18 cure and recreation sites collect a guest tax - in the future, other communes want to demand an obolus from tourists as well. A legislative change in the summer makes it possible for all municipalities to collect guest fees. The Economy Ministry plans to use this money for tourism, it was stated.
The plans are not yet finalized, but the Economy Ministry is currently preparing a model ordinance that will be made available to all interested municipalities. Nationwide, the average height for guest fees is between two and three Euros, the trend is rising.
Hotels and other accommodation businesses should collect the guest fee and remit it to the city administrations. Communities can also collect a contribution from day tourists in the future. This is possible, for example, together with parking tickets at the entrance to cultural and tourist institutions or at ticket machines, such as at bathing lakes and beaches. In seaside resorts, for example, day passes are also redeemable at ticket machines.
The City and Town Association welcomes the new revenue opportunities: "With the new regulation, a fairer and sustainable basis for tourism in all cities and municipalities will be created, and at the same time the financial basis for municipal tasks will be strengthened." Numerous Brandenburg municipalities reported that significant expenses are required for the attractiveness of tourist destinations for day tourists, which can now be financed through this regulation, the communal peak association reported.
So far, it was only possible to levy the levy in municipalities with a designation such as, for example, a spa or recreation area, to involve guests. The city of Potsdam and the community of Halbe (Dahme-Spreewald district) also collect a bed tax, which, however, is not earmarked like the guest tax.
The Economy Ministry's model ordinance will be beneficial for municipalities across Brandenburg and potentially other regions of Germany, as it allows them to collect guest fees from tourists, following the trend set by 18 commune areas in Brandenburg. This revenue can contribute significantly to financing the maintenance and development of tourist attractions, such as cultural institutions, bathing lakes, and beaches, using automat ticketing systems for convenience.
