Conference industry fears higher tourist tax: We are driving away the wrong tourists
Amsterdam is set to increase its tourist tax to 20 percent by 2031, prompting concerns from the conference industry that the move will drive away valuable business travelers. Industry leaders argue that these visitors are economically beneficial and cause less nuisance than other tourists, but the municipality remains committed to the tax hike to help manage city-wide tourism challenges.
Amsterdam plans to raise its tourist tax to 16 percent next year, eventually reaching 20 percent by 2031, which will make it the highest in the world. Leaders in the conference industry, including representatives from the RAI and Beurs van Berlage, warn that this increase will discourage business travelers. They argue that these visitors contribute significantly to the local economy by staying for multiple days and spending between 700 and 1000 euros daily, all while causing less public nuisance than other tourist groups. Recent data from ABN Amro shows a 38 percent drop in business travelers compared to 2019 levels. Despite these concerns, city alderman Melanie van der Horst has stated there are no plans to reduce the tax for the sector. While she expressed a willingness to engage in further dialogue, she maintained that the tax hike is necessary to fund efforts to manage broader tourism-related issues in the city.
Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
