Tourism: Netherlands : Substantial increase tourist tax revenue over the past five years

Almere City lake - photo EU-Digest

In 2013, tourist tax is anticipated to put 162 million euros in the municipal coffers, i.e. an increase by 36 percentrelative to 2008. Of all taxes imposed by municipal authorities, tourist tax has increased most over the past half decade.

The higher revenue from tourist tax is mainly due to higher rates. The proportion of municipalities imposing tax on tourism has also grown over the past five years. These two factors account for approximately one tenth of the tourist tax revenue increase of 43 millioneuros over the years 2008-2013. The growth in the number of nights spent in hotels in this period also contributes to the increase. Lastly, some municipalities have expanded the target group to include, for example, migrant workers.

This year, 76 percentof Dutch municipalities impose tourist tax, versus 72 percentfive years ago. Since 2008, 24 municipalitieshave (re-)introduced tourist tax, while five municipalities have abolished tourist tax. Municipal re-divisions have reduced the number of municipalities imposing tourist tax from 319 in 2008 to 312 in 2013.

Read more: CBS - Statistics Netherlands : Substantial increase tourist tax revenue over the past five years