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Kiel faces bed tax: hoteliers warn of deterrent to tourism!
The Left is calling for a bed tax for tourists in Kiel. Hoteliers warn of burdens and bureaucracy. Voting is imminent.
Kiel faces bed tax: hoteliers warn of deterrent to tourism!
In Kiel, a new proposal from the council faction of Die Linke and Diepartei is causing bitter discussions: an overnight stay tax for tourists could soon become a reality. The implementation of such a tax would not only burden guests, but would also entail considerable bureaucratic effort for hoteliers. Florian Buchebner, operator of the Hotel “Birke” in Kiel, expressed his concerns clearly: “We will have discussions on site as to why this tax has to be paid and it is a burden on the guests.” These concerns are shared by the main players in the industry, who have spoken out in an open letter against the introduction of the so-called bed tax.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), the Dehoga (German Hotel and Restaurant Association) and the employers' association are united in their opposition to the proposal, which underlines the urgency of the issue. The planned tax has been criticized as it could jeopardize the city's attractiveness as a travel destination.
Polemics about taxes
Another argument comes from Sebastian Thiede, a representative of the CDU council group, who expresses concerns that an additional tax could deter potential guests. Tourism in Kiel brings the city annual income of over 23 million euros, and any further tax burden would potentially jeopardize this valuable contribution.
Future decisions in the town hall
The final decision on the introduction of the accommodation tax will be made on Thursday in the town hall. Although approval of the proposal is considered unlikely, the red-green majority is considering the extent to which a tax can be implemented without placing a significant burden on hoteliers. An example from Flensburg could serve as a model, where a bed tax of 7.5 percent has already been successfully introduced and the local hotel industry has accepted it.
The discussion about the bed tax should not be underestimated. The arguments from both sides are loud and passionate, reflecting the complexity of the issue. It remains to be seen whether the city of Kiel will decide to take this step, while those involved are looking forward to the outcome of the vote. For more details on these developments, see the report from www.focus.de be consulted.
The outcome of this decision could have far-reaching consequences for the tourism industry in Kiel and beyond and is therefore of great interest to both local players and visitors.