Lagoa Council may well decide against the new Algarve Tourist Tax, joining Silves council in voting against the controversial measure when it comes up for debate in their Council Assemblies.
The Mayor of Lagoa, Francisco Martins, voted in favour of the tax at a key meeting of AMAL, the Algarve mayors’ association, but he is not convinced that the tax will receive a positive vote in Lagoa when it is debated and voted on next year.
Martins explained to his Councillors at last night's Municipal Assembly that the tourist tax proposal only establishes the rules and amount to be charged by those Councils that vote to go ahead with the measure.
In Lagoa’s case, martins says he is reticent to implement the tax and now will look at all the various taxes which local tourism companies already are subject to and evaluate the consequences of yet another one.
This will take the Council until at least next April so the chances of an early introduction of the €1.50-a-night tourist tax are slim.
Earlier in September, AMAL voted for the tourist tax to be applied for the first seven days of a stay in AL or hotel accommodation between March and October, (HERE).
Only the Silves Mayor, Rosa Palma, voted against the tax.
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