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Algarve tourism chief slams new 'Tourist Tax'

beachPescadoresAlbufeiraThe recently appointed head of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) slammed the announcement that the region’s mayors have voted to introduce a ‘tourist tax.’

Joao Fernandes disagrees with the move, its timing and the chosen model, a position that he says is endorsed by the presidents of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve and the Association of Hoteliers of the Algarve.

At a meeting of the Intermunicipal Council (AMAL) in Castro Marim today, Council mayors approved the introduction of a tourist tax of €1.5 'per head per night,' to be levied between March and October, for the first seven days of an Algarve holiday.

"This is a wrong decision, which is works against tourist demand and can generate loss of competitiveness for the Algarve destination," stated the RTA leader.

According to Fernandes, the tourist tax comes at a time when there is "a strong recovery of competing destinations to the Algarve," such as Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, with the last three" not subject to European competition rules and showing very aggressive prices,"

The president of the RTA said that the tourist tax is not comparable with the tax charged in Lisbon and Porto as these are short stay destinations, popular with couples, whereas the Algarve is a family holiday destination with extended stays."

João Fernandes expressed surprise at the fact that AMAL is not using any part of the tax to promote the region as a destination, but spending it on ill-defined local projects. He also is surprised that the tax is unlikely to be the same in each Council area, thus “generating inequalities within the region and weakening the destination as a whole."

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Comments  

+1 #6 Abreu 2019-02-28 11:56
Quoting Stefan Drew:
This morning we are booking a holiday. Lots of potential destinations to go to. And seeing how we will be taxed in the algarve we are going to Madeira instead.
How many other people will be driven away?


Beware where you're going because you also have a municipal tax in Santa Cruz, Madeira...
It's not only the Algarve (a resort destination) doing the poor choices.
+3 #5 Terry P 2018-09-23 22:28
We are supposed to being to atracting tourists, not turning them away.
+3 #4 Margaridaana 2018-09-23 13:42
I agree that it is not the amount of the tax which is the problem, rather the principle. In fact, tourists pay tax on pretty much everything here from the moment they step off the plane. Some will not be deterred, but many will and will think twice about returning. Holidays are becoming more expensive due to lack of 'cheap' flights', baggage charges, seat allocation charges etc. and this is yet another add on.
+7 #3 stefan Drew 2018-09-23 07:28
Quoting Chip:
Quoting Stefan Drew:
This morning we are booking a holiday. Lots of potential destinations to go to. And seeing how we will be taxed in the algarve we are going to Madeira instead.
How many other people will be driven away?


I don't think that €10.50 per person will change many people's holiday choice. Considering the enormous impact and the cost implications created by hundreds and thousands of tourists, I find it hard to justify all the profits going to hotel and apartment owners and central government (via VAT).


It's not the size of the sum concerned. It's the principle of the thing and the fact we feel we are being ripped off with this tax.

Once news of this tax spreads the numbers quietly going elsewhere will undoubtedly increase. The sad thing is no survey can show the magnitude of the problem when those choosing elsewhere cannot be identified.
-1 #2 Chip 2018-09-22 13:21
Quoting Stefan Drew:
This morning we are booking a holiday. Lots of potential destinations to go to. And seeing how we will be taxed in the algarve we are going to Madeira instead.
How many other people will be driven away?


I don't think that €10.50 per person will change many people's holiday choice. Considering the enormous impact and the cost implications created by hundreds and thousands of tourists, I find it hard to justify all the profits going to hotel and apartment owners and central government (via VAT).
+3 #1 Stefan Drew 2018-09-22 07:31
This morning we are booking a holiday. Lots of potential destinations to go to. And seeing how we will be taxed in the algarve we are going to Madeira instead.
How many other people will be driven away?

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