As the Algarve’s mayors continue with the uncertainty over the proposed tourist tax, Porto’s city fathers have given a strong indication that the money raised will have little to do with tourism and everything to do with replacing general public spending.
AMAL, the Algarve’s mayor’s group, voted to impose a tourist tax to fund projects to do with ... tourism. This decision now has to be ratified on a council-by-council basis and it is already clear that various Council Assemblies will vote down the proposal, creating a patchwork of tourist tax Councils, unable easily to fund general projects as not all municipalities contributed.
Porto Council today announced that part of its tourist tax revenue will be used to buy ten new police cars, which the Public Security Police, “have been lacking.” This will make, “city patrolling more effective.”
Porto's Mayor, Rui Moreira, commemorating 80 years of the local Police, aims to buy, "electric or low-emission vehicles, which will mitigate the security problems that the increased number of people causes in the city."
Moreira hoped, although this is by no means certain or even under discussion, that the government will pay for more officers to sit in the new vehicles.
The mayor said the city is regenerating fast, physically, culturally and socially, with security and supervision being "absolutely crucial." This is why, said the mayor, the Council wants to facilitate the provision of extra officers by the State.
The Assistant Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, Isabel Oneto, underlined the importance of a collaboration to strengthen the Public Security Police.
"This collaboration and support is always very welcome. As we all know, we are in the process of acquiring vehicles, but if the police can have more, for sure we will all win," she said.
According to Oneto, besides the government’s acquisition of new vehicles, with a total of 2,200 to be distributed to the PSP and the GNR nationally, "the government is still investing in personal protection equipment and infrastructure, for example, in Porto."
Comments
Direct funding c.q. foreign aid c.q. tourist tax from the tourists to hospitals, police, fire department etc. would directly benefit the poor.
Of witch there are many in Portugal. Generally the Camara's are closer to the people and are more willing to spent the tourist tax for de wellbeing of the community. At the moment the extra income from the tourist that go's to the Government, has to pass to many Middle Men
" The Government" . To little is left for the well being of the poor, Public Hospitals , minimum income and Police.
Marjolein clearly is not an economics afficionado...
The tourist tax should be even higher and directly used for the extra expenses.
There is good reason that the vast majority of top tourism cities do not impose such a tax - these capitals benefit far more by encouraging their overseas customers, not by dissuading them.
Porto now is rolling in tourism money and should get its city up to speed, not continue in the grand Portuguese tradition of expecting someone else to pay for everything.
Replacing central government funding by tourist taxes is an incredible foolish precedent.
It's an idiotic plan. Next will be hospital equipment, then coastal defences and water pollution measures - all things that central government should be doing with taxpayers' money.