The city council of Venice in Italy has announced that they will not implement the so-called “tourist tax” until 2023. The controversial measure, which would have applied to people staying overnight in the historic centre, was due to come into effect on January 2021, but it has now been postponed indefinitely.
Venice is one of the most travelled cities in Italy, and witnesses a massive number of day-trippers, including some of the biggest Bollywood stars . The city first started talking about the tourist fee in 2019, but it was put off, due to the pandemic.
What is the Tourist Tax?
The Tourist Tax is a tax levied on tourists and visitors in certain areas for various reasons. While a few impose the tax to curb the influx of tourists, others treat it as a revenue-generating mechanism. The funds raised through the tax are used to improve infrastructure and services in tourist areas. The tax is typically a percentage of the cost of accommodation and is often added to the bill at hotels and other establishments.
The Tourist Tax is used to fund various public services and infrastructure projects that are geared towards improving the quality of life for residents and tourists alike. This tax is typically imposed on items such as hotel stays, souvenirs, and other purchases made by tourists.
Reasons for Postponing the Venice’s Tourist Tax
There are several reasons why the tourist tax has been postponed in the city of canals, Venice. One reason is that the government wants to encourage tourism and let businesses cover the income gap of the last 2 pandemic-hit years. Another reason is that the tax would be difficult to collect. Finally, the tax might discourage people from visiting the country.
The postponement of the tourist tax gives the government more time to develop a plan for how to best use the revenue, and it also gives opponents of the tax more time to make their case. It is possible that the tourist tax will eventually be implemented, but it is also possible that it will be permanently shelved.
Current Situation for Venice
The current situation in Venice is dire. The city is gradually sinking, and there is little to no money to fund repairs. Being one of the most romantic and artistic places to visit in Italy , it has been overwhelmed by tourism.
Reports claim- Venice received 80,000 tourists per day and about 25 million visitors per year before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many of the buildings are in disrepair. The canals are dirty, and there is a lot of crime. Many Venetians are leaving the city, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living there.
As of late, the city of Venice has been hit hard by a number of issues. The most pressing concern is the high water levels that have been flooding the city. This has caused extensive damage to many of the buildings and infrastructure in Venice and has made life very difficult for residents. In addition to this, there have also been a number of fires that have broken out here.
As a result of all these problems, Venice is currently in a very difficult situation, which is why the government of Venice has imposed taxes. But this resulted in a lesser number of tourists in the region, which eventually affected the revenue of the city, hence, now the Government of Venice has delayed the Tourist tax till 2023 to attract tourists to this amazing place and revive tourism economy.
After reading, you might be intrigued to visit Venice, once in your lifetime, at least before the tax is imposed. If you are one of those people who dreamt of visiting Venice, then Rayna Tours is here to help you out.
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