Airbnb proposes new tourism tax model for Amsterdam

Airbnb has today shared proposals for a new tourism tax model in Amsterdam in order to better spread tourism and its benefits. The proposals come as the City Government is currently discussing how to raise an additional €105 million from tourism by 2021. Airbnb is also announcing today that it has remitted over €25 million in tourism tax in Amsterdam since 2015.

Under the proposals, Airbnb wants to increase tourism tax in crowded areas for all overnight guests – whether they stay in a hotel, bed&breakfast or a home – to incite Dutch and international visitors to stay outside the city centre. This would act to decrease the pressure on the city centre and backs the ambition of the City Government to better spread tourism. Airbnb also wants to involve more citizens in the spending process and let Amsterdammers decide how to spend this important tax revenue – approximately €80 million per year. This will ensure that regular Amsterdammers who are confronted daily with tourism can start reaping the benefits from tourism.

In Palermo for example, Airbnb recently partnered with the Mayor and allowed the citizens of Palermo to choose which community project could benefit from tourism tax revenues. Thanks to this partnership, money will now be invested in the recovery of a degraded area in the city and the construction of a community kitchen which will hold culinary workshops for its residents.  

“Airbnb’s vision is to ensure as many people as possible benefit from tourism. With these proposals, tourism revenues for the city will go up, tourism will be better spread and citizens will be more involved in tourism policies. We are committed to continue working with the city government on solutions that work and make Amsterdam a better place to live and visit.”

Pieter Guldemond, Public Policy Manager at Airbnb in the Netherlands

New data
Airbnb is also announcing it has collected and remitted over €25 million in tourism tax on behalf of hosts and guests to Amsterdam since 2015. Amsterdam was one of the first cities in Europe to collaborate with Airbnb on simplified tourism tax processes and to date, Airbnb has collected and remitted more than €910 million ($1 billion) in tourist taxes in more than 400 jurisdictions around the world.

Pieter Guldemond added: “We are proud to help hosts contribute financially to their city and will continue to lead our industry on this matter. We look forward to working with more communities across the Netherlands and help more hosts pay their fair share of tax and giving locals a say on how to invest public funds.”