“U brief but important note on the shameful evolution of tourist charges in Portugal. Shameful, primarily due to the deception. They are not charges because they do not have any visible return service; they are not tourist related because they are paid by those working across the country, further increasing contextual costs,” stated Pedro Costa Ferreira.
The official, speaking at the opening of the 50th National Congress of APAVT to an audience of over 1,000 participants connected to the tourism sector, argued that “tourist charges are yet another attack by weak politicians on strong markets, bleeding those who, by working more and better, produce more results.”
In the audience was the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, who was nonetheless not included in the criticisms made by the official.
“I know well, Dr. Pedro Machado, that it is not under your jurisdiction. If I bring this issue to the congress, it is because I believe that the guardianship of balance, common sense, and market defense is a task for all of us,” he added.
On July 23, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services advocated for “the rationalization” of the application of the tourist charge in Portugal, stating that its current disparity and municipal management do not always ensure “added value and advantage” for the sector.
During a lunch-debate organized by the International Club of Portugal, Pedro Machado stated that “tourist charges must also have a rationale,” warning about the situation of different municipalities applying charges ranging from “one euro” to “four euros,” some for “six months or nine months,” which, according to him, “should not be so.”
Regarding the autonomy of municipalities in setting these charges, the Secretary of State acknowledged that “while the State should not interfere in what is the administrative and financial autonomy of municipalities, it can, on the other hand, create regulations that can rationalize what is indeed the application of the tourist charge.”
At the time, he highlighted his disagreement with the fact that Portuguese people working in Portugal and traveling from one place to another for work have to pay this charge.
On the same day, on the sidelines of the debate, Pedro Machado explained that he feels “the initial spirit of the charge, created to offset the footprint of tourism on territories, is often being distorted.”
“It is in this distortion that I find a similarity with other municipal taxes and charges, such as the IMI, which already has national regulation,” he argued, adding that, similarly, the tourist charge could follow this path.
When asked in July whether the Government is already working on the matter, Pedro Machado replied only: “It is a concern of ours.”
The 50th National Congress of APAVT, concluding on December 4, has the theme “75 years looking to the future” and marks the culmination of the association’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
Pedro Costa Ferreira announced today that 1,039 congress participants arrived, coming from “172 different flights” to Macau, which hosts this event for the sixth time.
