Registration was closed on Friday for Auckland’s last annual plan.
Photo: 123rf
Hotelers hope to convince Auckland’s advice not to proceed with their proposed bed tax rather than asking for a national solution.
Registrations were closed on Friday for the latest annual Auckland Council plan, which includes a proposal for a visitor rate of 2.5 to 3 % in short -term accommodations.
NZ Hospitality Chief Executive Steve Armitage said the sector supported a bed tax, but not in the way Auckland’s advice was proposing.
“We are less favorable to a region approach by region, we prefer to see a unique size for everyone ‘do it once, do it correctly’ to introduce this mechanism,” said Armitage.
“If we have individual regions that introduce them to an ad-hoc base, it creates confusion and variable rates being applied across the country. It is better to have a consistent approach that everyone understands.”
Hotel Council Aotearoa represented 57 hotels in Auckland and took a similar position to the hospitality of New Zealand.
“If we will have a new form of tourism tax in New Zealand, this should be done once and well and well,” said strategic director James Doolan.
“We have to give [visitors] A unified and consistent tourist experience because many international travelers travel the country. “
He said that proceeding with a local tax for bed would be a risky venture.
“Tourism is of vital importance to the economy of New Zealand, almost 300,000 people working in the sector so that we cannot risk doing something that does not work or only works for two or three years,” said Doolan.
“We need to work hard to build consensus. An Auckland approach is a mistake because the industry cannot be expected to negotiate individually with all the many small advice for New Zealand.”
“I hope the main advice like Auckland’s advice, as Queenstown, try a little more to understand industry’s concerns and work with us for a solution.”
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