With a 50% increase in the number of tourists expected over the next ten years, reaching 9.3 million overnight stays per year, Tallinn municipality wants to introduce a small tourism tax, Tallinn Deputy Mayor Margot Roose said on Tuesday, the 10th of December, in response to a document prepared by the Ministry of Economy, reports Estonian media ERR.
The tax could be between one and three euros per tourist, although detailed calculations have not yet been finalised, the deputy mayor said.
“It would help cover additional costs and improve infrastructure to welcome tourists,” said Roose, adding that the revenue from the tourist tax should go towards the development of local businesses and public spaces, i.e. it should be a targeted tax rather than a general tax.
A tax of such small size would not reduce the interest of tourists to visit Tallinn, Roose said.
“The experience of other cities also shows that if people want to come, they will not give up their trip for this reason,” she said.
The Deputy Mayor warned that if the number of cruise tourists again reaches 600 000 a year, Tallinn’s infrastructure, including public toilets, transport and roads, could face serious strain, especially during peak tourist arrivals.
Roose added that Tallinn can cope with up to 10 000 cruise tourists per day.