The European Travel Association (Etoa) has strongly criticised the recent increase in Paris’s overnight accommodation tax.
- The tax per person per night has risen significantly, affecting three to five-star hotels.
- This unexpected tax hike imposed without prior notice has been described as ‘unprecedented’ by Etoa.
- The surcharge aims to support regional infrastructure, but questions arise about the impact on tourism.
- With Paris set to host the Olympics, this decision could affect the city’s global image.
The European Travel Association (Etoa) has voiced strong opposition to the recent increase in the overnight accommodation tax in Paris, a move they have denounced as ‘unprecedented’. The updated rates, which came into effect starting January 1, significantly affect the cost per person per night, particularly in high-rated hotels.
Specifically, the tax has risen sharply, with five-star hotel guests now facing an overnight tax of €10.73, up from €3.75. Similarly, four-star accommodations have seen an increase from €2.88 to €8.13, and three-star hotels from €1.88 to €5.20. The tax remains applicable only to adults, exempting those under 18, but the financial impact on overall travel costs can be extensive.
Etoa has expressed concerns over the abrupt implementation of this surcharge, which came into effect following an addition to the Paris regional transport authority, Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), enabled by a newly published legal provision just days before the New Year. This adjustment, passed in the national budget on December 21 and published on December 29, has left many unprepared and scrambling to address the sudden change.
Etoa’s criticism highlights the surcharge as an opportunistic attempt to fund regional infrastructure at the expense of visitors and without considering the repercussions on tour operators and suppliers. The association has urgently engaged with local authorities, emphasising the lack of advance notice and the challenges it presents.
The tax applies to stays beginning in 2024 irrespective of booking dates, unless full payment was made before the end of 2023, potentially sidestepping the increased costs through contractual agreements. This new scenario forces businesses to choose between absorbing the increased expense, transferring it to clients, or negotiating payment on arrival, with low-margin entities particularly vulnerable.
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games, Etoa warns that such a measure could tarnish the city’s image on the global stage, making it an unfortunate start to what should be a celebratory and inviting year for international visitors.
The sudden rise in Paris’s accommodation tax presents significant challenges for the tourism sector and its stakeholders.
