The Municipal Assembly of Porto approved by majority the change in the regulations of the Municipal Tourist Tax, which increases from two to three euros per night of stay throughout the city.
The change, discussed in the session that took place Monday night, had the favorable vote of the independent movement “Aqui Há Porto”, PSD, PS, BE, PAN, Chegaand with the abstention of the CDU and two deputies from the independent movement.
The increase in the value of the rate is justified by the expenses associated with tourism and borne by the municipality in 2023 in areas such as culture, heritage, environment, energy, quality of life, urban planning and mobility.
In 2023, the expenditure associated with tourism is around 15.5 million euros, which, divided by the 5.5 million overnight stays in the city, represents a cost of 2.81 euros per overnight stay.
On behalf of the CDU, Francisco Calheiros considered that some criteria of the Municipal Tourist Tax regulations could be improved, namely, the exemption for young people up to 16 years old or in the context of school visits.
“The study points to several paths and in a future discussion it could be taken into account,” said the deputy, arguing that it is not the tax that “is going to balance the problems generated by tourism in the city,” but “a tax integrated”. policies.”
Deputies Rui Nóvoa, from BE, and Paulo Vieira de Castro, from PAN, also highlighted that the municipality “could and should” expand the range of situations in which the value of the rate to be charged could vary and apply “another type of categorization”. ”, how to differentiate the value according to the classification of the hotels.
For the independence movement, Nuno Caiano highlighted that the Constitution “does not allow us to differentiate” the value of the tax to be applied, arguing, however, that it would make sense to “think about a VAT on tourism” even if this is not the case. “within the reach of the executive.”
Considering that the the change “is not limited to a financial decision”The social democrat Nuno Borges maintained that “it promotes justice and equity, allows investment in urban sustainability and reduces tourist pressure.”
Socialist Paula Roseira considered that the tax should be “a contribution to significant improvements” in the city and defended the need to convert its income into housing policies.
In response to this call, also shared by BE and CDU, the independent Nuno Caiano stated that the income “could be allocated to other items”, but that “it is the option of the executive.”
The session was scheduled to discuss the municipal budget for 2025, but an amendment approved by the majority of deputies determined the change of agenda, postponing its discussion until this Tuesday.
During the work, 11 motions, votes and recommendations were presented, some of which caused controversy, such as that of the independent movement “Aqui Há Porto” regarding the celebrations of November 25.
The session was also marked by the withdrawal of a citizen from the room during the period dedicated to public intervention.
The citizen, who referred to the attacks allegedly carried out by pro-Palestinian protesters in the city, criticized the position of the municipality of Porto on the matter, which did not please some deputies.
After asking her to finish her speech, and when she did not do so, the President of the Assembly asked the Municipal Police to remove the citizen from the room.
Source: Observadora
