Politicians in Southeast oppose higher tourist tax: "This is annexed territory"

Local politicians from the BAZ and VVD parties in Amsterdam Zuidoost have formally advised against increasing the tourist tax in their district. They argue that the primary issues driving the tax hike, such as overcrowding and tourist nuisance in the city center, do not exist in Zuidoost. The politicians expressed concern that the policy would harm the local economy and weaken the competitive position of hotels compared to neighboring municipalities like Diemen and Duivendrecht, where the tax is not being raised. They described their area as geographically detached from the rest of the city.

The proposed tax increase aims to raise the rate from 12.5 percent to 16 percent, with further annual increments reaching 20 percent by the end of the current term. Despite support from other parties, the motion to exempt Zuidoost failed to gain a majority in the district committee, as D66, ChristenUnie, and PRO voted against it. Consequently, the city's plan to proceed with the tax increase remains unchanged.