Berlin’s city government is placing a 5 percent tax on tourist hotel stays from this summer as one aspect of efforts to shore up the German capital’s finances.
What is being referred to as a “city tax” is to be charged on overnight stays in hotels and other accommodation such as youth hostels and camping sites starting July 1. Business-related stays are being exempted, however.
At the current time it is not clear how the authorities will differentiate one visitor from another.
Berlin has become a popular city break destination over recent years. Its importance has also risen as a result of the German government’s move from Bonn in 1999.
The city government said Tuesday it hopes to raise $33 million a year from the levy as it tries to bolster its finances.