City of Berlin to tax hotel visitors in 2013

 

Nov 18 (Reuters Life!) - Tourists visiting Berlin will see the price of their hotel stays rise by five percent in January 2013, when the indebted city implements a new tax on hotels to help balance its budget.

 

Europe's third most visited capital after London and Paris, Berlin draws foreigners and Germans alike to take in the city's rich and troubled history amidst a thriving cafe culture. Some 20 million nights were spent in hotel rooms last year alone.

"We want Berlin to get richer and stay sexy," said Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit this week, playing on his known slogan Berlin is "poor but sexy." City officials say they hope to rake in at least 20 million euros ($27 mln) with the new tax. (more)