Amsterdam is raising its tourist tax from 12.5% to 20% by 2031 to curb crowding and disruption in the city centre. The increase will give Amsterdam the highest tourist tax in the world.
Because Weesp merged into the municipality of Amsterdam in 2022, the higher rate automatically applies there as well. Local operators argue the policy makes little sense in a place with far more cows than visitors.
Calls for tailored tax rules
Albert Hooijer, a dairy farmer in Weesp who rents out guest accommodation on weekends, addressed a municipal council committee meeting on Thursday evening. He urged councillors to allow tailored tax rates, noting that the rural area cannot be compared to central Amsterdam.
A majority of the city council supported the idea, including the opposition and coalition party Pro. The party asked aldewoman Melanie van der Horst to re-examine whether farms could receive an exemption.
Van der Horst said she takes the issue seriously but noted that previous reviews ran into legal obstacles. She agreed to look again at whether farm stays could qualify for an exception.
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